Our mission is to transform Hillsborough Community College into a participating sustainable member of society. Through a partnership among students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members, we seek to establish and nurture an institutional culture of sustainability.
HCC values the sustainable use of its environmental, social, and operational resources including the integration of sustainable concepts in the curriculum and its service to the community
Internships
HCC internships (paid and unpaid) with the Office of Sustainability are available each semester. Typical projects include waste reduction/recycling, food, energy, water and transportation. Student engagement, data management, marketing, and social media are vital components of Office tasks.
If you are interested in applying for an internship position or would like more information, please contact Paul Rabaut, Sustainability Coordinator at prabaut@hccfl.edu.
Green Student Clubs
HCC’s students care and are committed to not only making their college a better place but their community as well. There are a variety of active environmental clubs at HCC where students can engage in projects and events. These clubs attend conferences, organize campus events, take field trips, do community service, and spearhead campus projects. Get involved today!
Tips and Tricks
Cooling:
- Set your thermostat at 83 degrees F when leaving home for 5 hours or more
- Install ceiling fans in all frequently occupied rooms - particularly bedrooms
- Then, raise A/C thermostats by 2 degrees for the same comfort level.
- Keep windows and doors tightly closed, pull drapes at night
- Change your A/C filter monthly, the dirty filter reduces the efficiency of your A/C
- Install a light reflective roof or coat the current roof with a reflective coating which can reduce A/C consumption by up to 25%
- Plant drought-resistant native shade trees (such as oaks or gumbo limbos) on the east, south and west sides of the house. It can reduce A/C consumption by about 20%
Lighting:
- Switch to CFL light bulbs to save up to 75% in lighting
- Turn off lights when not in use, even for short time periods
- Decorate with lighter colors to take advantage of natural light
- Use task lighting to illuminate the work areas
- Replace holiday light/spotlights/down light with super-efficient LED lights
Electronics & Appliances:
- Hook up all your electronics on power strips and turn them off when not in use
- Want to get an in-depth look at ways to save on energy use? TECO provides a free Web-Based Audit you can complete in about fifteen minutes. You can also call 813.275.3909 for a phone based audit or set up a personal inspection, all at no cost to you.
Water Saving Tips:
- Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to reduce water use
- Install water-sense labeled toilets. A household could save $90 per year in reduced water costs
- Reduce lawn area by planting ground cover
- Water your lawn and plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation losses and no more than once a week- this will save you money and make your lawn healthier
- Leaks are no small matter. Even if your water bill doesn’t seem higher than usual, you may have a small leak. Routine checkups are easy and can be done by following these steps provided by City of Tampa Utilities.