Commitment
Glendale Community College (GCC) is a strong proponent of sustainability with many initiatives in place which are actively supported by students, faculty and staff. In line with GCC’s commitment to sustainability, we have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2025 through the signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2011.
The Sustainability Board, chaired by Vice President of Administrative Services, Augustine Erpelding, works with the Green Efforts Committee, Environmental Club, and academic members of the Sustainability degree & certificate programs to incorporate sustainable ideas and programs in the administration of the college.
The list of green efforts at the main and North campuses have continued to flourish through the years, for example:
- Energy conservation: temperature set points, LED light bulbs, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, sensors to reduce energy & resource usage, LEED-designed buildings, locally-sourced building materials, meatless cafeteria menu, telecommuting policy and more.
- Water conservation: landscaping without the use of irrigation, environmentally-friendly chemicals & cleaners.
- Plastic & paper use reduction: water bottle fill stations, reusable cups, increase the use of aluminum cans vs plastic, paper-reduction pledge.
- Recycling & waste reduction: e-cycling events, zero waste program, co-mingled recycling bins.
- Bee Campus USA Affiliate: GCC is an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators. GCC was the first college in Arizona to be named a Bee Campus and joins with other campuses across the country who are united in improving their landscapes for pollinators.
- Maricopa Native Seed Library at GCC Main Library: The Maricopa Native Seed Library provides free, native seed to the community, as well as education and information to make it easy to incorporate these plants into your yards, patios and balconies. Anyone can include some native plants into their residences, whether you have a lot of space or a small apartment.
- GCC has developed a Climate Action Plan.
- Earth Day Celebrations: GCC celebrates Earth Day every spring semester with the involvement of students, faculty, and staff. Typical celebrations involve sustainable vendors and guest speakers to educate all stakeholders in sustainability.
Celebrating Success
Through our campus-wide commitment to sustainability, GCC has won awards for many of our programs GCC is working on lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The state-mandated Trip Reduction Program provides discounted bus passes and other commuting alternative opportunities (carpool, vanpool, bike racks) to its employees and students to help lessen emissions.
Get more information
To learn more about the sustainability efforts of the Maricopa County Community College District, please visit the MCCCD Sustainability page.