The Sustain(ability) club began Earth Week on Monday by inviting students to attend a free campus screening of the Lorax.
President of the club Sarah Handler said showing the Lorax movie “was a fun way to start a dialogue about sustainability on campus.”
The 36 students that came to the Marty Theatre were introduced to the concern presented by Dr. Seuss in the Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
“The movie shows that anybody can get something done as long as they put their minds to it,” freshman computer information systems major Kevin Hagemann said.
At this event, members of the organization gave tips on how to lead an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. According to Handler, they raised awareness about how people can become more environmentally-conscious by being aware of their actions.
Handler, a senior industrial engineering major, said small changes such as using reusable water bottles and utensils, walking to locations instead of driving, and turning off the faucet while brushing teeth can make a tangible difference to the campus environment and impact the planet.
The organization promoted this event through social media advertising a BYOB (bring your own bowl) incentive. The organization provided free popcorn to students that brought a reusable bowl to the movie. Students that did not bring a recyclable bowl were charged $5.
“In order to care for the planet, people need to be more open to changing their ways for the better,” sophomore mechanical engineering major Brandon McCaffrey said.
Next semester, Handler said Sustain(ability) will focus on the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle.
The organization also plans to hand out reusable water bottles to increase the use of the water bottle refilling stations. Also, there will be collaboration with Dining Services to reduce food waste in the Bradley University cafeterias, according to Handler.
Handler said Sustain(ability) will continue to hold an annual event in celebration of Earth Week.
“Earth Day is special because it can help galvanize support from people who might not otherwise know about sustainability,” Handler said.
