Sustainability Center

MCC is helping our community grow stronger by focusing on sustainability and environmental education. Check out the McHenry County Recycling Directory Green Guide, learn about our green campus projects, and see how we bring sustainability into campus life and local outreach.

Solar Energy Resources

• Help finding a professional installer
• Illinois Solar Energy Association – FAQs and General Information
• Information for homeowners
• Community Solar – use renewable energy without buying panels yourself.
• Solar energy educational videos
• Consumer protection for solar customers
• Additional consumer resources

Student Environmental Action Club

• About the Club: The Environmental Action Club is directed by student interests each semester.
  • Recent Focus (2025–2026): Active in conservation volunteer work, waste reduction, and restoring MCC’s one-acre prairie.
  • Prairie Restoration Accomplishments: Removed invasive species and collected native seeds to care for this outdoor classroom.
  • Conferences: Members attend various sustainability and conservation events, with plans to attend the Wild Things conference again in Spring 2027.
• Meeting Times: Fall 2026 meeting times will be announced during the first week of September.
• Contact Information:
  • Club President: Carson Edfors – medfors@students.mchenry.edu
  • Club Advisor: Kim Hankins (Manager of the Sustainability Center) – khankins@mchenry.edu
• Social Media: Follow the Student Environment Action Club on Instagram.

Carey Center for Agrarian Learning

The Carey Center for Agrarian Learning is a community resource for all growers, sharing the latest growing and business practices to keep their farms sustainable, productive, and, above all, profitable.

Dangers of Black Plastic and Safer Alternatives

Below are additional references mentioned in the Green Guide article on black plastic.

• Don’t Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatulas

• Alarming Study on Toxic Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils Gets an Update

• What Makes Black Plastic an Environmental Nightmare?

• Are Your Black Plastic Utensils Dangerous? - NBC News

• Are Bamboo Utensils Dishwasher Safe? Pros and Cons Explained

• Are Bamboo Products Toxic? - Million Marker

• Are Bamboo Utensils Safe? Read This First! - Cookery Space