Sustainability
The Sustainability Center works in association with the Illinois Green Economy Network.
What Does Sustainability Mean?
The Four Cs of What We Do
ReUseIt Room
Looking to clean out your office or backpack? Donate lightly used items to the ReUseIt Room located in J-259. Click below to view the full list of accepted items. In need of office or school supplies? All items located in the ReUseIt Room are free to take utilizing the sign out sheet at the entrance.
Click HERE for more Information
Sustainability-Focused Degree Programs
Sustainability is a very important part of education at Triton and many instructors incorporate environmental sustainability topics into their courses. Additionally, several of our degree programs are sustainability-focused and qualify students either for work in relevant fields or for transfer to four-year, baccalaureate-degree granting colleges and universities.
Associate in Applied Science Degrees
Architecture
Biotechnology Laboratory Technician
Construction Technology
Culinary Arts
Engineering Technology/Mechanical Design
Engineering Technology/Mechatronics
Horticulture
Renewable Energy Technology
Sustainable Agriculture Technology
Associate in Science Degrees
Environmental Science
Geo-Engineering Innovations through Undergraduate Scholarship
Geology
Certificates
Architectural Technology
Renewable Energy Technology
Recycling At Triton
Mixed Stream Recycling at Triton
Institutional Recycling at Triton
Sustainability on Campus
Electronics Recycling
Illinois law now makes it illegal to dispose of electronic items in the trash due to the potentially hazardous components in many of these products. Triton College partners with responsible companies to collect, reuse, and recycle these items.
LED Lighting
During the summer of 2011, Triton College replaced its outdoor lighting with energy-efficient LED lights. Where the old fixtures used 1840 watts per pole, the new ones only use 422 watts per pole. In addition, the shielded fixtures and LED lights are in compliance with International Dark Sky Association guidelines. The supplier, BetaLED, says that the LED circuit boards, drivers, wires and connectors are all non-hazardous, mercury-free, and RoHS compliant; the aluminum poles and housings are made using 20-25 percent post-consumer recycled materials; and 70 percent (by weight) of these fixtures are readily recyclable.
Green Business Certification
Triton College received a $15,000 grant from the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation to create a pilot Green Business Certification program. Triton partners with the Illinois Green Business Association to guide businesses located in Oak Park and River Forest through the certification process. Green business certification through IGBA includes a customized plan designed to help businesses save money and manage resources while helping make positive changes in their community. The standards are designed to be suitable for even the smallest local businesses.
Gymnasium Lighting
The gymnasium's old sodium lighting was replaced and wattage went from 400 Watts per fixture down to 128 Watts, while output increased 30%.
Botanical Garden
Visit the beautiful Triton Botanical Garden. Ornamental and native landscaping techniques are on display, along with hardscape features such as permeable pavers.
Adena Woods
Triton College has adopted a segment of land owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County that is adjacent to campus, which has informally been named 'Adena Woods' after the Adena Indians. Join us for one of our forest restoration work days as we pick up trash and eliminate invasive species such as buckthorn and garlic mustard.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Open to the community for use, five ChargePoint® dual charging stations (240 volts) have been installed and are marked with a green designated parking sign. Locations include near the R Building; the M Building; the B Building (Student Center); the E Building; and the T Building.
Triton students and employees are eligible for a discount when using the charging stations. Sign up for an account HERE, then email Benjamin Kadlec (benjaminkadlect@nigzob.com) to receive the discount code.
Sustainability Planning Guide
Triton’s Sustainability Planning Guide was created in 2014 to provide guidance to administration, staff, faculty and students as we develop and implement sustainability initiatives on campus. All are encouraged to read and make use of it when planning projects. The Guide is a living document and will be revised and updated in 2019.
Tree Campus USA
Triton College first won Tree Campus USA® recognition in 2016 for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
Bee Campus
Triton College was first awarded the Bee Campus USA certification by the Xerces Society in 2019. The Bee Campus certification celebrates colleges who take action to protect native pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Since 2019, Triton College has maintained this certification by completing the following objectives:
1. Establish a standing Bee Campus USA committee on campus that meets regularly to advocate for the conservation of pollinators.
