What makes the SSC special?
To see how far the SSC has come since we started, click here.
Landscape:
- The SSC land is being re-designed as a Permaculture demonstration site
- Landscaping of native plants around the house, provided by Willamette Gardens
- Removal of nearly all invasive plants
- Lawn alternative seed mix around the house
- Raised beds and small demonstration organic garden behind the house
- Mulch from local hazelnut shells to prevent weed growth and promote water and nutrient retention
Transportation:
Energy and Interiors:
- Efficient lighting plan, which uses only tubular fluorescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs
- Low flow toilet (1.6 gallons per flush instead of 13 gallons per flush in the old toilet!)
- Original refinished wood floors instead of mold-susceptible carpet
- Marmoleum (100% natural linoleum) in the kitchen and bathroom
- Interior and exterior painted with low-VOC paint
Food:
- All kitchen scraps at the center are composted on site
- Food for events is either grown on site, organic, and/or purchased from the First Alternative Co-op, a local member-owned grocery
- Newly planted fruit trees will soon bear apples, cherries, and pears
- Annual vegetables in the gardens either used by the SSI or donated
Waste:
- We use co-mingled and mixed-paper recycling bins and provide battery and cell phone receptacles
- Three composting systems on site: Earth Tub, Worm Wigwam, and Three-Bin System
- Students and community members who cannot compost at home are encouraged to bring kitchen scraps to the Earth Tub
If you have ideas about how to reduce the ecological footprint of the SSC or create a stronger community here, please let us know!
To get involved, sign up for our listserv.
Last updated 7.2.09
