Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the article “College Recycling searches for improvements” published in The Et Cetera. Regarding the quote, “the overall success of Eastfield College recycling is dismal” is incorrect.

Recycling is a component of the Sustainability Program and is progressing well. EFC is always looking for improvements.

Eight years ago, EFC had no formal sustainability program until Dr. Jean Conway, president, recognized that we could make a difference in our community by being more concerned for our environment. Some accomplishments made with a near zero budget are as follows:

1. Trees are almost everywhere on campus.  EFC is a Designated Tree Campus by Tree Campus USA (five years).  Leadership, Mr. Michael Brantley and Mr. Cliff Mauvais have made this a beautiful campus.

2. Carpet patches are on many of the floors allowing for tiny repairs instead of wasting huge lengths of carpet.

3. There are water machines on campus enabling people to fill personal water bottles and minimize wasteful plastic bottles.

4. We have low-flush toilets, electrical sensor light saving switches, a station for the Cease the Grease Program, drip sprinkler systems, two solar arrays and an electric power producing windmill. Subway has eliminated plastic bags. We’ve added an on-campus community garden, brick sidewalks allowing for the earth to move and breathe, protocols for saving energy, solar picnic tables and an Arbor Day event. A Sustainability Scholar academic certificate is being developed.

The Et Cetera is viewed as a partner with EFC for improving sustainability.  Together we can improve our environment. Thank you for this partnership.

Sincerely,
Dr. Terrance J. Wickman
Sustainability Coordinator and Mathematics Professor