Environmental Center News

Campus Sustainability Food Survey Results to Affect Shaw Food

During the Spring of 2009, the Campus Sustainability Fellows administered a survey to 10% of the campus population.  This included students, faculty and staff.  Questions asked those surveyed to report how they valued sustainable food options such as organics and locally produced food.  The results have been calculated and the fellows have drafted a reccomendation list according to the campus voice.  These suggestions have been presented and are being discussed with the campus food provider, Sodexo. To read the full report, click here.

PaperCut Campaign Influences Copy Center to Make Eco-Friendly Print Standards

In line with the President's Climate Commitment Contract, the Sustainability Fellows launched a campaign to reduce paper use 20% by 2010.  After meetings with copy center staff, official paper-reducing policies have been instituted.  All copy orders are now defaulted to double-sided, and non-recyclable ultra-bright paper colors are now only available in school colors. 

Visit the PaperCut website for up-to-date information on the campaign.

Campus Garden Re-Vamped for 2009

A brand-new campus garden club has been established, and a new plot for a produce garden has been dug and planted.  All are welcome to volunteer in our 100% organic garden, and regular volunteers get to reep the bounty when harvest time comes. 

Visit the Garden website for updated information.

First "SAVE THE PLANET. WIN SOME GREEN" Video Contest

On Earth Day, 2009, a student video contest was held concerning climate change on campus.

What does climate change have to do with life here on Westminster’s campus? What should every student and faculty know about climate change, and why should they care? What can and should we all be doing about it? Congratulations to Dennis Garrett, Eric Van Os, and Lee Clark! View their winning video here!

Recycling

Recycling can be a complicated process but don’t be discouraged by the mysterious symbols and riddles. Follow these simple guidelines and your recycling woes will immediately dissipate.

• First and foremost, the recycle bin is not a depository site for food. No matter how attractive last weeks lunch looks in your to-go box container - the container, not your lunch, should be recycled. Dump your leftovers, napkins and paper towels in the garbage or the compost heap you started under your roommate’s bed.
• Almost all paper (sorry maestro but no toilet paper) can be recycled. Important papers such as voodoo paper dolls, your ex-roommate’s medical records and incriminating magazines may land into the gloves of the wrong garbage man. Ensure that your things are “taken care of” and recycle them. After all, any last traces of your master plans will vanish once they are recycled into a ream of colored paper.
• If you have any paperback books, cardboard, newspaper and inserts, phone books, steel cans, office paper, notebook paper, junk mail, cereal boxes, paper towel and toilet paper tubes, shoe boxes, aluminum cans or plastic grocery and storage bags leftover from your party the other night, toss them in the recycle bin too. 
• We are a tolerant, loving campus that does not discriminate against the recycling crew. They, like you and me, like to keep their skin soft and supple so please don’t try to recycle glass bottles. Other potential hazards like battery acid, nuclear waste and the dormant small pox virus should remain in the back of your closet, not in the recycling bins.