On Thursday, Nov. 15, Niagara University joined thousands of local organizers holding recycling events across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day, the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States.
For most of the afternoon, the campus community was invited to the Gallagher Center’s lower level, where booths were set up to educate attendees on how to live more environmentally friendly.
- NU student Nicolette Sepielli collected cans and bottles to support the Recycle for a Cause fundraiser she founded, which is presently generating money for Camp Good Days and Special Times.
- Joleigh Washuta, community relations director at Modern Corporation, displayed a transparent recycling cart and show a video illustrating the single-stream recycling process.
- Unicco diplayed the cleaning products that the company uses on campus, and provide educational information.
- Sodexo had a table featuring the items they use to promote recycling, including reusable soup bowls, cups, etc.
- Members of Niagara University’s sustainable task force manned a laptop computer, allowing attendees to electronically sign the America Recycles Day pledge. For signing, individuals received a reusable bag full of eco-friendly giveaways, including pens made out of recycled water bottles, buttons and pencils.
At 12:30 p.m., the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University, signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
Since its inception in 1997, communities across the country have participated in America Recycles Day each November 15 to educate, promote environmental citizenship, and encourage action. Learn more at AmericaRecyclesDay.org.
The national recycling rate is currently at 34 percent. Recycling 75 percent of the nation’s waste would create nearly 1.5 million jobs by 2030, according to a report by the Tellus Institute with Sound Resource Management.
“We are very proud supporters of Niagara University’s America Recycles Day event and commend their efforts to promote recycling in Western New York. Recycling is the easiest thing we can all do to improve our community, conserve natural resources and create green jobs. Collectively, through events like these, we aim to make recycling bigger and better 365 days a year,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president of recycling at Keep America Beautiful and national program manager for America Recycles Day.
For more information on Niagara University’s sustainability efforts, please contact David Ederer at 716.286.8441 or ude.aragainnull@rereded.
