Issue 5 April 2013

In This Issue: Zero Waste

Earth Day Festivities…………..........................03

Green Tech….………….……………............04

Sustainable Organizations………… ………..06

Living Tips…............................... ..........................08

Local Attractions...................................................09

Ecohouse Community Garden…….................11

International Perspectives.……………..……13

Where Are They Now?......................................14

Opportunities...……...........................................15

Expressions……..……........................................17

Around Campus…...............................................19

Personal Sustainability.........................................21

DIY…............................................ .........................22

Move Out…………………… ……………..23

Cover Photo: One of the first buds of spring found

on a geocache hike at The Ridges.

Photographer: Megan Graver

On The Cover

09

08

Learn about some easy ways to

reduce waste with tips from EcoReps.

11

2

From the Director Trash. It’s everywhere. It blows in

front of pedestrians on the bike path,

it lines the streets after a weekend of

parties and it gets kicked across my

office floor. When we think about

the word, “trash,” it is clear that the

word has devolved into a catch-all

for any items that we consider

unwanted or no longer of use to us as

individuals. Collectively, though, I

would argue that we are able to

redefine our understanding of this

word to allow for a more responsible

approach to resource use and

reallocation in our community.

In this “Zero Waste” issue of Routes,

our student, faculty, staff and community leaders take us on a personal

and communal journey to redefining how we approach the waste in our

lives. The options for resource allocation, donation, repurposing,

recycling and avoiding are plentiful. We’re here to go on this journey

with you. Zero Waste is, after all, a concept that can only be truly

successful if we are to embrace it as an entire community.

So, Office of Sustainability will jump into the Zero Waste movement

with both feet. We are committing to proactively approach our budget,

staffing and programming in a way that significantly reduces our

office’s footprint. Additionally, we are currently in conversations with

a variety of student and staff leaders at OHIO to build an educational

program on Zero Waste/Sustainable events. If your student

organization can help us commit to Zero Waste events at OHIO, we’re

here to help you succeed. Beginning Fall 2013, Office of Sustainability

will offer interactive and informative workshops about how to create a

Zero Waste event of your very own.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our community. Each time

a new commitment is made to sustainability, our future gets a little bit

brighter. If this issue of Routes excites you, we’d love to have you join

our staff of volunteers. Send me an email at sustainability@ohio.edu

and we’ll find the perfect position for your talents!

Annie Laurie Cadmus Director of Sustainability

Ohio University

Routes Magazine

Editors Megan Graver / Reporting and Outreach

Jaymie Tighe / Lead Communications

Contributors Katie Lasco / Writer

Jennifer Jarvis / Writer

Alex Slaymaker /Writer

Austin Stahl / Writer

Liz Emley / Writer

Bekky Hobson / Writer

Markie Miller / Writer

Director Annie Laurie Cadmus

Original Layout Created by: Neal Patten

Keep In Touch:

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Also on Earth Day...Move-Out Collection Begins!

Check out pages 23 & 24 for more information about this year’s

move-out program: Move-Out Matters. There are many responsible

move-out practices that can make your move-out easier while help-

ing Athens area residents. Thank you for contributing to the quality

of life in this region by participating in these efforts.

4

Cut through the dirty work of geocaching with the app Geo-

caching Toolkit iGCT. This free app can simplify difficult GPS

calculations while converting degrees, minutes, seconds, geo-

graphical coordinates, and more. It also helps you decrypt

hint text to plain text, pointing you in the right direction to

your next hidden treasure.

Reduce your e-waste and compute green. It’s

easy to configure your laptop’s power-saving set-

tings to cut your energy consumption. Use your

sleep, hibernation, or dimmer display modes

when you step away from your computer. These

easy changes can be accessed through your set-

tings or control panel and will end up saving the

life of your battery and allow you to avoid end-

less charging. Of course, the best way to save

energy used by your computer is to shut down

and unplug when not in use!

Green Tech Jaymie Tighe

Reduce your carbon footprint by sharing a ride from the OHIO campus to your

hometown. The Ohio University Ride Board can be accessed through the Ride Board da-

tabase where students, faculty and staff can arrange shared transportation. If you’re not

comfortable sharing rides with strangers, the GO BUS is a public transportation option

many students utilize, conveniently routing Athens to Columbus, Marietta, and Cincinnati.

