CSVC at EarthFest 2024

On Friday, April 19, 2024, students from Smith’s Center for Social Value Creation participated in EarthFest, an annual event hosted by the SGA Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability, Department of Resident Life, and the Residence Hall Association. Maura Friddle and Sarah Taylor organized CSVC’s activity, joined by Christopher Yeh, Keola Evans and Romir Chondra.

CSVC’s table at EarthFest featured a game where students had one minute to sort items based on whether or not they are recyclable on campus. Styrofoam egg cartons, no. Cardboard egg cartons, yes. Plastic bags, no - but they can be recycled at other locations, often at local grocery stores.

One of the main reasons people do not recycle as much as they could or would like to is confusion over what can and cannot be recycled. When people do recycle, they often make mistakes, such as including plastic containers still containing some food or liquid, which can contaminate the recyclables, adding increased cost to recycling and undermining many of the benefits.

Through this activity and our other ongoing initiatives on campus, CSVC empowers students to bring about the positive change they already aim for.