Members of the SRJC community have long been committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability efforts. New buildings have been thoughtfully designed to green building standards, solar panels have been installed on many buildings, and recycling bins have been placed on college sites for decades.

Many other sustainability activities continue that may not be so obvious. One amazing example is the innovative geothermal heat pump that was installed in the new Bertolini Student Center on the Santa Rosa Campus. This system, which relies on the consistent temperatures below ground, reduces energy needs on both warm and cold days, resulting in significant energy and cost savings for the College. Other unseen sustainability efforts include reuse of office and classroom furniture, repurposing of computers, and the collection of office paper, bottles, cans, and hazardous waste for recycling at local waste management facilities.

To learn much more about SRJC’s green facilities, access the Sustainable Facilities page of this Web site. There are many green features and activities on both the Santa Rosa Campus and the Petaluma Campus that highlight how highly sustainable SRJC is.

As faculty and staff, we recognize that there’s always more that we can do to reduce our impact on the environment and to strengthen our sustainability measures on our college sites and in our daily lives. The following links lead to helpful information that can impact your sustainable choices.
 

Recycling

The College has a longstanding and successful recycling program. Paper recycling is provided in office locations. Bottle and can recycling bins are located throughout the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses. SRJC’s staff and faculty play an important role across the college to ensure an effective recycling program. Facilities is operating a small pilot program for faculty and staff to adopt recycling bins at the Santa Rosa Campus If you would like to participate in the pilot by sponsoring a recycling bin in your area, contact Guy Tilotson gtillotson@santarosa.edu.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste are materials that can no longer be used and are regulated as potential hazards to people or the environment. They may be chemical, biological, or radiological in nature. Contact SRJC’s Environmental Health & Safety to find out how to dispose of hazardous waste properly.

 

Recycling and Waste Reduction at Home

According to the USEPA, each person generates approximately 4.5 pounds of waste per day. Efforts in California have significantly reduced the amount of waste that is discarded, however, more still needs to be done.

Residents of Sonoma County are fortunate to have access to an inclusive recycling program that accepts a variety of materials, including mixed plastics, juice packages, and plastic bags in addition to traditional recyclables like paper, bottles, and cans. Residents are also provided with bins for organic recycling. Food scraps and yard trimmings can be placed in the yard waste bin. This material is composted and used as a soil amendment.

 

Think “Reduce and Reuse” Before You Recycle

Before you put a bottle or can in the recycling bin, think about what you can do to reduce or reuse it before you need to discard it in the recycling bin. The following information offers ideas about how you can reduce waste and recycle in Sonoma County.

 

Reducing

• Reduce junk mail. If you are annoyed with the quantity of junk mail you receive, have your name removed from direct mail lists. The following links can help.
  • Sonoma County Waste Management Authority
  • Direct Marketing Association
• Bring your own bags. Many local retailers, like Trader Joe’s and Big John Market, Whole Foods, Safeway, and Oliver’s, sell reusable bags that you can use each time you shop. Don’t forget to put your bags back in your car and take them with you when you shop.
• Use reusable cups and bottles. You can also choose to use reusable coffee cups and water bottles to save a significant amount of resources.
• Buy durable products rather than disposable items.
• Donate reusable items. Consider donating items that you no longer need to non-profit organizations. There are many options for donations in Sonoma County.

 

Recycling at Home

Sonoma County residents are provided with recycling for a variety of materials. For a complete list of what can and cannot be recycled, see the Sonoma County Recycling Guide.