Show your greener side

Print

By Heather Travis
Friday, October 16, 2009
The University of Western Ontario needs to up the ante on its waste management practices and help make the university a greener community.
 
EnviroWeek is Oct. 19-23 and there are many opportunities to show a commitment to environmentalism and sustainability.
 
“If we were better at recycling, we could reduce the waste by 23 per cent,” says Jim Galbraith, Manager, Grounds Maintenance and Waste Management for Physical Plant and Capital Planning Services.
 
Physical Plant is supporting EnviroWestern’s initiatives throughout the week, including helping with the waste audit and campus cleanup, and an information kiosk on waste reduction and the university’s recycling initiatives – all held in the UCC atrium.
 
There will also be a garbage bin display outside the UCC patio to demonstrate the amount of waste produced daily by the campus community. Presentations on the recycling program in the residences will continue.
 
“We are trying to be as responsible as we can, but we still see garbage on the grounds. We see little signs that show there is still a long ways to go,” says Galbraith.
 
“We are responsible for what we purchase and how we dispose of what is waste versus recyclable,” he adds. “Just take a step and do the right thing.”
 
Many events have been scheduled throughout the week to promote environmentalism and sustainability.  Here is a list of some of the events:
 
All week – Oct. 19-23
 
*Submit a photo of you hugging a favourite tree or of something environmentally meaningful to EnviroWestern’s Hug a Tree and  Eco-photo contest. The deadline is Oct. 18. Winning photos on display during EnviroWeek in the University Community Centre (UCC) atrium. Submit to usc.environment@uwo.ca.
 
*Coffee cup collection continues until Oct. 18. Join executive members of EnviroWestern in UCC Room 310 at 5 p.m. each day to collect coffee cups across campus to add to a display.
 
*Displays by BullFrog Power, Reforest London, Environmental Science Students’ Association and the Biology Undergraduate Society in the atrium, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
 
*Get new fall accessories from the Eco-sale of ecologically responsible items, including reusable shopping and tote bags, house plants, blue boxes and compost kits.
 
*Calculate your eco-footprint by filling out a quiz at the EnviroWestern information table.
 
*Play eco-games ‘Bin Toss’ and ‘Garbage or No Garbage’ in the UCC atrium.
 
*Take a water blind-taste test. Can you detect a difference between bottled and tap water?
 
*Brainstorm on ways to make a better world by adding to a large poster display in the atrium and sidewalk chalk on Concrete Beach.
 
*Learn how to turn plastic bags into knitted purses.
 
Oct. 19
 
*EnviroWeek kick-off, University College Hill 10-11 a.m. - Join EnviroWestern in making a sign on University College Hill out of reused materials. Participate in other festivities.
 
*Drumming circle, UCC atrium noon-1 p.m. - Free session for students with drum circle leader Jack Barnes.
 
*Make your own EnviroWestern T-shirt, Visual Arts Building 1-5 p.m. - Home silk screening workshop. Register by e-mailing usc.environment@uwo.ca.
 
Oct. 20
 
Farmer’s Market on Concrete Beach.
 
Oct. 21
 
*Climate Change Awareness Group Biking Event, meet at UCC Concrete Beach at 5 p.m. - A group biking event around campus to raise awareness about climate change and alternative transport. Bring a helmet, bike and water. Free water bottles for participants.
 
Oct. 22
 
*Free Eco-giveaway - Mug users will receive free coffee at The Spoke and free hot beverage vouchers will be given out to mug users all day at the EnviroWestern information table. Water bottles and reusable grocery bags also distributed.
 
*Biotron Climate Change Research Facility Tour - Thursday and Friday at 3:30 p.m., sign up at Info Table in UCC atrium and meet at the EnviroWestern information table at 3:15 p.m. to meet the tour group leader. E-mail usc.environment@uwo.ca to register.
 
Oct. 23
 
*Eco-Photo & Hug a Tree photo contest awards ceremony, UCC Atrium noon to 1 p.m.
 
*Campus Wide Clean Up, UCC Atrium at 2 p.m. - Meet at the EnviroWeek information table for the campus-wide litter removal.
 
*Live Waste Audit 11 a.m., UCC Atrium

Also from this web page:

About

Hours

Weekdays
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(holidays excluded)

Contact

Publisher:
Helen Connell (hconnell@uwo.ca)

Editor:
Jason Winders (newseditor@uwo.ca)

Reporter/Photographer:
Paul Mayne (pmayne@uwo.ca)

Reporter/Photographer:
Heather Travis (htravis2@uwo.ca)

Advertising Coordinator:
Denise Jones (advertise@uwo.ca)

Off-Campus Advertising Sales:
Chris Amyot, Campus Ad (campusad@sympatico.ca)

National Advertising Representative:
Campus Plus

Phone:
519-661-2045

Fax:
519-661-3921

Mail:
Western News, Suite 360
Westminster Hall
The University of Western Ontario, London N6A 3K7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western provides the best student experience among Canada's leading research-intensive universities.