9/7 Meeting Highlights

A few highlights of the University of Alabama Environmental Council's first meeting:

Many students expressed interest in the formation of an organic garden on campus, which may include a compost bin.

A representative from the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the Sierra Club shared a concern about how pollutants from herbicides and pesticides used on university grounds wash into the Warrior River. This is an issue that can be amended by advocating for manual weeding methods over chemical treatment of campus lawns.

Efforts to promote recycling on the quad before and after all home football games are going well. It has been mentioned that finding additional means of informing visitors and/or emphasizing that the blue bins and bags are meant for depositing aluminum and plastic may be necessary to prevent the mixing of trash and recyclable materials. Anyone who wants to help out with Game Day recycling efforts should look for the blue UA RECYCLING tent on the quad THIS SATURDAY.

Issues regarding glass-recycling drives were discussed. The UAEC still needs help transporting glass to Birmingham on a monthly basis. Anyone who makes a regular commute to Birmingham is encouraged to contact Mika Carpenter, UAEC glass recycling coordinator, at mikacarpenter@aol.com.

Promoting advocacy of environmental issues in elementary schools was mentioned as something UAEC members could pursue.

Many students residing in dorms noted that they have not received a white box to store recyclable materials. It has been suggested that they take the issue up with their housing directors.

The GREENER WAY FOR UA Campaign was introduced. Part of the campaign entailed the anonymous adhering of mini-signs (www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/agreenerwayforua/PUT_ABOVE_TRASHCAN.pdf) above trashcans and wastebaskets at UA (NOTE: USE STICKY-TACK or something similar).

The UAEC may be planning a hiking and/or camping adventure with UA Outdoor Rec. The trip will be discussed at future meetings.

One member is researching claims regarding Kimberly-Clark's poor environmental performance and is looking into a movement that seeks to eliminate the supply of its products to major institutions such as UA. For more information, see http://www.kleercut.net/en/.


Other things to dig:

Volunteers and visitors to UA's Arboretum (http://www.bama.ua.edu/~arboretum/) are always welcome. Check out the cobbing project that makes the use of natural building methods.

Creative Campus is sponsoring an Art Contest & Auction featuring works inspired by nature and/or created from recycled material. The display will be featured at the UA Green Fair. Contest winners can receive up to $150 in book and supply scholarships from the SUPe Store. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 28. See www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/uagreenfair/uagreenfairartcontest.pdf for more details.

Volunteers for the UA Green Fair (Oct. 2 – Ferg Plaza) are still needed. Contact Dr. Fran Oneal (foneal@ua.edu) for more information. The next meeting for UA Green Fair coordinators is THIS FRIDAY (Sept. 12) in the Student Lounge on the second floor of Nott Hall.
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The SGA Department of Environmental Concerns will be meeting THIS WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. in room 204 A of the Ferguson Center. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Don’t forget to join the University of Alabama Environmental Council group on Facebook!