The EcoNuts held their “Trash to Treasure” crafting event on Oct. 22, from noon until 2 p.m. in the common area of Sherrod Library as part of ETSU’s Sustainability Week.
Students and staff of all ages could be found making spider magnets, bat toilet paper rolls, monster bottles and Halloween themed pencil cups.
While the EcoNuts have held several crafting events in the past, the “Trash to Treasure” branding is new, and member Sydney Jobe hopes it will attract new students to the club.
“We collect recyclables after football games, hand out trash bags at tailgates and hold events on-campus,” she said. “EcoNuts has taught me a lot. I took an environmental science class in high school, and that’s when I fell in love. But since I have joined, I have learned more about what can be recycled, fun facts about the environment and more. Honestly, it has been so much fun.”
Jobe said not as many students are getting involved as they would like, but said she can see why.
“I feel like being green is not a priority for people,” said Jobe. “They have so much going on with school and homework that when someone mentions it to them, they take it as an attack like they are doing something wrong.”
The EcoNuts seek to educate students about sustainability in a positive way. Their next event is “Do It in the Dark” and will take place on Nov. 1 in Tri-Hall Field. Students can find glow-in-the-dark games and activities that encourage people to get out of their dorms, turn off their lights and save energy.
The EcoNuts are a group of student workers that are paid by the Department of Sustainability who are dedicated to saving our planet and making our campus more earth-friendly. They help run and plan sustainability events and initiatives on campus.
