JJC welcomed Dr. Salim M. Diab to share ideas of sustainability and cutting edge greening projects on April 24. The program was held in the Fine Arts Theatre on the Main Campus from 3-4:30 p.m.

Diab is a professor of chemistry and chair of the department at St. Francis University. He and his students are pioneering sustainability methods to be used at the St. Francis campus.

What better institution to lead in green, eco-friendly projects than one named after the Catholic patron saint of the environment? The philosophies of responsible, caring stewardship of land and resources are spawning clean, modern solutions to pollution.

Some of these inspiring projects include water conservation experiments, utilization of solar power cells, recycling campaigns, and "green chemistry".

Diab and his students are developing a water collection system for parking lots to reduce waste and contamination of drinkable water. Special absorbent papers collect and filter water for testing and use as potable water.

St. Francis has recently purchased solar power panels for the southern facing walls and has increased its recycling program by adding many more green recycling bins all over the campus. St. Francis already recycles 28 percent of its waste including trash, oil, computers and their ink cartridges, cell phones, clothes and more. The university is shooting for a 40 percent recycling rate within two years.

Perhaps the most intriguing element of his presentation was Diab’s "green chemistry." In response to the many dangerous and toxic herbicides and pesticides, Diab has developed a synthetic yet safe herbicide called Juglone. Using all safe chemicals, he synthesized a natural herbicide found in the black walnut tree. By straying away from harmful methyl, ether, or other petro-based chemicals in the experiments, there is much less waste.

"Less atoms, less by-products, and less derivatives equals less waste," Diab said.

At the end of the presentation, Diab and some colleagues held open discussion and made important contacts with concerned students, staff and activists about local green projects and volunteer programs. Representatives from JJC’s Green Groups, the Will County Forest Preserve District, and Ecommunity Joliet stuck around the theater afterwards to build partnerships and strategies. Franziska Contreras, founder of Ecommunity Joliet, introduced her online program to organize local environmental activists and concerned citizens in projects of sustainability and conservation and urges all interested parties to sign on and get involved at www.ecommunityjoliet.org.

Last fall, JJC formed a committee to address issues of sustainability on the three campuses. The committee’s mission reads:

"The JJC Sustainability Initiative encourages employees and students to become more responsible to our environment by living and educating in a manner that conserves resources so that vital resources necessary for life are available for generations to come; reduce pollution and preserve natural resources; be a leader in sustainability in our community by promoting awareness and education; and initiate and monitor standards of sustainability at JJC."

For more information about the college program, contact Vice President of Finance David Agazzi or natural sciences faculty member Andy Neill at JJC.