Tickets typically cost $5-$10 one-way. Safe travels!

What is your carbon footprint? Find out at http://www.carbonfootprint.com/

5

Sustainable Organizations Katie Lasco

Planning for a Zero Waste Future

in Appalachia Ohio

For anyone planning on attending the Nelsonville

Music Festival this summer on May 30-June 2, be

on the lookout for reusable beverage cups, a porta-

ble conveyor belt for sorting recycled materials, and

over 150 trash-monitoring volunteers. If these waste

-reducing tactics are successful, the event may ac-

complish its goal of achieving “zero waste” for

2013. Over the past few years, organizers of this

popular event have been working to decrease the

amount of waste generated at the festival, progress-

ing from 35% recycled materials in 2011 to 72% in

2012. In fact, the project is actually part of a larger

movement in the region called the “Zero Waste Ini-

tiative.”

In 2010, the Zero Waste Initiative was established

by the community organization Rural Action in col-

laboration with the Voinovich School of Leadership

and Public Affairs at Ohio University. The Nelson-

ville Music Festival is just one of numerous projects

the initiative has completed over the last few years

to further their goal of building a zero waste econo-

my in Appalachian Ohio, ranging from private busi-

ness consulting to hosting a national Waste to

Wealth Summit.

By definition, zero waste requires achieving at least

a 90% diversion rate of discarded materials. Cur-

rently, our economy uses resources in a linear

system, by producing, using, and then disposing.

But according to Erin Sykes, Administrative Assis-

tant for the initiative, “When you’re thinking about

zero waste, you’re thinking about the entire cycle.

It’s a loop, not linear.” Achieving zero waste would

transform this into a closed system, where materials

are reused, composted, or recycled at the end of

their life cycle.

When the Zero Waste Initiative began, recycling

rates in the Athens-Hocking county waste district

were at a mere 8.9%. By conducting a comprehen-

sive feasibility study that included surveys of resi-

dents, community forums, and case study analyses,

it was determined that the two driving causes were

lack of access to recycling and lack of education. In

some areas of the district, the only window of time

for residents to recycle was a four hour period once

each month when a truck stopped at a curb, said ini-

tiative Director Kyle O’Keefe. Since then, improve-

ments have been made by placing permanent recy-

cling bins in these locations.

Furthermore, staff members are currently using re-

sults from the study to create a 10 year Zero Waste

Action Plan with the ultimate goal to achieve zero

waste in the Athens-Hocking County Waste District.

The plan will be finalized in December of 2013, and

will address the challenges outlined by the feasibil-

ity study by developing strategies for education and

outreach, infrastructure improvements, local and

institutional policies, economic development, and

natural resource preservation. Goals for the 10 year

mark will also align with those outlined for waste

reduction in Ohio University’s Sustainability Plan

and Climate Action Plan.

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Lastly, behavior change is a key component of the

success of this effort. At the basic level, “everything

around you is considered waste at some point,” said

O’Keefe. “Waste is either a liability or an asset, and

people can make actions to change that by recycling.”

All of the projects the Zero Waste Initiative is under-

taking seek to provide infrastructure and resources so

that recycling can become the social norm in place of

waste disposal. At the Nelsonville Music Festival this

year, attendees will be encouraged to bring food in re-

usable containers and to recycle materials they gener-

ate at the event. These actions will be reinforced by

visible educational materials and the presence of vol-

unteers. Each person is responsible for their own

waste, but every individual action will contribute to

building a zero-waste event.

ATRIUM CAFÉ RECIEVES NATIONAL

GREEN AWARD Jaymie Tighe

Congratulations to the Grover Center Atrium Café for

becoming certified by the national Green Restaurant Association

for its environmentally friendly operations! To read more about

the national recognition the Atrium Café has received, click on

the links below to be directed to news sources in the Athens

community.

