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Launching of GVSU Eco-Rep Project

Due to student interest, a new peer-to-peer group known as the Eco-Rep Project has been launched to promote sustainable initiatives around campus. Sponsored by the Sustainability Initiative and the Housing and Residence Life offices, these ecological representatives volunteer their time to create and implement sustainable projects and educate their peers about sustainable practices.

The focus of the P2P education program this year will be on educating the campus communities about composting in general, promoting Recyclemania! and implementing and running the Pizza Box Compost project in its pilot year (see below). The role of the Eco-Reps is crucial in making this a successful endeavor.

For more information on the Eco-Rep Project or to get involved, click here.

Pizza Boxes Are Piling Up!

The peer-to-peer group, Eco-Reps, has made the Pizza Box Project the first line in this year's agenda.

In an effort to get cardboard pizza boxes out of the trash stream, the Eco-Reps are promoting pizza box composting, encouraging students and campus residents to take boxes to one of the on-campus compost collection areas. The boxes will then be broken down into a usable product—some of which is used for the Sustainable Agriculture Project garden. Though it may seem like a small change, 1,356 cardboard boxes have already been collected in two short months, and the number is rising quickly!

Find out more about the project and see a map of composting locations here.

RecycleMania! in Full Swing

Running from Jan. 22nd-Mar. 31st, RecycleMania is a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in the United States that provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. Over a 10-week period, campuses compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.

After the first week, 167 bags of recycling were collected at the on-campus residents halls. Niemeyer and South CDE lead the charts with 23 bags of recycling each.

Find more information about GVSU RecycleMania here.

Register Now for the Women and Environment Symposium

West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Grand Valley State University’s Women’s Center and Sustainable Community Development Initiative are presenting the first Women & Environment Symposium on Thursday, March 29 at the GVSU L.V. Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Women & Environment Symposium will explore the intersection between women’s issues and environmental concerns, examining topics such as environmental impacts on women’s and children’s health, food and farming practices, eco-business and sustainable living, among several others. An invaluable opportunity for professionals and students alike to learn about the issues, their history and current success stories, the symposium is the first large-scale meeting between local leaders and stakeholders in the academic, business and activism communities focused on women and the environment.

Find more information on this event here.

Miss Representation Film Screening

This film explores the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media's limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman. Sponsored by the Women’s Center and the SCDI.

Monday – Feb 27th @ 4:00pm - Room 2204/KC
Tuesday – Feb 28th @ 6:00pm - Hager Auditorium/CHS
Wednesday – Feb 29th @ 6:00pm - 138E DeVos/Pew Campus

Check out the trailer. Find more information here.

Better Buildings for Michigan Initiative Partners with GVSU

With the goal of cutting energy bills by 20%, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council is partnering with Grand Valley State University to provide local homeowners an in-home energy saving assessment.

A Better Buildings for Michigan initiative, the program offers a subsidized home energy assessment for $100, with rebates available to cover some of that cost. GVSU faculty and staff – and Grand Rapids city residents in targeted areas – also can get discounts for hiring program contractors to make recommended upgrades, and are eligible for zero-interest financing on loans of up to $20,000. The program is also expanding to include non-GVSU referrals.

Read the full article here.

Dumpster Diving Volunteers Wanted!

On Monday, February 20th from 1-3pm two dumpster dives will be happening simultaneously—one outside of Fresh and the other in lot H across from Laker Village.

The GVSU Student Environmental Coalition will be heading up the event with the intention of raising awareness on recycling and composting. All are welcome to dive!

For more information, contact GVSUSEC@gmail.com.

In This Issue Launching of GVSU Eco-Rep Project Pizza Boxes Are Piling Up! RecycleMania! in Full Swing Register Now for the Women and Environment Symposium Miss Representation Film Screening Better Buildings for Michigan Initiative Partners with GVSU Dumpster Diving Volunteers Wanted!		Launching of GVSU Eco-Rep Project Due to student interest, a new peer-to-peer group known as the Eco-Rep Project has been launched to promote sustainable initiatives around campus. Sponsored by the Sustainability Initiative and the Housing and Residence Life offices, these ecological representatives volunteer their time to create and implement sustainable projects and educate their peers about sustainable practices. The focus of the P2P education program this year will be on educating the campus communities about composting in general, promoting Recyclemania! and implementing and running the Pizza Box Compost project in its pilot year (see below). The role of the Eco-Reps is crucial in making this a successful endeavor. For more information on the Eco-Rep Project or to get involved, click here. Pizza Boxes Are Piling Up! The peer-to-peer group, Eco-Reps, has made the Pizza Box Project the first line in this year's agenda. In an effort to get cardboard pizza boxes out of the trash stream, the Eco-Reps are promoting pizza box composting, encouraging students and campus residents to take boxes to one of the on-campus compost collection areas. The boxes will then be broken down into a usable product—some of which is used for the Sustainable Agriculture Project garden. Though it may seem like a small change, 1,356 cardboard boxes have already been collected in two short months, and the number is rising quickly! Find out more about the project and see a map of composting locations here. RecycleMania! in Full Swing Running from Jan. 22nd-Mar. 31st, RecycleMania is a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in the United States that provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. Over a 10-week period, campuses compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate. After the first week, 167 bags of recycling were collected at the on-campus residents halls. Niemeyer and South CDE lead the charts with 23 bags of recycling each. Find more information about GVSU RecycleMania here. Register Now for the Women and Environment Symposium West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Grand Valley State University’s Women’s Center and Sustainable Community Development Initiative are presenting the first Women & Environment Symposium on Thursday, March 29 at the GVSU L.V. Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids. The Women & Environment Symposium will explore the intersection between women’s issues and environmental concerns, examining topics such as environmental impacts on women’s and children’s health, food and farming practices, eco-business and sustainable living, among several others. An invaluable opportunity for professionals and students alike to learn about the issues, their history and current success stories, the symposium is the first large-scale meeting between local leaders and stakeholders in the academic, business and activism communities focused on women and the environment. Find more information on this event here. Miss Representation Film Screening This film explores the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media's limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman. Sponsored by the Women’s Center and the SCDI. Monday – Feb 27th @ 4:00pm - Room 2204/KC Tuesday – Feb 28th @ 6:00pm - Hager Auditorium/CHS Wednesday – Feb 29th @ 6:00pm - 138E DeVos/Pew Campus Check out the trailer. Find more information here. Better Buildings for Michigan Initiative Partners with GVSU With the goal of cutting energy bills by 20%, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council is partnering with Grand Valley State University to provide local homeowners an in-home energy saving assessment. A Better Buildings for Michigan initiative, the program offers a subsidized home energy assessment for $100, with rebates available to cover some of that cost. GVSU faculty and staff – and Grand Rapids city residents in targeted areas – also can get discounts for hiring program contractors to make recommended upgrades, and are eligible for zero-interest financing on loans of up to $20,000. The program is also expanding to include non-GVSU referrals. Read the full article here. Dumpster Diving Volunteers Wanted! On Monday, February 20th from 1-3pm two dumpster dives will be happening simultaneously—one outside of Fresh and the other in lot H across from Laker Village. The GVSU Student Environmental Coalition will be heading up the event with the intention of raising awareness on recycling and composting. All are welcome to dive! For more information, contact GVSUSEC@gmail.com.
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