USC Green Week - Living a Sustainable Life
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Monday, September 20th will be the start of USC Green Week: a week of sustainability-focused projects and events to engage in. Students can take this time not only to participate in the events and sign the USC Sustainability Pledge, but think about the ways we are mindful of our planet. Read on for some sustainability tips and helpful actions you can do too!
With USC Green Week coming up next Monday, from September 20 – 25th, there will be events to attend, clubs to sign up for, and educational opportunities that empower the USC community to contribute to our sustainability goals. It will end on Saturday with the USC vs Oregon State “Green Game” as part of the PAC-12 Zero Waste Challenge (let’s win this!).
This week also presents a time for the USC community to reflect on daily life and recognize our own actions that increase sustainability and reduce environmental impact. For example, some efforts I take include eating meatless meals half of the days in the week and not buying fast fashion frequently. These actions are hard to do sometimes, but when it comes to sustainability it is so important to have the attitude of every action counts; it all adds up to make a difference.
If you’re interested, sign this USC Sustainability pledge, read the list of actions to take, and make these small changes in you life!
On top of the tips offered in the pledge, I would like to share some of my own:
Avoid single-use disposable items, and let a restaurant know when you don’t need a set of plastic utensils for takeout.
Compost your food waste, and check out how to use the new campus waste bins here.
Also, use the green food waste bins if you live in a residential hall!
Shop for secondhand clothes as an alternative to fast fashion, and donate your clothes when you don’t need them anymore!
Limit the frequency of your online rushed-delivery purchases.
Buy local and buy organic!
Install the Ecosia extension on Chrome - you search the web, and it uses the ad income to plant trees!
New Multi Stream Waste Bins on Campus
Food Waste Bins in Residential Halls
Additionally, next week, students are encouraged to check out the sustainability-oriented clubs on campus and join or participate in them. For example the USC Garden Club, Environmental Student Association (ESA), or the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)! Many of these clubs have meetings throughout the weeks that anyone can attend!
Lastly, some of the events of Green Week include:
Monday, 9/20: Eco Monday Meatless Menu in the USC Village Dining Hall
Tuesday, 9/21: Virtual Seminar: “Reimagine sustainability. A career to build a better world.”
Wednesday, 9/22 - Thursday, 9/23: Fall Virtual Career fair featuring jobs and internships under a green employer!
Thursday, 9/23: Healthy Habits Seminar Series
Friday, 9/24: Sign Painting and Planter Upcycling hosted by the USC Garden Club
Saturday, 9/25: Zero Waste “Green Game:” USC vs. OSU
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