ATHENS OHIO TODAY COMPASS WOUB

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For Rent: OHIO Ecohouse

8133 Dairy Lane, Athens:

This rustic, fully-furnished 3-bedroom house is the ideal

setting for any undergraduate or graduate student inter-

ested in learning about sustainable living. Residents of

the house enroll in a one-credit Ecohouse Seminar each

semester to enhance the experience and support stu-

dents in their interest with sustainable projects. Resi-

dents are encouraged to participate in professional and

personal development activities during their time in the

house. Residents develop strong leadership & commu-

nication skills, explore professional development oppor-

tunities, become better prepared for a job search and

gain valuable skills.

House Features:

Solar Panels

Solar Thermal

Large yard

Fire pit

Storage shed

Fully-furnished

Front porch

Access to hiking trails

Compost bin and vermi-composter

Rain barrel and grey water systems

Free Community Garden plot for each resident

Large kitchen (appliances and utensils provided!)

To apply, send an email to: sustainability@ohio.edu

Now accepting

applications for

2014-2015!

ohio.edu/ecohouse

8

Now accepting

applications for

2014-2015!

Living Tips (Liz Emley)

ZERO WASTE 1. Only take/purchase as much food as you can eat to

reduce waste. Don’t let your eyes be bigger than your

stomach.

2. Buy biodegradable utensils, cups, etc. at the markets

instead of Styrofoam and plastic.

3. Be pragmatic with your expiration dates! If something is

about to expire, consume it first before things will a longer

shelf-life.

Eco Reps is a student organization devoted to educating students about ways to “go green.” They put on

residence hall programs, help the Office of Sustainability with RecycleMania and Energy Challenge, and

participate in various Earth Month events.

To Learn More, Contact: Liz Emley - President ee244409@ohio.edu

4. Compost and recycle whenever possible.

These are basic habits that can really help reduce

the amount of waste that reaches the landfill.

5. Utilize your own reusable items: Reusable

shopping bags are trendy, hold a more groceries,

and reduce the amount of plastic bags you need

when clothes or grocery shopping. Take a

reusable coffee mug to the local coffee shop with

you to save single-use cups and also to save

money.

6. Donate any unwanted items before you move out this spring. Instead of throwing away

perfectly good furniture you don't need anymore or don't want to take with you, donate it to

someone from the local community who may need it.

7. Before throwing away items you don't want, ask your friends if they want it first. Even

things as simple as a shower caddy or a book you didn't like; one person's trash is another's

treasure!

Employees at the Office of Sustainability demonstrate how

to reduce waste; Megan (above) utilizes a re-usable coffee

mug and Katie (top right) recycles her beverage containers.

9

Local Attractions Megan Graver

Day Trips in the Athens Community

It seems that spring has finally sprung here in Athens.

Walking around campus on the first warm day of the year

is always a delight. Students seem to have awakened

from their winter hibernation. Runners, walkers, bikers,

and groups of students toting Frisbees, footballs and

baseballs are all common appearances on campus with

everyone anxious to be out in the sunshine. For students

and Athens locals alike who are searching for new ways

to get outside and enjoy nature, there are plenty of op-

tions that are no more than a few minutes away. For

those who have yet to experience the Hockhocking Ade-

na Bikeway that sweeps along the edge of campus and

along the Hocking River, there are miles of trails to be

explored. Here is what Jennifer Jarvis, a first year student

at Ohio University, had to say about it:

"As an amateur runner I usually wait until darkness falls

to hit the streets of Athens. Asthma doesn't make for an

appealing jogging partner so I prefer not to mingle with

the heavy foot traffic of bustling campus life. The Athens

bike trail is a scenic escape that can be easily overlooked

by seasonal residents. The 19

mile trail spans from Athens to

Nelsonville twisting alongside

the Hocking River. For those

who aren't attracted to the down

and dirty implications of hiking,

the smoothly paved path is a hap-

py medium for nature lovers and

urban weeds alike. Asphalt also

makes the path accessible to

walkers, runners, bikers, and

rollerbladers. The trail wraps

campus so that an individual can

go for as long or as a little as they like. Unsure? Why not

test the waters? The Athens bike trail is just one of many

of the area’s best kept secrets. Don't leave it un-

tapped. Get in touch with your greener side. Explore."

