By Elizabeth Black, Communications Director, Montgomery County Government
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Daymar Institute, a post-secondary education school, is the latest organization to become Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certified.
Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, City of Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, and Chamber of Commerce Director Melinda Shepard attended their green ribbon cutting to congratulate Daymar on earning their certification.
Following the ribbon cutting, Mayor Bowers asked, “You already have a beautiful, energy efficient building. Tell us what you did different to earn green certification.”
Kristen Anthony, campus president administrative assistant and leader of the Green Certification initiative, explained. “We started with putting two bins in the student lounge for aluminum and plastic. I noticed these items were still being thrown away in the classrooms so we ordered smaller bins for each classroom and for the work areas. This made it more convenient and we were able to collect more recycling items. We’ve always shredded and recycled paper but we increased our intake of paper by putting cardboard boxes for paper under every desk. In the area of energy, we had the option of the motion sensor soft lighting but we also reinforced the hard lighting by asking people to turn out lights when they leave a room.”
Campus President Katharine Purnell added, “Because of our increased recycling efforts we were recently able to go from two dumpsters to one. We feel great about it! Not only are we keeping unnecessary items out of the landfill and helping to change habits but we also are saving money.”
“When you look at the big picture we want our landfill to last us for hundreds of years, so it is important for us to keep things out that don’t need to be in there,” commented Bowers.
Some of the other changes Daymar has made include: regulating the thermostats; consolidating trips to pick up supplies; the installation of low pressure faucets and increased use of technology rather than paper for training and testing.
“Something we always want to know at these ribbon cuttings, said McMillan. How do the things you are doing here translate to what the students and employees do at home? Do you feel it is making a difference when they leave here and go home?”
One gentleman gave an honest answer that it has for some people and other Daymar Team Members agreed that they have made more changes at home.
“We hope you and your students will not only take it home but that you encourage others to recycle and conserve as well,” said McMillan.
“Congratulations on your efforts, we appreciate what you have done!” said Bowers.
Daymar offers diploma programs as well as associates and bachelor degrees in the areas of business, health care, justice and technology and design.
For more information about Daymar of Clarksville call 1.877.849.7921 or visit http://www.daymarinstitute.edu/locations/clarksville.
If your business has an interest in learning more about the Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certification Program email Michelle Newell at manewell@mcgtn.net or call 931-245-1867.