Student Government Association to Sponsor Purple Goes Green Week to Promote Environmental Sustainability

In acknowledgement of Earth Day and the importance of environmental sustainability, the College of the Holy Cross Student Government Association (SGA) will sponsor Purple Goes Green Week from Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26. The goal of the week is to educate the campus community about vital environmental concerns and issues.

“Holy Cross is striving to become a more sustainable, environmentally conscious college, both through administrative initiatives and through simple changes students and faculty are making to their daily habits,” says Emily Sullivan ’14, SGA director of environmental concerns. “Purple Goes Green Week is a way for the campus to share their sustainable achievements, while simultaneously educating others on how to make their lives greener,” she continues.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 22, all day

20 percent off all purple and green items in the bookstore

Tuesday, April 23, 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Waste Management composting education table in Kimball Dining Hall. Kimball Dining began composting in November with the help of Waste Management. In Kimball all food waste and compostable items (such as napkins) are separated from trash and collected by Waste Management. The compost is then taken and used as land cover in western Massachusetts. Composting takes what would otherwise be considered waste and transforms it into something productive and beneficial. Come by the education table to learn more about how the composting process works and why it’s one of Holy Cross’ most sustainable initiatives of the year.

Wednesday, April 24, 10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

“Eco Chic” Eco-Friendly Show in Cool Beans (co-sponsored by SGA, Eco-Action and Fashion Society). This fashion show is completely sustainable and shows students that reusing clothing is both fashionable and environmentally friendly. Using clothing entirely purchased at second-hand stores, students can learn the benefits of buying second-hand clothing: it’s less expensive, equally stylish, and makes a much smaller environmental impact than buying brand new clothing.

Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Waste Audit with Waste Management in the Hogan Courtyard. Trash from Hogan, Stein, and one of the residence halls will be collected, transported to the Hogan Courtyard, and weighed. Students passing by will be encouraged to guess how much of the trash’s weight is comprised of recyclable materials. Student volunteers will then sort through the trash, separate the recyclables, and finally weigh the recyclable material. Using this data, we will get a better idea of how effectively the Holy Cross community recycles in different locations all over campus. Waste Management will also be at the audit, to educate students, faculty, and staff about the College’s new single stream recycling system. Friday, April 25, 12:15 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Relay for Life’s Environmental “Figure it Out.” As part of this year’s Relay for Life’s Nickelodeon theme, the popular game show “Figure It Out” will have a sustainable twist. Guess the environmental phrase related to Holy Cross and win a Flying Rhino gift certificate.

Additionally, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to purchase Purple Goes Green Week water bottles and to register to win light bulbs and other eco-friendly giveaways at the Hogan Lobby tables between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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