According to our old friend Kermit the Frog, “it’s not easy being green.” However, as I learned at the Campus Sustainability Day on Oct. 25, and as I have realized over years of trying to be conscious of my impact on the environment, there are many little steps we can all take to make a difference.
Members of our SLU community have already taken many steps, even giant frog leaps, towards creating a more sustainable campus. Many of these were exhibited during Campus Sustainability Day. The event took place on the second day of a two-day conference made possible by the EarthWays center, a division of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, in cooperation with the University Office of the President, the Department of Student Life, the Department of Biology, the Student Government Association, the Environmental Task Force and Just Earth!
The day began with lunch at Fresh Gatherings, followed by a virtual tour of the garden there. The afternoon sessions focused on SLU’s current efforts towards recycling, green purchasing and other important issues. There was also discussion about further implementation of sustainable practices in operations, policy, future construction, residential life and the classroom.?
I was very impressed by the presentation and tour of Fresh Gatherings, which is a sustainable cafeteria in the Health Sciences Center. If you haven’t gone, it’s worth the trip. Fresh Gatherings combines education, nutrition, gardening, composting and environmental consciousness into every meal.
Following the ideal, “eat locally, impact globally”, the coordinators of the kitchen visit local farmers to see how the animals are raised and how the produce is grown to make sure that food they purchase is environmentally and ethically produced, while at the same time supporting smaller, local farms.
Fresh Gatherings produces very little waste itself; the food containers are biodegradable or recyclable, food scraps are composted and they send what little leftovers they may have to Campus Kitchen. The garden is kept by volunteers as well as elementary school children who learn about the crops they help to produce. Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman, Ph.D., department chair of nutrition and dietetics, explained what sustainability is to her: Sustainability is about the environment, the community and social justice. Fresh Gatherings is a unique and incredible asset to SLU, which combines social awareness with education, a Jesuit ideal.
In one of the afternoon sessions, Fred Wencel, who is in charge of dining services on campus, spoke about environmental initiatives of which he has been a part. One of the most exciting of these projects are the coffee mugs that have been produced and will be available for purchase beginning Nov. 9. These mugs are designed to reduce waste generated by coffee cups, and those who use them will receive a discount on their coffee purchases.
Another new initiative is the use of Green Ware cups that appear to be made out of plastic, but are actually made of corn. These cups biodegrade much faster than plastic and are less harmful to the environment. Wencel also referred to Project Clean Plate, a program held in the Griesedieck cafeteria that collects food scraps to raise awareness about how much is wasted. Also, representatives of other schools, like Lindenwood and St. Louis Community College, shared frustrations and achievements in their respective schools.
Other afternoon sessions focused on Energy Management and the possible benefits of further implementation of environmentally friendly improvements, as well as “greening” the curriculum. First of all, a great benefit of reducing energy waste is that it reduces cost for the operation of the University. Also, more “Green Practices” can generate positive public and alumni relations because these practices are both economically sound and sustainable.
Some green purchasing is encouraged at SLU; in fact, last quarter, 17 percent of office supplies bought were made of recycled content. In terms of building projects, the research building is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Also, the HVAC systems of Chaifetz Arena have been built to meet LEED standards. There has also been continual expansion of recycling, especially in the residence halls, and the next phase will include outdoor bins. Furthermore, a cross-disciplinary Environmental Sciences Program in the works will involve public health and various departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, including biology, chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences and economics to name a few.
The importance of an event like Campus Sustainability Day is to highlight all of the efforts made by SLU faculty, staff and students, and to push us toward where we could be in terms of environmental stewardship and sustainability. This event is an exciting step in our efforts to make SLU a more environmentally-conscious campus, where we can learn to be responsible stewards of our resources. ?
Sustainability is a long word for a simple concept. Living a sustainable lifestyle means living in a way so that your grandchildren will be able to live well. It involves being aware of what you consume, as well as where your trash goes; how every action you take has an effect on the world around you. It’s the three R’s-reduce, reuse and recycle-but it also involves issues of social justice.
Using only what you need and disposing of it responsibly makes it possible for other people to access the limited resources on this planet. You may have heard the saying, “live simply so that others may simply live,”-it is worth considering. You can buy local food and support local farmers when it’s possible; walk, ride a bike or take the metro or a bus instead of using a car once in a while; turn off lights and computers when you are not using them; recycle plastic, aluminum and paper on campus; and try to be aware of the waste you create.
We can each make a small difference through little steps, and as a university, we can have an even larger influence on an ever-increasing environmental crisis.
Even Kermit eventually admitted, “But green’s the color of spring. And green can be cool and friendly-like.” Kermit certainly knows what it means to be green, and, here at SLU, we are discovering how we can reduce our impact on the environment while increasing our impact on each other, the St. Louis community and the world.
Gina Meyer is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
