As the EcoReps Coordinator, I organized and hosted UW's first and second annual Trashion Show to celebrate Earth Day and beckon audience members to re-imagine waste. The costumes engaged and educated a broad audience on current waste issues by highlighting unique ways to reduce and reuse. We also collaborated with UW Recycling to promote the goal of 70% waste reduction by 2020. Models donned fantastical outfits designed by students and professionals, such as "Wasted in Waste," a suit of armor fashioned out of recycled beer
cans designed to remind students of the waste created from a casual night
out. After the master blacksmith Rainier
forged the mountainous armor, there have been sightings of the fabled Knight in
Foaming Armor battling terrifying wizards with imbued beer staffs and towering
red cup dragons. The Knight always
prevails, eventually sending his foes back to the depths of the recycling bin
where they belong.
In 2013, the Trashion Show was back by popular demand! We received incredible recognition from King 5 News that boosted the second annual Trashion Show to new heights.
In 2013, the Trashion Show was back by popular demand! We received incredible recognition from King 5 News that boosted the second annual Trashion Show to new heights.
EcoReps partnered with UW Recycling and Custodial Services to pilot a paper towel composting project. Paper towel compost bins were installed in the three main campus libraries. EcoReps helped organize the installation of the bins, and conducted surveys for feedback to use to further strengthen the pilot. In the next year, EcoReps will continue their work to roll this pilot out across campus.
As the EcoReps Coordinator, I designed and created the Green Greek Certification, a program that acknowledges and educates Greek community members about their habits at home relating to sustainability. It is accomplished through an informal audit process focusing on sustainable infrastructure, education and behaviors concerning energy use, water use, transportation, and waste diversion. Chapters are recognized at different levels of certification based on the criteria met. The levels of certification are Bronze, Silver and Gold.
The criteria proved to be very difficult complete, so EcoReps paired with Greek Sustainability Officers to host a Green Greek Competition, introducing the community to green practices and better preparing them to complete the Green Greek Certification.
The criteria proved to be very difficult complete, so EcoReps paired with Greek Sustainability Officers to host a Green Greek Competition, introducing the community to green practices and better preparing them to complete the Green Greek Certification.
EcoReps also organized the Fall Campus Cleanup for "W Day," a day in celebration of the University of Washington's birthday. We co-promoted the event and worked with Honest Tea to attract as many participants possible. Students, faculty, and staff gathered garbage and recycling that littered the campus going above and beyond, beating last year's record of 142 lbs with a new record of 263 lbs. Of the 263 lbs, 157 lbs was garbage and the remaining 106 lbs was recycling.