Written By: Sarah
Sustainability Committee
This year, Lycoming has reinstated its sustainability to improve the college’s environmental impact. After being disbanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group comprises returning and new faculty and two student representatives. On March 9, the committee met to discuss various topics, including decreasing food and plastic waste from campus dining and catering, improving recycling rates, and planning events for Earth Week.
Dean Miller discussed a previously held meeting with Jason Walker, the manager of campus dining, on changes in the cafeteria. The first change is that employees will now ask students whether or not they need silverware when taking a green box, with the hope that those who have silverware in their rooms or are taking food that does not require the dishes. He also informed the committee that students had been better at returning green boxes and greatly appreciated this change.
Following these remarks, committee members discussed waste at catered events and sought to limit the food and plastic thrown out during such programming. The talk included a messaging service or post to inform students about leftovers and encourage students and faculty to bring to-go containers if attending catered events. Reducing the use of paper cups in the cafeteria, in general, and for those who use them to eat ice cream instead of washable bowls, was also discussed. There was potential for a restructuring of the cafeteria to provide larger bowls of ice cream to prevent paper cup waste or the implementation of a limit to the number of cups the cafeteria would provide each day. Both solutions are in discussion.
Earth week planning remains in the early stages, but the sustainability committee is working with Lycoming Environmental Awareness Foundation (LEAF) for fun environmental activities. On Monday, there will be chalk designs around campus with ecological facts. LEAF will have a meeting on Tuesday and will be holding a tote bag decorating fundraiser on Wednesday. This event will allow students to buy and decorate totes made from recycled materials. There is also tentative planning for a movie showing at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area later in the week. Service Saturday will consist of various cleanups, including one at the Lycoming Field Station. The committee hopes that this programming will raise environmental awareness on campus.
The committee always seeks new ideas and feedback on improving the campus. For any suggestions or feedback, contact student representative Sarah Lanphear at lansara1@Lycoming.edu or email any committee members. Interested students are also welcome to attend LEAF meetings to stay current on-campus sustainability and participate in nature-based events.
