Earth Week Wrap Up
The 5th anniversary of Earth Week on campus added some new events to the old favorites.
We kicked off the week by planting two trees in front of the Durham Research Center— commemorating Arbor Day, and celebrating our designation by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA.
On Tuesday the campus voted for their favorite Repurpose It contest entries. There were 40 fantastic projects to choose from and here are your winners:
- Popular Vote: 20 minute massage from the Wellness Center & $25 gift certificate to The Union Junktion store
- Jessica Odvody, Rotary Hoe-Flower Yard Art
- Habitat for Humanity Restore: $25 gift certificate to the Restore
- Mike McGlade, Pallet/Planter- Patio Table with Drink Chiller
- Reclaimed Enterprises: Handcrafted serving tray made by Barnwood Trays & 10% discount at Reclaimed Enterprises
- Dot Northwall, Kitchen Island of Shutters/Stairs/Fence/Curtain Rod
- Verdis Group: 20 minute massage from the Wellness Center
- Jocelyn Pearson, Center Pivot Swing Set
- LiveGreen Committee: One received a gift certificate to The Company Store, the other a UNMC Bookstore gift bag.
- Samantha Straw: Pallet/construction supplies- Dog House
- Kelli Ryan: Leftover Floorboards -Wall Art
You can see the projects here. We hope you will be inspired to repurpose items at home and take pictures to enter next year’s contest!
We added single use alkaline batteries and techno trash to the electronic-recycling and personal document shredding collection. We received over 4 tons of material, provided identity protection to donors, and sent it to be recycled instead of to the landfill. This equals the size of a white rhinoceros, and will prevent 12 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, equivalent to not consuming 1,350 gallons of gasoline.
5,049 lbs of electronics
2,788 lbs of paper
389 lbs of techno trash
92 lbs of batteries
The first Sustainability Expo capped off the Earth Week festivities. Attendees picked the brains of master gardeners, tasted great recipes using high-protein plant sources like quinoa and bulgur, and learned about recycling on campus and at home. There was information about green cleaning, the Commuter Challenge, Vermicomposting, UNMC student bicycling club, tele-health and wellness, and as a special treat, a fun remote control car race that will help kick off TravelSmart on campus June 1st.
Thank you for attending and for your interest in Earth Week on campus. If you have any ideas for next year or would like to help plan activities, please email livegreen@unmc.edu.
