Office of Sustainability

JJC recognizes that true sustainability involves a commitment to environmental, social, and economic improvement. JJC encourages planning, solutions, and actions that provide benefits for students, employees, and the community.

Our mission

Joliet Junior College 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.

What we do

At the Sustainability Union, we are dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and action through various initiatives such as

  • Organizing engaging community events on and off campus.
  • Advising the college and contributing to the development of sustainable policies and practices.
  • Partnering with other offices to enhance our impact and promote our mission across JJC.

Community engagement 

Please reach out if you would like to engage with the Office of Sustainability!

We currently offer

  • Library fairs
  • Conservation and sustainability tabling events
  • Presentations on Romeoville Repair Cafe and Beyond Green
  • School events and presentations

Sustainability Union 2025...

February meeting

Wednesday, February 5th | 12:00pm-1:00pm | T1041

Our first meeting of February! We will be discussing our upcoming events for one of our busiest times of the year- Earth month! Join us for pizza, some member introductions, and some education!

We are still looking for volunteers for the Repair Cafe in April! Let us know if you are interested in helping out.

We would also like to give a huge thanks to everyone who made the pledge to B.Y.O! Keep your notifications on to find out when our next bundle sale is happening.

The Three Pillars of Sustainability

People

Social sustainability is the intersection of public health, resource security, and environmental justice. The goal is to ensure people can live dignified lives, with access to adequate medicine, nutrition, and housing, keeping in good health, both physically and mentally.

Planet

Environmental sustainability is what most people think first when they hear the word “sustainability," and that makes sense! Environmental issues are some of the most pressing issues we, as a species, are faced with. Commitment to environmental sustainability means commitment to keeping air and water unpolluted, restoring damaged habitats to their former majesty, and stopping man-made climate change, so that our Earth can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Prosperity

Economic sustainability is often assumed to be at odds with the other two pillars, but that is simply not true. Problems that impact people, like food insecurity, also hurt the global economy because it makes people unable to work. Problems that impact the planet, like climate change, have the potential to destroy industries like agriculture. Economic sustainability seeks to challenge notions of limitless economic growth, and move toward a more stable, circular economy. Rather than items being produced to be consumed, disposed of, and replaced, circular economies aim to ensure goods can be reused and repaired. Rather than constantly exhausting natural resources, a circular economy aims to keep components recycled and repurposed for as long as they can, keeping these goods and resources from being wasted. 

Visit the Office of Sustainability!

We're located in T1041 and have office hours between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm!

If you would like to join the college's sustainability efforts, contact the Sustainability Intern at (815) 280-2644 or ashley.klinder@jjc.edu, or the Sustainability Coordinator, Maria Anna Rafac, at (815) 280-2546 or mrafac@jjc.edu.