Sustainable Peralta

The long, rectangular lights (containing high-efficiency fluorescent lamps) will replace the circular lights (containing high-intensity discharge lamps).

In December 2008, Peralta completed a massive lighting upgrade through Enlight Energy Efficient Lighting of Pleasanton: retrofitting 9,000 lighting fixtures at Laney College and Merritt College to save an estimated $90,000 on nearly 800,000 kWh of electricity every year.

The project reduces Peralta’s carbon footprint by nearly 1 million lbs. of CO2 every year. This is the equivalent to approximately 73 average North American homes or 50 average North American sedans (source: BEF carbon calculator). Peralta will receive $133,000 in rebates from PG&E for this project, which will help pay 30% of the $431,000 price tag. Then, after 4 years, the District will have full recovered the cost of the project through savings on the utility bill.

“The savings realized through sustainability projects is a win-win for the environment and for academics,” says Dr. Sadiq B. Ikharo, Vice Chancellor of General Services for the Peralta Community College District. “This is just the beginning of Peralta’s Energy Master Planning and Implementation process that will reduce energy use and make more funds available to the classroom in a time of budget cuts.” … continue reading »

Assistant Warehouse Supervisor Ken Hall receives another shipment of 100% PCW paper.

Peralta took another major step towards sustainable operations this past year when the District Purchasing Department began to buy 100% Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) content recycled paper for the majority of Peralta’s copying and printing. Give Something Back business producsts delivered our first order of paper in March of 2007, and college’s began to receive the paper as early as April, as they finished using their old paper and the Warehouse supplied them with the new eco-friendly paper. … continue reading »

Many people are still not aware of the importance of recycling. And, despite the prevalence recycling at home in the Oakland Bay Area, many Peralta students and faculty remain confused about what exactly can be recycled in Peralta’s recycling bins. Even the handful of self-proclaimed recycling experts may pause to consider some everyday items. A juice-box, for example: paper exterior, plastic coated interior… does that mean it’s recyclable? Raising awareness and educating the community about recycling at Peralta is the mission of the Colleges’ 2nd class of Recycling Education Interns.

Brhett Skipper

Brhett Skipper

Berkeley City College

Brhett Skipper currently takes courses at Berkeley City College to gain more skills to augment his experiences in music and massage therapy. He is a licensed massage therapist and envisions opening his own massage therapy practice one day.

Kathy Adams

Kathy Adams

College of Alameda

Kathy Adams has a love of singing jazz music. She currently attends classes at College of Alameda and works as a student employee at the Administration and Records building in the Cougar Village portables. She hopes to sing at Yoshi’s in the near future.

Ceressa Allen

Ceressa Allen

Laney College

Ceressa has been an active member of Laney College for the last two years, earning in that time an AS and an AA. She has worked as an Instructional Aid in the Technology Center and the Writing Center. Ceressa loves dance and choreography, and has taken classes in jazz, modern. Ms. Allen plans to attend San Francisco State University for a B.A. in Health Education.

Tiana Drisker

Tiana Drisker

Laney College

Tiana was a registered Dental Assistant with 1 year of experience when she enrolled received an AA in Liberal Arts from Laney College. She kept on working through her degree, splitting time between her role as a registered dental assistant, student, and EOPS student aid. Most recently, she has been able to utilize her 6+ years experience as an Instructor at Western Career College’s Dental Assistant Program.

Jennifer Jordan-Wong

Jennifer Jordan-Wong

Merritt College

Jennifer Jordan-Wong is a graduate of UCLA and currently a student in the Environmental Program getting her AA in Human Ecology, Policy, Planning and Environmental Justice. She also works as a student aide in the Environmental Program, and is a research assistant at the Brower Dellums Institute for Sustainable Policy Studies. She is passionate about sustainability and loves teaching creative reuse arts and crafts. You can find her at the Self Reliant House, at meetings of Merritt’s student green club The Land and The People, and wherever there are puppies and ice cream.