Chem Club going green
The USU Chemistry Club has a challenge for USU students: are you sustainable?
Tuesday on the Quad from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., students will have the chance to find out by participating in several activities designed to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Prizes will be awarded to the students who drop off the most ink-jet cartridges for recycling. Students can also assess USU’s efficacy in recycling by digging through Mt. Trashmore in search of recyclable materials that were thrown in with the trash, or compete for free stuff by throwing an Aggie Blue Bike.
Sara Huefner, Chemistry Club president, said once other green organizations on campus heard about her club’s plans for Earth Day, they wanted to join forces.
“Before we knew it, everyone on campus wanted to get involved with our Earth Day celebration and it grew into this big, fair-like event,” Huefner said.
Other organizations taking part in the Going Green Extravaganza include the USU Sustainability Council, USU Recycling and Aggie Recyclers Club, USU Wellness Center, USU Facilities, USU Parking and Transportation, Aggie Blue Bikes, Utah Conservation Corps, Student Organic Farm, Stokes Nature Center, Bioneers of Utah, Bridgerland Audobon Society, Society of Physics Students and the USU Rotary International Service Club, USU FCHD Club, USU Education Council, Seafood Watch and the USU College of Agriculture.
The convergence between personal health and environmental health will be demonstrated from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday with a 1.4 mile Wellness Walk sponsored by the Wellness Center, USU Facilities and the Sustainability Council.
Students concerned about damaging the environment by using too many plastic grocery bags will have the opportunity to make their own earth-friendly reusable bags for free.
The Taggart Student Center’s Juniper Theater will be the venue for the free screening of films such as “Global Warning?” and “Energy Crossroads: A Burning Need to Change Course” over the course of the day.
Entertainment will also be available in the evening. At 6 p.m. local bands will begin playing on a recycled cardboard stage on the Quad. Music lasts until 9 p.m.
Huefner said educating people about green living is a worthwhile cause.
“There are so many things a person can do to live a little greener and it’s so easy; there’s no reason not to begin,” she said.
Particularly not when the activities are fun and totally free.
-graham.terry@aggiemail.usu.edu