Meet SustainUS: Bryant University’s Sustainability Club
As of the Fall 2018 semester, SustainUS has been working hard to establish itself as a well-recognized club on campus. According to SustainUS, the club’s mission is to “develop and implement projects to improve Bryant University’s campus sustainability efforts.”
With limited resources, they have already begun working to make some changes to Bryant’s Campus.
In October, SustainUS and the Sustainability Committee hosted a Farmer’s Market in the Rotunda, where local vendors came and sold products like flowers, homemade soaps, candles, fruits and vegetables, granola, jams & salsas, organic baked goods, dairy-free ice cream, and more. Pictured above: We Be Jammin’ (left) and Sparrow Soaps (right). Image credit: Bryant SustainUS
In February, SustainUs, in joint with Bryant’s Sustainability Comittee, held an E-Waste Recycling Drive in which they collected electronics such as computers, appliances, and electronic equipment to be donated to Goodwill Industries, where they are recycled in an environmentally-friendly way. This event helped to divert 12,116 pounds from entering landfills.Pictured above: Jim Vecchione, Executive Director of Facilities (left) and Dave Leduc, Assistant Facility Engineer (right) at the E-Waste Recycling Drive. Image Credit: Bryant SustainUS
In March, they collaborated with the Sustainability Committee to put on several events in honor of Recyclemania. The four events they put on included Textbook Recycling, an Office Supply Exchange, a Paper Shredding event, and a Green Office Cleanout.
Pictured above: some of our faculty participating in the Green Office Cleanout. Image Credit: Bryant SustainUS
On March 28th, SustainUS participated in the Earth Day Fair in the Rotunda. At this fair were vendors who support sustainability efforts on campus, as well as campus programs regarding various sustainability initiatives. SustainUs and the Bryant Arts and Creativity Club co-produced a photo booth made of recycled cardboard, paper, plastic water bottles, and other recycled items.
Pictured above: SustainUS e-board members, Isabel Purdum (left) and Lydia Paglierani (right) posing with our photo booth props. Image Credit: Bryant SustainUS
Throughout the past couple weeks, SustainUS e-board members have diligently been collecting signatures from Bryant students, faculty, and staff on a petition to eliminate single-use plastics such as straws, plastic cutlery, plastic baggies, etc., and urge the school to replace these disposable plastics with more sustainable options, like paper straws, bamboo cutlery, and recycled paper bags. (Stay tuned for the outcome of this amazing initiative!)
On Earth Day (Monday, April 22), SustainUS will be hosting an outdoor study session on the lawn outside of the Koffler Communication Complex from 12pm-4pm. There will be free food, and WJMF will be playing music. Stop on by to get some homework or studying done while enjoying the nice weather!
Also on Earth day, at 7pm, SustainUS, along with the RA’s of Charlestown House (Hall 1), will be putting on a Sustainability Trivia Night, complete with prizes for the winners!
SustainUS will continue to take an active role in the student life here at Bryant, and they are excited to implement various events and activities on the Bryant campus to increase awareness about sustainable practices that all Bryant students can carry out.
The official meeting time (for the remainder of the Spring 2019 semester) for general members of SustainUS is every other Thursday at 4pm in room 342 in the Unistructure. A meeting time for the upcoming semester (Fall 2019) is not yet established, so make sure to contact SustainUS to be added to their email list for updates. All students are welcome and highly encouraged to join! SustainUS is always looking for students with new perspectives and creative ideas.
Reach out to SustainUS on social media or through email, with any questions, concerns, or interest!
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