The Environmentally Conscious Organization of Students (ECOS) at Lone Star College-Montgomery is spurring the campus and community to think outside the box when it comes to reducing, reusing, and recycling, starting with a presentation from the founder of the Phoenix Commotion green-building movement.

Dan Phillips will share how Phoenix Commotion is broadening the building industry through construction of homes using reclaimed and recycled materials on Thursday, April 25, at 10 a.m., in the Health Science Center (Building B, Room 102). The community is invited to this free presentation. 

During his presentation, “The American Neurosis,” Phillips will address the modes of cultural shortcomings associated with homeless families and provide a summary of how an average person could help. The causes of waste will be explored, which according to Phillips, range from deep cultural and primal bents to the flagrant consumerism in our society. Phillips will also discuss his new book, Resurrecting Trash: Dan Phillips and The Phoenix Commotion (Texas Review Press, 2013).

Phillips, who works in Huntsville, has been featured on an international level for his against-the-grain building techniques, materials, and use of only apprentice labor. He combines his background in construction with his experience with art and antique restoration to fabricate attractive, energy-efficient houses.

He works with homeowners, many of whom are single parents, artists, or families with low incomes, to construct a home using 70 to 80 percent salvaged materials, such as CD’s, bottles, aluminum scraps, etc. He has completed 24 projects, including the recycling education center for Waste Management of Houston, Texas in its new facility. He frequently hosts tours of the homes he has completed in the Huntsville area.

The ECOS students group at LSC-Montgomery raises awareness of environmental issues and works to ensure the beautification of the campus and community through recycling methods.

For more information, contact Michael Devoley, psychology professor and ECOS faculty advisor, at Michael.S.Devoley@LoneStar.edu  or (936) 271-6116. For more information on Phoenix Commotion, visit www.PhoenixCommotion.com.

LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.

Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.