Student Activism

PC students have researched sustainability topics and have led the way with the on-campus recycling program. Here's a sampling of what current students are doing.

Recycling

• Bins to recycle plastic, glass, aluminum, and paper are present in all buildings across campus.
• Students for Environmental Education organize the collection effort and were instrumental in getting DHEC grant funding to further the program. 

 

 

 

Implementing a Biodiesel Program

• Two students, Will Henderson & Josh Hallman, are currently running a pilot study to determine the most effective means of implementing a biodiesel program.
• They have found that PC generates approximately 220 gallons of waste vegetable oil/month.
• Oil is currently being picked up for no cost and converted to biodiesel at an upstate facility.
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Planting Campus Gardens

• Megan Skinner and Emily Davis have constructed a small dorm garden to use as a model garden for PC students.
• PC's Blue Thumb garden club, chaired by Megan Burdett, promotes the planting of on-campus gardens for beautification and educational purposes.
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Improving Energy Efficiency

• Kyle Harris and Jay Stewart are caulking windows in Laurens dorm, the oldest residence hall on campus. The caulk will help prevent air leaks, helping to conserve energy used to heat and cool the room.

 

 

 

 

Determining Carbon Footprints

• Leslie Hunnicutt and Matt Knight are researching PC’s overall carbon footprint and what contributions the campus is making toward global warming.

 

 

 

 

 

Composting

• Amy Green and Katie O’Shields are determining how to implement a composting program to help reduce waste on campus. The compost would be used as organic garden fertilizer.
• They have found that food scraps and other composite material from the dining hall average 100 gallons of waste a day.

 

 

Planting Trees

• Joe Hammond and Sammy Allen are selling bareroot trees. They are planting some on campus and starting PC “Legacy” oak acorns from the campus, with the idea of selling them to friends of the college who can plant them in their own yards. A PC tree in your own yard—what an idea!
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