In its first three months, the recycling program at ETSU has collected more than 51,000 pounds of recyclable products, according to Tyler Gavigan, a worker within ETSU’s maintenance and grounds. Plastic alone measured more than 5,800 pounds, which is a large amount of plastic considering its weight.
Environmental efforts are visible on ETSU campus. The student group Initiative for Clean Energy (ICE) launched the recycling program last fall as part of its “Blue and Gold Make Green” efforts.
“I think people are starting to realize that what we are doing to the environment is not good,” said Elana Gulas, president of ICE.
“If you want the earth to be beautiful for our grandkids, you have to do something now,” said Gulas.
ICE also adopted the Yellow Bike Program in which it provides a free bicycle as an alternative to driving a vehicle to travel across campus. Students, faculty and staff members can check out a bike at the back desk inside the CPA. Individuals must present an ETSU ID card. They then will receive a helmet and lock key.
Five yellow bikes were parked outside the CPA on Friday around noon.
Gulas said she did not believe the program was very popular now, but hopes for more interest in the future.
The organization recently received a grant from the Student Activities Allocations Committee to purchase more bikes.
The Culp Center’s renovations are also turning the campus more environmentally friendly.
Changes like switching to low-flow toilets has cut down on water use and, in turn, reduced water bills. Such measures seem more costly at first, but “in the long run, these purchases are really going to benefit the university,” said Gulas.
On April 8 and 9, students will vote on the ICE-proposed green fee, a fee of $5 for each student that will fund other “green” projects like hybrid lighting, solar panels and fluorescent light bulb exchange.
More information is available on the Environmental Studies Web site: www.etsu.edu/environmentalstudies.
While some students may feel the fee would be an unnecessary requirement, Gulas said, “Five dollars isn’t much, but it can make a huge difference.”
The fee would set up a committee and the committee would vote on environmental projects.
Gulas said she hopes the students realize this is their money to work with.
“As a university we can make a huge impact,” said ICE Vice President Micky Morton. Possible projects for the committee to consider include installing solar panels, switching to fluorescent light bulbs, and planting green roofs, roofs covered with vegetation.
Gulas said she hopes to see more environmental classes on campus. One example she used was environmental construction where students would learn how to construct environmentally-friendly buildings.
“I’d like to see the university incorporate sustainability into their education,” she said. This year, ETSU will celebrate Earth Day on April 17 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Borchuck Plaza. Along with tables set for environmental groups and voter registration, Ras Alan, Hot Groove, and the ETSU bluegrass band will perform.

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