Almost 40 years ago, “Earth Day” was introduced to make people aware of our environment. Sometime later, the 3-R phrase; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle became part of our daily existence. These ideals have stood the test of time. The new buzz words, “Going Green” and “Sustainability” continue in the same vein and are at least as relevant - if not more so - today.
Hats-off AGAIN to Administrative Services Division Facilities’ Grounds Crew for demonstrating innovation and proving that “Going Green” can also save you some green!
First, it was the “TrashMaster” that was featured in the MCC Tribune and 2 national magazines for innovative and resourceful efforts to recycle a Chevy Cavalier into a trash collection vehicle. The cost: a mere $800 - a far cry from the $45K-$50K price tag for a commercial cleaner to do the same job.
Now, other members of the Grounds Crew have demonstrated their ingenuity, resourcefulness, and “Going Green” prowess with the construction of a new open patio situated on the northwest side of the large pond east of Buildings 4 and 12.
Grounds Crew member Erik Melvin, with the support and assistance of Crew leader, Eric Mendel, built an amazing and beautiful multi-level patio at the water’s edge consisting almost entirely of scrapped and unutilized material MCC already had on-hand! A few small exceptions required the purchase of 36 specially shaped bricks (and mortar) for the stair treads and corners totaling approximately $230.
The patio project sparked yet further creativity with the design of landscape beds by MCC Horticulturist Greg Nickason. Greg, assisted by fellow Grounds Crew member Mike Wichtowski, planted beautiful landscaping around the patio, also using material already on-hand. Only a few key plants were purchased for roughly $600.
Total project cost: about $900. That’s a remarkable savings from the $17K-$25K one would expect to spend for a similar project using all newly purchased materials.
Nice job guys - demonstrating sustaining our environment through reusing and recycling existing materials in a most beautiful and cost effective Going-Green fashion!
Finally, a special acknowledgment and thanks to student aides Alex Fess and Jonathan Ford for their assistance and contributions on the new patio.
Donna Utter
Facilities
12/14/2009 |