Oberlin noted for environmental actions

OEC recognizes the College for reduction efforts

Oberlin College was honored for its dedication to waste reduction, energy conservation and resource management in a late August report by the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC).

The OEC report cites Oberlin as a learning laboratory for student participation and efforts toward sustainability. OEC executive director Vicki Deisner said, "The Black River is better off because of these forward-thinking, voluntary efforts. We commend these Ohio organizations as true pollution prevention pioneers."

A variety of efforts have brought attention to Oberlin's environmentalism. The College's move to florescent lights and use of a new digital system to control building temperature were two actions that won accolades. These changes saved $340,000 in energy costs.

In 1990, the dorms used 3.6 billion gallons of water, but in 1992, after low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators and low-flow toilets valves were installed, water use in dorms was down 40 percent.

The College has undertaken a massive recycling program, including paper, plastic, aluminum and glass. For example, Oberlin Shorts has cut paper use in student mailings by 79 percent. The College also recycles old fluorescent lamps and gives away composted grass and leaves.

A large part of the organization for these improvements has come from the Source Reduction Group (SRG). The SRG was established in 1996 with help from the Gund Family Foundation, Inform and Ohio Citizens Action. SRG Founder Cheryl Wolfe said, "We saw a few trends. People were concerned with paper waste, water consumption, and energy consumption."

SRG is now studying the possibility of combining the College's and city's compost into one facility. They are also planning an inventory of Oberlin's dumpsters. SRG volunteers post bulletin boards in dorms, run anti-junk-mail campaigns and help with recycling. One recycling effort involves making old computer paper into notebooks, which are quite popular this year, according to Wolfe.

Waste reduction in dining halls is an ongoing challenge, especially with the revamped Dascomb dining hall. During the first week, the wrong kind of carryout containers were ordered and excessive waste was generated. SRG is working to help recycling run smoothly.

Student involvement was crucial to many projects. Last semester, students researched and wrote a report titled Oberlin and the Biosphere. The report was a major source for OEC.

Three other nearby companies received praise. A waste management company, Chemtron Corporation, can now remove mercury from fluorescent lamps without releasing toxic vapors into the air. The Nordson Corporation uses a water-based system instead of chemicals to clean machine parts. USS/KOBE Steel Company reduced energy consumption and air pollution.