-Jennifer Jarvis

For those veterans of the bike path who are looking for a

new outdoor hobby or an innovative twist to their favor-

ite Athens spots, consider geocaching. Geocaching

(pronounced ‘geo-cashing’) is essentially a worldwide

treasure hunt that is based on coordinates from a GPS.

With over 4 million participants, the ever-changing and

expanding hobby is catch-

ing on in many cities

around the US. Here in

Athens, there are an abun-

dance of ‘caches’ waiting

to be found.

Caches refer to containers

of various sizes and forms that individuals hide at a cer-

tain coordinate. The coordinates are posted online for

others to find. Inside the geocache is a logbook to record

your find and oftentimes various trinkets left behind by

the owner of the cache or other visitors. When you find a

cache, you are al-

lowed to take an

item as long as you

leave something in

return.

To find a geocache

location, all you

need to do is log

The Groundspeak Geocaching

Logo is a registered trademark

of Groundspeak, Inc. Used with

permission.

10

onto www.geocaching.com and create a free account.

Geocaches are hidden all over the place; some are in

very busy, urban locations that require stealth to avoid

detection while locating the geocache and others are

out along local hiking trails or the bike path.

For my first geo-

cache adventure, I

chose a set of coordi-

nates that took me to

The Ridges hiking

trails. After a leisure-

ly 25 minute hike, I

found myself close to

the location of the

geocache. Once at

the coordinates, it

takes a bit of investi-

gating to find the

geocache, as the co-

ordinates don’t give

away the exact loca-

tion of the item and

is often hidden from

plain sight. After about 10 minutes of searching, I

found the geocache and recorded my find. When I got

back from my quest, I documented the find on the geo-

caching website.

Geocaching is a unique and family-friendly activity

that promotes personal sustainability through exercise

(be it hiking, biking or walking to the geocache) and

also motivates individuals to explore the natural beauty

of our outdoor resources. My trip took me to a pleas-

ant hiking trail that, prior to geocaching, I had not

known was just minutes from my apartment. Since

then, I have frequented the trail and it is now one of

my favorite hiking routes.

An important part of geo-

caching is CITO; Cache In

Trash Out. This environ-

mental initiative was started

in 2002 and continues annu-

ally one weekend a year at

local geocaching sites.

Tasks completed by volun-

teers include litter clean-up, removal of invasive spe-

cies, revegetation efforts and building trails, accord-

ing to the geocaching website. CITO doesn’t just hap-

pen once a year, however. Geocachers are encour-

aged to bring a trash bag with them and pick up litter

that they see on the way to their geocache

As an almost inexhaustibly entertaining hobby, geo-

caching will take you to places in the community that

are familiar and, most likely, some places that you

have yet to experience. Once skill is acquired, geo-

cachers can hide and monitor their own caches at

their favorite places around the community. With the

weather

warming up,

now is the

perfect time

to try out a

new hobby

and explore

the commu-

nity.

“Geocaching is beneficial for many reasons, one being

its low initial startup cost. In my recent work for the city

of Buckley, Washington, citizens expressed the desire

for geocaching in an abandoned teaching farm site.

They feel that it will draw visitors from neighboring

communities through the city center, creating the oppor-

tunity for economic activity in establishments such as

bars, restaurants, and coffee shops while they are in

town. It seems to be a good option for municipalities that do not have much

money to invest in recreation opportunities. In addition to the low initial invest-

ment, geocaching does not require the installation of permanent structures. There-

fore, if the site is better suited for a different use in the future, required changes to

the site are less intensive.”

-Kelly Adams, Urban Planning Graduate Student at University of Washington

Local Economics Perspective on Geocaching

11

The Office of Sustainability offers Ohio University

students an opportunity to grow their own food.

The Ecohouse community garden is an area desig-

nated for students to engage in organic gardening

practices.

Located on Dairy Lane, the OHIO Ecohouse is

university owned, off-campus housing available to

three students every academic year. A permacul-

ture garden, designed by students in the spring of

2012, is located near the front of the house. Resi-

dents can live off the

land with a variety of

herbs incorporated

into the landscape

design. The commu-

nity gardening area is

a fenced-in property

containing eleven

student-built raised

beds.

