College of Marin focuses on sustainability throughout the IVC and Kentfield campuses in how it serves the people, protects the planet and reduces the use of valuable resources. By conserving water and energy at the facilities scale, we encourage the community to choose options that help us all reduce our carbon footprint.
Zero Waste
- Recycling pilot program to reduce waste from Science, Math, Nursing Building.
- Recycled 2016/2017 89.5 tons of paper, 2.1 tons of cardboard, 2.6 tons of mixed recycling.
- Partnered with Marin Sanitary Services, the College is aligning all of its waste bins with how Marin Sanitary picks up the waste and recycling. The Environmental Club on campus was actively involved in the implementation and educating students on campus about the new system.
Student Initiatives
- Student Clubs, such as the Environmental Action Club and Sustainable Land Club boast over 100 student members who engage the community through recycled electronics initiatives, hosting influential climate change speakers, and host events.
- Energize Colleges internship program has employed 30 College of Marin students in projects in energy and sustainability on campus and with community partners. Learn more.
Clean Energy
- SunPower Solar PV Arrays (Helix Carport Structures) provide combined nearly 80% energy use reduction using renewable energy that can also be stored and is cheaper than fossil fuel energy and less energy is lost since it is coming straight from onsite. At IVC the System Size is 991.80 (DC kW), and at Kentfield, the System Size is 1,122.30 (DC kW).
- Marin Clean Energy Deep Green Energy option, providing 100% renewable energy. College of Marin was the first community college to be named an MCE Deep Green Champion.
- The 4MW Tesla battery storage systems reduce peaks and valleys in cost and energy usage since battery storage is collected when the energy is at its cheapest. The 2.4-MW system (five lithium-ion battery units delivering 480 kW of power each) on the college’s Kentfield campus and a 1.44 MW system (three 480 kW units) on its Indian Valley campus. Read more about the pilot energy storage project.
- Hydronic solar pool water heating for the current pool at Kentfield and the new pool at IVC.
- EV charging stations 2019: 36 charging stations combined at both campuses (20 at Kentfield;16 at IVC). The charging stations will have a 4-hour charging limit. Partners: PG&E, MCE, Transportation Authority of Marin, Golden Gate Electric Vehicle Association (GGEVA).
Green Building
- The 43,000 square-foot Academic Center facility features 16 general-purpose classrooms, three computer labs, a 100-seat lecture hall, and faculty and staff offices. Construction costs totaled $23 million. LEED® Gold Certification is pending for the Academic Center.
- The Science, Math, Nursing Building achieved LEED® Gold Certification. With 3 stories and 77,000 square-feet, a new Central Plant accommodates electrical and mechanical equipment for the campus since 2013.
- The Child Study Center achieved LEED® Certification in 2013 and features a playground and organic garden.
- The three-story, 22,500 square-foot Fine Arts Building features large windows that allow for natural daylighting and uses natural ventilation during the temperate season to improve indoor air quality. The green roof supports native and drought-tolerant landscaping. The Fine Arts Building achieved LEED® Gold Certification in 2011.
- Building 27 at Indian Valley Campus supports workforce development programs and is supported by a geothermal field for efficient heating and air circulation. It achieved LEED® Gold Certification in 2010.
- Selection of construction materials based on recycled content, and reused materials from buildings.
- New building design to meet high energy efficiency standards.
- Athletic fields replaced with turf using natural cork.
- Use of organic fertilizers on landscaped areas of campus.
Sustainability Education
- Courses in alternative fuel vehicles, solar photovoltaic design, and organic agriculture in Career Technical Education programs. Learn more.
- Nearly 40 courses related to solving environmental challenges through social, technological, political and scientific dimensions. Click here to see the list of courses offered in spring 2019.
- The Indian Valley Campus Organic Farm and Garden (IVOFG) is host to many academic courses and experimental plots. The Farm partnered with Nugget Market to commence the Nugget Market Demonstration kitchen. The Farm also provides a bi-weekly CSA and provides produce to Boca Tavern in Novato.
- Partner organization, the Cultural Conservancy hosts programs to educate youth on indigenous planting and cultural practices from Native tribes. Partner organization, Marin Master Gardeners exhibits urban gardening methods to youth and community members.
- Partnered with 350Marin.org, student Zeinab Benchakroun developed student storytelling and art project around climate justice.
- Workshops, training and professional development seminars on how to incorporate sustainability in the classroom with Dr. Mark Stemen of CSU Chico and Katherine Bergman of Career Ladders Project.
Operations and Campus
- All lights are LED, except existing fluorescent ballasts. Spring 2018 all lights in the gym were replaced with LED.
- IT upgraded all monitors with more efficient monitors which significantly reduced energy use.
- Keyless entry locks installed to eliminate the need for brass lock and key replacement.
- 60 acres of Indian Valley Campus were assessed for damaged and diseased trees. The damaged trees were removed and either milled for future use at the Organic Farm or chipped in place. This action reduced fire hazard on campus and provided a more open aesthetic.
- All landscaped areas planted with native, drought-resistant or heat tolerant plants, with installed irrigation for most efficient use of water.
- Refillable water bottle stations on each floor of each building at Kentfield Campus.
- Low flush toilets in Academic Center and SMN Building.
- Waterless urinals save over $2.1 million gallons of water per year.