The Daily Bulletin Archive

In an effort to make Buffalo State College more environmentally responsible, a group of dedicated staff members launched a sustainability initiative calledEVERGREEN in 2004. Proponents today are quick to point out that the movement involves much more than just recycling.

According to Lauren A. White, a business services assistant with Campus Services and EVERGREEN volunteer, creating a greener campus is also about knowing what to recycle, conserving energy, and changing behaviors. She says that increased awareness is the key to success.

“I don’t think that people are trying to not recycle,” said White. “It’s about knowing what you actually can recycle. The list is growing—even bubble wrap, light bulbs, and hardcover books can be recycled now.”

Beyond being an initiative, EVERGREEN is also an organization open to all members of the Buffalo State community. Meetings are held weekly at 3:00 p.m. on the third floor of Central Receiving.

Members regularly inform the campus via the Daily and other communication vehicles about ways to conserve energy and be part of the green movement. Recent tips have included using both sides of paper for printing, switching from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs, and reusing plastic water bottles by filling them with filtered tap water.

Last year, EVERGREEN took efforts to a national scale by entering Buffalo State in RecycleMania, a 10-week waste-reduction competition begun in 2001 that now involves more than 400 colleges and universities across the United States. Institutions compete in various contests to see which collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita and which has the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, and the highest recycling rate. The biggest recyclers are recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Buffalo State is again involved in this year’s competition, which started on January 20 and ends April 5. As of March 1, Buffalo State ranked near the middle of all competition categories, faring best in waste minimization. While the overall goal of RecycleMania is to create public awareness, White strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students to boost recycling efforts in the remaining weeks of the competition.

Other EVERGREEN initiatives include participation inBuffalo Blue Bicycle, a community bicycle-lending program; “Don’t Throw It Out,” an end-of-semester collection of nonperishable food, appliances, clothing, and furniture from residence halls that is donated to local charities; public awareness information tables in the Campbell Student Union; and Earth Day activities, which include community cleanup projects, guest speakers, and contests. This spring, the organization will place 20 dual trash/recycle bins outside in the quad area between the Campbell Student Union and E. H. Butler Library.

EVERGREEN has accomplished much in a few short years, despite the lack of an official recycling department or budget. Members foresee plenty of room for growth in the coming years. Ambitions include an expansion of rooftop gardens, the installation of wind power, and updates to all lighting and climate systems across campus.

“There’s always room to grow,” said White. “The campus is big, and there’s always someone new to educate. We’re making great strides, and I’m happy with where we’re going. All it takes is a little bit from everybody.”