Grant provides funds for new Adirondack chairs

The Heidelberg Sustainability Committee recently secured grant funding to purchase 20 Adirondack chairs for the front patio of The University Commons.

In addition to an overarching goal to create more outdoor seating across campus for use by classes or during events, the committee continues to look for ways to make the campus more sustainable, said committee member Mark Zeno.

For more than 10 years now, Heidelberg has partnered with the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Solid Waste District on recycling initiatives. The district has previously provided grant funding for the initial recycling program start-up back in 2006-07 with recycling containers in academic buildings; furniture for the Saurwein patio; picnic tables and trash cans at residence halls; and recycle/trash bins, also at the residence halls.

“Because we’ve shown progress in our sustainability efforts, we continue to be eligible to apply for grant funding from the OSS Solid Waste District,” Mark said. “There’s a lot more that we’d like to accomplish.”

The grant program stipulates that Heidelberg contribute 20 percent of the cost of a project or purchase and the district contributes the rest, up to $10,000. Mark also explained that products purchased through the grant must contain at least 25 percent recycled materials. Heidelberg’s new Adirondack chairs are made of 95 percent recycled plastic milk jugs.

Mark believes the campus community has embraced a sustainability mindset. “We as a campus need to be a role model in these efforts. We have taken the lead and we need to continue to move forward.”

The Sustainability Committee, which welcomes feedback and ideas from any members of the campus community, would also welcome new students, faculty and staff members.