A group of students and administrators has been working behind-the-scenes to make campus more environmentally-friendly, so the sustainability committee was established in 2010 to structure environmental policies and encourage students to recycle.
The committee meets biweekly to discuss sustainability issues such as waste reduction, using recycled products and energy efficiency on campus.
According to Planning Supervisor and Sustainability Coordinator Kim Green, some of the committee’s goals are to expand the recycling program and to continue developing good use of students’ resources.
“Energy use is a big [focus], especially with facilities management [and] waste reduction,” committee member and junior Sarah Handler said. “So, [a focus] that would be not only having things like recycling to divert waste from landfills. Also using less and using recycled products and using only things you need is another thing.”
One big initiative the committee is currently working on is recycling within the greek community. Currently, no chapters are recycling, and according to Handler, all but two of the chapters are interested in recycling, even if they have to purchase the service.
According to Handler and Green, there is discussion about bringing a farmers market to campus.
“We are also looking to get more engaged with the community, talking about the possibilities of having things like farmers markets and to get more sustainable produce to campus,” Handler said.
She also said it is important for students to form good habits and take the effort to make recycling and sustainability a main concern.
“We are trying to generate more interest on campus, so if [students] have any ideas or want to get more involved, they can contact the sustainability committee,” Handler said.
For more information, visit bgreen.bradley.edu.
