May 7, 2009
Illinois Valley Community College celebrated Earth Day with student activities in the campus courtyard.
Over 30 people attended the event engaging in activities such as making organic bird-feeders, reading literature and signing the various petitions that were available. The petitions cited goals of attaining an electric trash compactor for the school and moving the school toward a non-bleached paper standard. Most paper used is bleached white by chlorine, a process that has the potential to create dioxins and organochlorines.
Earth Day volunteers expressed the desire for IVCC to become a Green School. Green schools conform to a list of environment-friendly practices in their operation. A checklist of Green School actions is available at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website, http://www.epa.state.il.us/p2/green-schools/ along with information on the green school program. The program addresses a wide variety of issues including energy use, solid waste generation, indoor air quality, pest management, mold growth and water consumption. “We’re hoping to download the list and start checking things off within the next few years,” said IVCC sociology professor and event coordinator Christine Dove.
Posters were placed in the main foyer of the college representing a variety of environmental issues ranging from paper and recycling, to renewable energy and plastic bottle concerns. One poster reported that approximately eighty six percent of an excess of thirty billion plastic bottles sold annually in America are not recycled. The pollution involved in the manufacturing and sale of bottled water is a growing environmental concern.
“It takes six times the amount of water to produce a bottle of water than is held in an average bottle.” cited Dove, “This is because of the water needed to cool the bottle after it is molded.”
During the event a display advertised the “Cell-phones for Soldiers” program. Unwanted used cell-phones are collected from donations and sent to a company who then determines the cell-phone components’ worth and issues a check back to the program. The money is used to prepare boxes to send to the troops.
The Green Way Clothing Program was also featured at the event. T-shirts were sold at $15 per shirt. For every 8 shirts sold, an acre of forest is able to be saved.
A brochure provided information on local organic, vegetarian and vegan restaurants and stores. In addition, fliers were distributed with tips and information on recycling as well as suggestions on local or personal behaviors that can help save the environment. Some of the suggestions were gathered from faculty at IVCC.
Eric Schroeder, IVCC biology professor, suggested reusing coffee cups and estimated that through this method he has saved approximately 250 cups a year. In addition, Schroeder advocates a paperless classroom noting that most of his tests and assignments are received via computer.
Mike Phillips, IVCC geography professor, suggested recycling by planting a garden and composting grass clippings, vegetable waste and other biodegradables. Greg Oseland, IVCC professor of anatomy and physiology, suggested reusing water bottles. Free cloth reusable grocery bags, as well as reusable water bottles were distributed at the event.
Volunteers also handed out fliers advertising the La Salle County Green Fete Festival. Fete is a French word meaning an elaborate outdoor party. The festival will take place Sunday, June 7 from noon to 7 p.m. in LeHigh Park in Oglesby and will feature live music, dancing and speakers on green living, organic foods, solar energy, vegetarian and raw foods, tips on recycling and more.