The Greening the Campus Committee currently serves as the standing Bee Campus committee. Throughout the academic year, this committee works to plan events and initiatives centered around pollinator conservation. The committee is responsible for completing all objectives required for the annual renewal of the Bee Campus USA certification.
2. Create and enhance pollinator habitat on campus by increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nest sites.
Triton College has substantially increased the abundance of native plants and pollinator habitats across campus. One significant location of habitat and nesting sites is the Triton Botanical Garden. This area boasts a beautiful array of native plants and trees which are vital to pollinator species. This location also serves as an educational setting for immersive conservation events and hands-on work to protect the habitats of pollinators. Native plants can also be found in abundance at the Triton College Prairie Garden. This space educates visitors of the important role pollinators play in our world and how prairies help them do it. When visiting, you may come across common pollinators such as the bumblebee and monarch butterfly. In recent years, the college has also made an effort to put native plants in other areas, such as the various rain gardens and bioswales found near parking lots and walkways. While these areas are smaller in size, they offer essential habitat and sustenance for the frequent pollinators that visit them.
3. Reduce the use of pesticides
Triton College maintains an integrated pest management plan or IPM that reduces the amount of pesticides used across campus. Triton acknowledges the harm that pesticides can bring to pollinator species and seeks to create pesticide-free spaces where pollinators can flourish.
4. Offer courses or continuing education opportunities that incorporate pollinator conservation
Pollinator conservation is deeply embedded in various course offerings at Triton College. Most notably, the horticulture program provides hands-on lessons and learning opportunities for students to expand their knowledge of pollinators and how to protect them.
5. Offer service-learning projects to enhance pollinator habitat
Display signage focused on pollinator conservation
Spaces designated for pollinator conservation across campus display educational signage. The prairie garden includes signage to inform visitors about topics like pollinator conservation, what plants and animals they may find there, and even how they can play a role in protecting pollinators and their habitats. Both the prairie garden and botanical garden are designated as “pollinator habitat” by signs provided by the Xerces Society. Additionally, both sites serve as “Monarch Waystations” as designated by Monarch Watch.
Transit Alternatives
While it is easy to get to Triton by car and parking is free, active transportation is a lower cost, healthier, less polluting alternative. Students, staff, faculty and visitors are encouraged to bike, walk and take Pace buses to and from campus and to bike or walk while on campus. Triton is partnering with Active Transportation Alliance and Pace Bus Service to help improve transit alternatives for students, staff and residents of surrounding communities. Triton is a member of the Bike2Campus Coalition and Triton representatives have served on the steering committee for the Melrose Park Active Transportation Plan.
Triton's Pedestrian and Cycling Plan
Give your input about Pace Bus Service by taking this five-minute survey.
Pedestrians and Cyclists on Campus
Pedestrian and Bicycle Access to Campus
Pace Bus Service and Free Shuttle to North Avenue
Pace Campus Connection Pass for Students: Unlimited Rides for One Set Cost
We Clean Green
Triton College is dedicated to promoting, teaching and modeling sustainability. We are doing our part by establishing a green cleaning program that helps protect human health and the environment.
1. Commitment
2. People
3. Academics
4. Facilities
5. Community Engagement
What We Have Done (Sustainability Fulfillment)
Greater Maywood Paddling Program
Campus Bioswales
Triton College Holds Its First Zero Waste Event
Green Business Certification Program for Oak Park and River Forest Businesses
Water Bottle Filling Stations
Triton College Updates Library Lighting and Dedicates New Green Resources Collection
Triton College Completes Switchgear Installation to Manage Power Use in Buildings
Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCT)
ICCTEMT - IL Community College Targeted Energy Management Training
Green/Renewable Energy Training
LED Lighting Upgrade
Contact Information
Benjamin Kadlec
benjaminkadlec@nigzob.com