What We're Doing

We've joined the U.S. Green Building Council
Moraine Valley has joined the U.S. Green Building Council, a group dedicated to a more sustainable nation through the creation and support of energy-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly buildings. As a member, Moraine Valley will be able to connect with thousands of member companies, local affiliates and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals throughout the country. Moraine Valley is in the midst of construction on the Southwest Education Center in Tinley Park, which will be the college’s first LEED certified building.

Going Green

Take a look at what’s happening:

• Two-sided printing is now the standard on campus.

• Faculty and staff can send their documents for printing via e-mail to Reprographics instead of using paper.

• The campus is using more recycled paper.

• The Southwest Education Center to be built in Tinley Park will be the college’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building. The center is expected to be completed by summ er 2010.

• The Fine and Performing Arts Center replaced all concession supplies with fully compostable materials and purchased a composter. The coffee and tea served is organic and purchased from fair-trade companies. Concession snacks contain healthier options and reduced packaging. The theater is beginning a multiyear project to replace the lighting equipment with more energy-efficient models, thereby resulting in thousands of dollars of annual savings to the college.

• Additional recycling bins have been placed throughout the campus.

Practicing What We Preach
The most recent data available on Moraine Valley recycling shows that during a 12-month period the college recycled:

• 19 tons of paper

• 14.4 tons of automotive metals

• 5 tons of commingled containers (including aluminum and plastic)

• 1.2 tons of oil

• 15.8 tons of wooden pallets

• Nearly 1 ton of tires

Green Team visits geothermal Little Red Schoolhouse
Moraine Valley Green Team members (from left) Eric Hince, Don Arnold, Ellen Rowe, Al Meroz, Michelle Zurawski, Anette D’Silva, and Richard Fordon, project manager for Madison Construction, learned more about geothermal heating and cooling during a visit to the Little Red Schoolhouse in nearby Willow Springs.

The Green Team and Deb Rowe
Green Team members received an extra jolt of motivation after hearing Dr. Debra Rowe, president of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, speak at the fall 2008 In-service. The group was able to talk with her during a luncheon meeting and gain more insight into how to help the campus go more “green.” "Culture in society is such that people are comfortable, and it is hard to change habits but change is necessary for the future," Dr. Rowe said. Learn more by viewing Dr. Rowe’s Powerpoint, Creating a Better and More Sustainable Future: Opportunities and Resources for You.

Newest College Facility Takes the LEED in Efficiency
The Southwest Education Center at 179th Street and 94th Avenue in Tinley Park, expected to be completed by summer 2010, is Moraine Valley’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building with green building features and a high-performance design.

Integration of high-performance mechanical building systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, natural daylight, high-efficient lighting, low-volatile organic compound; and recycled materials into the overall building design is intended to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy consumption while educating students and the community about the benefits of a high-performance, “green” building design.

A flat roof surface will be covered with either a white/reflective membrane system and/or a vegetative (green) roof.

A geothermal heating and cooling system is planned. The use of a geothermal system will help further reduce the building's overall energy consumption. To further conserve energy, the design will maximize the use of “daylighting” throughout the building. Maximizing daylight in the building will minimize electric lighting demands and thereby reduce the cooling load of the building. Current building design maximizes the use of “daylighting” through the use of strategically located windows, louvers, and light shelves and through the implementation of daylight-compensating lighting controls that will reduce the need for artificial lighting as the natural daylight is maximized. Recycled materials will be used wherever possible.

Moraine Valley Status as Sustainable Community College