Coast CCD, Recycling Center

3QC provided LEED Consulting and Building Commissioning for Orange Coast College’s new Recycling Center. The new $4.4 million facility is two buildings – a 2,200 SF administration building adjacent to a 2,560 SF two classroom modular building. It also includes 3,200 SF of canopy in the drop-off area. The upgrade more than triples the size of the facility. The new recycling center expands the popular community resource by adding two classrooms and administrative offices. Parking spaces were also increased from 8 to 45 spots. Power for the facility is generated with solar panels. The new center includes raised planter beds, where recycling center staff plan to demonstrate organic gardening, composting and mulching, and men’s and women’s showers to encourage bicycle commuting. In additional to being more environmentally friendly, the increased square footage of the new center allows OCC to expand the services it offers to local residents.

Costa Mesa has 115,000 people – and OCC is the only recycling plant serving them. The center serves more than 300 customers a day and was outgrowing its small area in between the softball field and soccer field. The additional room allows the center to expand the types of materials collected and collect and store materials for a longer period of time. This allows for less frequent shipping reducing the carbon footprint involved in transporting materials. Ultimately, more revenue will be generated to support the growth of the entrepreneurial program for students and the long-standing culture of sustainability in the community. Designed to meet Zero Net Energy, the facility achieved LEED