Portland Community College
ER-2: Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign

Take Back the Tap: all four campuses have led initiatives to replace water fountains with units that allow students and staff to refill water bottles with clean, cold water. These changes were accompanied by several campaigns designed to make students more aware about how plastic bottle consumption adds to the carbon emission output by contributing to our waste system. There have been a variety of efforts to educate the campus community about how the use of plastic water bottles impact our ecosystem. The ASPCC Cascade Bike Program launched in January 2012 to increase access to affordable, reliable and sustainable transportation. Through the integration of long-term bike loans, education and recreation, the Cascade Bike Program will enhance the physical and cultural development of students. As a resource for alternative transportation, we will minimize our campus and community environmental impact. The goal of the program is to connect PCC Cascade students to bicycles. We loan commute-ready bikes for a term, or consecutive terms. We provide volunteer opportunities. The Bike Program is administered through ASPCC Cascade. The Bike Program is an important step in PCC's commitment to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment. Bikes may be checked out for the duration of one or a maximum or three consecutive terms. A usage fee of $15 per term will be due at the time of the contract/check out. Sylvania Learning Garden—The ASPCC at Sylvania usually gives one of their training days to working in the learning garden. The students have funded gardening tools for use in the learning garden, spent a day planting perennials in the child development center play areas and surrounds. The Sustainability Senator works closely with the E-Center on projects and educational campaigns as well as with the Faculty. Working with one of the PCC-Sylvania Divisions, ASPCC has funded part of the E-Cycling event for several years. Additionally, student leaders have volunteered to advertise and work the event.

Pedal Power: the students purchased a bike system that generates power for music events and speakers. Even though this system makes a tiny imprint on the carbon emissions of the college, it has provided our community with a better understanding and awareness about energy use and the amount of power need to light up our institution and homes. Rock Creek Learning Garden and Loop System: the Student Leadership Program not only supports the learning garden financially, but with human power as well. The students have led campaigns to get their peers into our learning garden to keep it functioning. Over 500 volunteer hours were put into the learning garden via the student and faculty-ed initiatives. Electronic waste is the fastest growing part of our country's waste stream, containing both re-usable materials and hazardous waste: dismantling them requires proper facilities and worker protection. However, most electronic waste has been shipped illegally to third world countries, where it is broken down by unprotected workers, poisoning their food and water. The E-Cycle event at the Sylvania campus allows community members to dispose of their electronic waste safely and securely in a sustainable manner.