This content was published: May 1, 2009. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
GREEN NEWS: Eco roof planted at Rock Creek, e-cycling drive near Sylvania
Photos and story by James Hill
On April 27, Building Construction Technology students completed the installation of a 144-square-foot eco roof for the earthen oven, which is located at the Rock Creek Campus learning garden. The project was part of a class called “Introduction to Residential Ecoroofs” offered by PCC, and taught by Greg Haines of Eco Roofs Everywhere.
According to project coordinator Peter Field, an eco-roof is a planted roof assembly consisting of a waterproof membrane, root protection layer, drainage system, very light soil mixture and vegetation with low maintenance requirements. The PCC roof has been planted with a variety of sedums, sempervivums and Oregon Iris.
Not only do eco-roofs decrease storm water runoff, absorb carbon dioxide, filter air pollutants, and increase bird and insect habitat, this green roofing provides additional insulation and extends the life of the roof. The City of Portland, through its Clean River Rewards program, offers financial incentives and discounts to businesses and residents who choose to plant this kind of roof. Portland State University and Multnomah County have already planted eco-roofs.
The earthen oven is the second eco-roof to grace Rock Creek, the first being the roof of the straw bale house behind the cafeteria by Spencer Hinkle’s summer sustainability class of local high school students.
Spring Cleanup e-cycling drive set to go at Portland Christian Center
Do some "spring cleaning" on Saturday, May 9 when the annual Spring Cleanup e-cycling event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Portland Christian Center parking lot (5700 SW Dosch Road, just off Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.). The cost is $10 per carload of recyclable items such as scrap metal (toasters, ladders, empty buckets); bulky items and large appliances (couches, chairs, refrigerators, exercise equipment); yard debris and wood items (weeds, leaves, vines, grass clippings, fencing).
It is organized by Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. SOLV Litter Patrol and the Sylvania Campus. Sylvania and Free Geek will lead the e-Cycling portion of the event for old, unwanted computer equipment (computers, monitors, keyboards, printers) – for free. Sylvania Computer Technology faculty and students, along with volunteers from student government, the campus Green Team and its Environmental Center, will get a hands-on learning experience triaging and sorting acceptable donations before responsibly recycling them.
Items not accepted at Spring Cleanup include television sets, hazardous waste, kitchen garbage, tree stumps and oversized branches, rocks, ashes and asbestos. Free Geek will accept television sets at its warehouse located at 1731 SE 10th Ave. For more information, visit www.freegeek.org. Also, donations will be accepted only from individuals, not businesses.
In addition, PCC will collect old cell phones onsite that day for the Sylvania Women’s Resource Center, which will donate them to support the Call to Protect program operated by The Wireless Foundation and Bradley Angle House, a local agency dedicated to ending violence in the home. Through the collection of deactivated cell and wireless phones, an important tool can be provided for victims of domestic violence who may encounter emergency situations.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »