2008 Woodie Awards
Grounds clean-up via peer pressure
Amanda Pressley
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Forum
Guilford's sustainability department is responsible for passing out blue recycling bins and trash bags, offering reusable items for students' use in the Green Room (King B7), and allowing free usage of the potluck kit.
Sustainability's recycling slogan is "Close the GAPPS," referring to recycling glass, aluminum, plastic, paper and steel. But the theme goes beyond the blue recycling bins to involve and encourage the whole community to play an active role in environmental progress.
"Seeing your power as people to actually make change is how we bridge the gaps," Yarbray said.
To actually make change regarding Guilford's garbage issue, the college could employ several strategies. Other colleges such as Warren Wilson in Asheville and Berea in Kentucky teach students environmental consciousness by making them responsible for everything from housekeeping to grounds maintenance.
While creating a Guilford student work force and having mandatory attendance to grounds cleanup days are effective tactics, campus cleanliness can be achieved more easily.
"You've got to have peer pressure," said Yarbray. "You absolutely must have peer pressure."
Guilford students already do their fair share of peer pressuring. After months of research, meetings and discussions, we now have a different soda provider for our school and are working on contracting a more environmentally and socially conscious food provider. Our next step is just to start pressuring individuals who continue to toss their trash on our grounds.
So the next time you and your friends head down to the Meadows for a calming nature walk or for a wild outdoor party, bring along a trash bag.
Sustainability's recycling slogan is "Close the GAPPS," referring to recycling glass, aluminum, plastic, paper and steel. But the theme goes beyond the blue recycling bins to involve and encourage the whole community to play an active role in environmental progress.
"Seeing your power as people to actually make change is how we bridge the gaps," Yarbray said.
To actually make change regarding Guilford's garbage issue, the college could employ several strategies. Other colleges such as Warren Wilson in Asheville and Berea in Kentucky teach students environmental consciousness by making them responsible for everything from housekeeping to grounds maintenance.
While creating a Guilford student work force and having mandatory attendance to grounds cleanup days are effective tactics, campus cleanliness can be achieved more easily.
"You've got to have peer pressure," said Yarbray. "You absolutely must have peer pressure."
Guilford students already do their fair share of peer pressuring. After months of research, meetings and discussions, we now have a different soda provider for our school and are working on contracting a more environmentally and socially conscious food provider. Our next step is just to start pressuring individuals who continue to toss their trash on our grounds.
So the next time you and your friends head down to the Meadows for a calming nature walk or for a wild outdoor party, bring along a trash bag.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Lars Adams
posted 2/05/08 @ 6:57 AM EST
amen to this article! If were fortune enough to have as much "green" space as we do on our campus, we should have some common courtesy to keep it that way! And I'm a firm believer in the saying "It's not peer pressure. (Continued…)
mo grumbly
posted 2/08/08 @ 10:28 PM EST
good call. just an FYI outdoors club along with cooking club will be having a meadows/lake area clean up MARCH 19th during community time! check the buzz for more details. (Continued…)
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