Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2000
Geonomics Library
Vice Chair: Amy Seif


In Attendance: Nan Jenks-Jay, Amy Seif, Krista Siringo, Oren Frey, Linda Pitkin, George McPhail, Tyson Schoelzel, Brian Harding, Margaret Aleks, Dan Bedford, Tom Kelly, Mike Snow

Absent: Jamie McBride, Charlie Sargent, Jessica Pasko, Kathy Morse

1. Approved Minutes, January 26, 2000.

2. Summary of Trip to Living Technologies:
Five Council members and Charlotte Tate visited the South Burlington Living Machine. Living Machines are cleaner alternatives to conventional wastewater treatment systems. This machine cleans ten percent of the wastewater from South Burlington. Living Machines clean water by using natural processes, such as bacteria, snails, and plant roots. They have an economic advantage for tertiary clean-up, but usually only secondary clean-up is required. This plant was temporarily shut-off, but we were told it normally produces less waste sludge than conventional treatment. The treated water is eventually released back to the conventional plant for the final step in the process. The group identified possibilities for internships and class projects. We felt we needed numbers before it could be proved that this system worked better than a conventional plant. (Eric Alm, our tour guide, has promised to send numbers and get us in touch with the staff member who coordinates internships.)

3. Sub-Committee Reports:
A. Audit Implementation :
Three students and one staff member applied for grant funds. The projects involve looking into two-side printing on campus, researching alternatives to chemicals for campus landscaping, and wetlands assessment. No one asked for the full funds, so more than one grant can be awarded.
B. Audit Planning :
Kathy and Tom met and started going through previous audit and began to prioritize. They will look at Howard Glassier's results.
C. Transportation :
Jess was going to assess data from Environmental Fair survey over J-term. Krista (Environmental Council nominee), Amy (ex officio member) and Linda (Staff Council nominee) are on the Parking Study Committee. This committee will report to the President by April 15.
D. Outreach :
They are planning on doing a "Talk of the Town" interview on WFAD about the trail clean-up and the Council. The group discussed getting students to go to Town Meetings. Margaret talked to Tyson about participating in a Res Life Meeting. Tyson will mention the need to conserve energy at the upcoming Wonnacott Commons meeting.
E. Events :
Earth Day events are being planned. They include a showing of environmental art at the Museum of Art, a student environmental art exhibit, and a hike. Amy knows of no events being planned by student environmental groups. Mike mentioned the Earth Day Network billboard campaign and will look into initiating a project among the folks who went to Econference.

4. Other Business
A. Sustainability Assessment and Pizza :
Please mark on your calendars for Feb 16, 4:30 6pm, in Old Chapel 401.
B. Clean Cities Initiative :
The Clean Cities Program is a federal program that designates cities or states as Clean Cities, enabling them to access grant programs. The Clean Cities Initiative attempts to bring more alternative vehicles and re-fueling stations to Vermont. They recently sent a letter to President McCardell asking that we join the initiative, and Amy has gone to one of their meetings at the request of EVermont. Eric Skovsted, the electric vehicle outreach intern, will be looking into possibilities for alternative vehicles on campus.
C. Vermont Business for Social Responsibility :
The College is now a member.
D. Take-out Containers :
This item was discussed on the trip to South Burlington. Non-recyclable plastic take-out containers are being used in the Grill and other dining facilities. Dining likes these containers because they are microwave-safe, liquids don't leak through, and the food can be presented properly on them. While discussing alternatives, the group suggested aluminum take-out containers instead and giving a rebate to those that use their own tupperware. There was some question as to whether people actually microwave their food in these containers.

5. The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Amy Seif on February 11, 2000.