Green Corner
Welcome to the Green Corner, a new space devoted to informing the Exeter community about what’s happening on the student environmental club front and within the causes they serve. In my new role as Sustainability Education Coordinator, I’ve spent much of my early time conducting reconnaissance on campus sustainability and environmental initiatives as I try to establish a baseline of just what it is that we’re up to. To my pleasure, I’ve discovered so much that I simply didn’t know existed, from the work of the ten (TEN!) student environmental clubs; to curricular opportunities like Ecology, Ornithology, Sustainable Agriculture and Lit and the Land; to off-campus programs like the Exeter Explorations trips to the Bahamas, Arizona and Utah; to the stewardship efforts of the Natural Resources Committee; to the work of the Sustainability Advisory and Climate Action Day Planning Committees. In short, far more is happening on campus than I have room to enumerate here, and frankly, I find this reality extremely exciting. My hope for the Exonian Green Corner is that it will help broaden your awareness of the campus environmental scene and act as a catalyst to get involved.
Today, I’d like to highlight the E-Proctors, a club comprising 67 student environmental leaders committed to promoting and building a culture of environmental awareness and responsibility among the Exeter student body. E-Proctors are currently working on a variety of projects, mostly addressing campus waste management practices like trash, recycling and composting.
Dorm Cleanout
E-Proctors have piloted a weekly dorm cleanout in each of the dorms as a way of increasing our recycling compliance, supporting our custodial staff and educating students about what can be recycled (hint: it’s far more than you think!). I know the E-Proctors are grateful for your support of this project.
Terracycle
Terracycle is a New Jersey company that collects difficult-to-recycle packaging and products in an effort to repurpose the material into affordable, innovative products. E-Proctors have revived several Terracycle brigades to collect and repurpose dry erase markers and energy bar wrappers.
Composting
While we compost in both of our dining halls, the E-Proctors are looking at ways to make composting even more accessible in areas like Grill. E-Proctors are also looking at a variety of options to eliminate or reduce our disposal of compostable hand towels located in campus bathrooms.
Tiny Trash
Tiny Trash is an initiative introduced by Senior Manager of Sustainability and Natural Resources Jill Robinson. Tiny Trash looks to replace large trash cans with small ones as a visual reminder that the bulk of what we discard can actually be recycled, rather than thrown out. E-Proctors are looking to support Robinson’s program by expanding it to pilot dormitories.
The Exchange
Located in the basement of the Davis Center, the Exchange is a program that collects clothing that might otherwise wind up in a landfill, instead donating it to those in need and offering it for resale. Each term’s profits go to a charity of the Exchange’s choosing. If you have clothing that you’re looking to donate, you can drop it off at the Sustainability Office (PAC 202) or in the Exchange Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marketing
E-Proctors are looking at ways to better market campus environmental initiatives through venues like the Green Corner, WPEA, and elsewhere.
That’s it for now. If I can answer any questions about student environmental initiatives, or if you’re interested in discussing how to get involved, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. And stay tuned for future Green Corner articles from other student environmental clubs:
Adopt-a-Beach
Animal Rights
Beekeeping
DORSAL
Environmental Action Committee (EAC)
E-Proctors
Exeter Wildlife and Conservation Club (EWCC)
Farm and Garden Club
Outing Club
Upcycling and The Exchange