Van Bekkum Leads Agnes Scott Sustainability Efforts

­After earning her bachelor's degree in psychology at Agnes Scott College, 2008 graduate Lies Van Bekkum returned to campus almost immediately as the college's first sustainability fellow.

Van Bekkum's recent college experience on campus at Agnes Scott is key to her new role in helping to build a "green" culture among the college's community of about 900 students. She is also supporting the effort to design and launch educational programs to foster personal and community sustainability at Agnes Scott.

Van Bekkum's role as Agnes Scott's sustainability fellow is shared with the city of Decatur where she works closely with the city's new Environmental Sustainability Board which held its orientation meeting in late January.

This partnership, according to college administrators, is just another example of how the college and city work well together. And is one of the reasons The Princeton Review consistently cites Agnes Scott and Decatur with having "a great town/gown relationship."

Agnes Scott Director of Sustainability Susan Kidd sees Van Bekkum's role as essential to the college meeting its goals for sustainability.

Van Bekkum was born and reared in the Netherlands, home of multiple man-made answers to environmental challenges. Fifty-five percent of the Netherlands sits below sea level while the same area is home to more than 60 percent of its people. In addition, that low-lying part generates 65 percent of the country's gross national product. Van Bekkum's formative years helped her understand the need to change how the college impacts its environment.

In Sept. 2007, Agnes Scott President Elizabeth Kiss became a signatory to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, and college leaders have committed themselves to making Agnes Scott more sustainable. In September 2008, Agnes Scott met its first deadline by reporting its greenhouse gas emissions, creating an important benchmark. By September 2009, the college must have developed and initiated a climate action plan.

"At the end of the day the most rewarding part of sustainability work on a college campus is the work with students," Kidd said. "It is incredible to see the Agnes Scott students using their intelligence and energy to help make this change happen."

Electronic Recycling Day in Decatur, Oct. 25

Don’t throw away that old cell phone, camera or PC component! Save it and recycle it at Decatur’s Fall Electronics Recycling event in the Decatur High School parking lot, corner of N. McDonough Street and Howard Avenue. This semi-annual event helps divert electronic equipment from landfills, where they may contaminate soil and water. Electronics dropped off that day will be sorted and disassembled into raw materials and sent to recyclers for reuse.

In addition to electronics, metro area residents can also drop off batteries of any type, Styrofoam peanuts, and clean Styrofoam blocks free of foreign objects. New to the event this year – TVs will be recycled for a $10 cash only fee per TV set with exact change. There is no charge to recycle other items.

Volunteers are needed to assist in unloading items. To volunteer, contact Scott Thompson, scott.thompson@mindspring.com. Recyclables must be dropped off during the hours of the event. Early drop offs are not possible. Almost anything with an electrical cord can be recycled except microwave ovens. For additional information and last-minute updates, visit this link or call David Junger, (404) 377-5571.

Oakhurst's LEED Fire Station

The Decatur City Commission has awarded a contract for the construction of Fire Station No. 2 to the low bidder, Ward General Contractors of Kennesaw, in the amount of $1,434,000. The new fire station is located at 356 West Hill Street in Oakhurst Village.

Construction of the new fire station is being funded by the City’s capital bond program. LP3 Architects of Decatur designed the building, which is expected to be the City of Decatur’s first LEED certified building. Construction is expected to begin during the week of July 21, 2008 and to last about 10 months.

Decatur is BYOB!

Starting this month, Decatur boutiques will offer a local, earth-friendly alternative to plastic and paper shopping bags. Decatur’s reusable tote bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and will be available for sale at participating boutiques for $15. Customers receive 10 percent off their orders when they bring in their Decatur bag.

Participating Boutiques:

• Boogaloos - 246 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-474-3237

• Dresscodes - 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Unit 117, 404-343-2894

• Eviva - 335-C W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-370-7606

• Heliotrope - 248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-371-0100

• Kaleidoscope - 252 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-378-1214

• Mingei - 427 Church St., 404-371-0101

• Peggy's Boutique - 308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-370-9888

• Rockit - 145-B Sycamore St., 404-373-5099

• Sawicki's - 250 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-0992

• Squash Blossom - 113 E. Court Sq., 404-373-1864

• Taste - 416 Church St., 404-370-1863

• Whit's End - 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. #2, 404-377-3310

• Wiggle - 305 E. College Ave., 404-373-2522