William R. Sinkin Eco Centro

The William R. Sinkin Eco Centro is a community outreach center for environmental substainability operated by San Antonio College and seed funded by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities grant.  The building was completed in early 2014 and hosted its grand opening on Earth Day the same year.  It is located at 1802 North Main Avenue, at the corner of Main Ave. and E. Locust. 

The LEED-certified, 3,000+ square foot facility serves as an example of sustainable building with a solar-photovoltaic system connected to 135 roof-mounted solar panels, a 2,700-gallon water catchment tank and five 40-gallon tanks, water-wise landscaping, four electric vehicle charging stations, a B-Cycle station, and large composting and gardening areas.

OUR MISSION

To cultivate the understanding, progress and practice of sustainability

OUR GOAL

Eco Centro strives to positively address environmental challenges by providing the information needed to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.
Through education, outreach, service and research, Eco Centro advocates for the adoption of practical sustainable practices.

Our objective is to stimulate greater community, business and household self-sufficiency while supporting entities that further the overarching cause of environmental preservation through collaborative initiatives and educational programming.

WHAT WE DO

The William R. Sinkin Eco Centro serves as a demonstration center for organic gardening, composting, sustainable building, low impact development, water conservation, native landscaping, healthy living, developing community partnerships and more. The center provides meeting space for several local organizations and hosts community based and environmentally related events. By partnering with our local community, other environmental organizations, private industry, governmental agencies, and sustainability experts, the William R. Sinkin Eco Centro furthers its goals of education and advocacy on a local level and beyond.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

Rapid population growth, economic expansion, and excessive consumption of our natural resources necessitates a collective solution to the depletion of those resources most basic for survival and well-being.  Sustainability has emerged as that solution and is of the utmost importance in making sure we have enough water, materials, and resources to lead productive, healthy, and comfortable lives.  Each of us must do our part to conserve the natural environment on which we all depend.

CONSTRUCTION NOTICE

Half of the Eco Centro visitors parking lot is currently under construction. See below for information on alternate parking and alternate locations for electric vehicle charging stations. We apologize for the inconvenience.