The Ecohouse

community garden

allows participants an

opportunity to get

outside and active

this summer, eat lo-

cally grown healthy

foods and lend a

helping hand in ensuring food security for the com-

munity.

Healthy Land, Healthy Life The community garden applies organic gardening

methods. Synthetic fertilizers and chemical herbi-

cides and pesticides are strictly prohibited. Univer-

sity-generated compost amendment and woodchips

are located on-site.

While organic gardening is often considered to be

labor intensive, the Ecohouse allots small raised

beds for individuals to care for. Weed control is

easily carried out on this low scale.

No experience gardening? No problem! Students

from all disciplines, backgrounds and experience

levels are invited to learn a new set of skills with

us!

Community

Adopt a plot with friends, roommates, student or-

ganizations, sororities, fraternities or on your own!

Grow food to host your own local, organic meal or

donate your harvest to someone in need.

Food Security

Food security is a growing concern on a global

scale. Solving global problems is no easy task.

Many reflect on the common motto ‘think global,

act local’ when faced with such large-scale chal-

lenges.

Ecohouse Community Garden Markie Miller

12

With permission of the plot owners, the Office of

Sustainability will collect extra food grown in the

community garden for a local food bank in Nelson-

ville, Ohio.

For more infor-

mation on local

initiatives to-

wards food

security, check

out Community

Food Initiatives

(CFI). This

Athens-based

non-profit

works to pro-

mote whole

foods, healthy

eating, food se-

curity and eat-

ing local.

The mission of the OHIO Ecohouse is to demon-

strate affordable green technology and sustainable

living in order to inform, engage and inspire both

residents and visitors. The OHIO Ecohouse is not

just a place – it is a dynamic education experience

which promotes critical thinking and tangible ac-

tions toward sustainability.

Get Involved!

‘The Garden Shed’ is a blog updated by

Markie Miller, graduate assistant at the

Office of Sustainability. Read about a va-

riety of gardening issues, as well as our

ongoing quest for sustainability. Stu-

dents, instructors and community mem-

bers in Athens can find an array of infor-

mation on natural and sustainable gar-

dening, area events, and environmental

values being discussed today. The blog

can be found at http://

ecohousegarden.blogspot.com/

Volunteer at the Ecohouse garden with

Markie Miller, Ecohouse Garden Manag-

er. Find out ways you can help:

mm633111@ohio.edu

Grow your own food! To apply for an

Ecohouse Community Garden plot:

submit your information on our website:

Garden Plot Request Form. For more in-

formation contact us at

sustainability@ohio.edu! The OU Eco-

house Community Garden has raised

beds available to students, faculty, de-

partments or student organizations. Learn

about food security, organic gardening

and going local in Athens! Get healthy,

get involved and get gardening!

13

International Perspectives Alex Slaymaker

Is ‘Peace’ Coming to OU?

Todd Walters is a man with vision, passion, and

intelligence. He traveled to Ohio University in

February of 2013 with a clear vision; to give OHIO

students a unique and exciting opportunity to help

change the world. Walters founded International

Peace Park Expeditions (IPPE) in 2010 with another

dream; to help craft transboundary conservation areas

with collaborative and effective management in

historically conflict-prone areas to help build peace.

Rather than ineffectively attempting to confine peace

building and environmental efforts within political

boundaries (mere lines on a map), Transboundary

Parks reflect the fluidity of ecology, fauna, and

culture. As communities across borders, cultures, and

ideologies come together to manage their connected

natural resources, new opportunities become possible

for even greater peace and collaboration.

Hundreds of protected areas transcending country

boundaries have been created, and there are currently

many more projects in developmental stages

worldwide. IPPE works with the Balkans protected

area which includes Albania, Montenegro, and

Kosovo, an area high in biodiversity and previously

uprooted by Soviet rule. Creative solutions for

environmental and cultural conservation are crafted

through collaborative discussions and community

inclusion from all three countries. These massive,

complex projects require the dedication of many

volunteers and research fellows working together

towards the goal of increased global peace and

environmental conservation.

Walters created the experiential study abroad

program with the goal of expanding IPPE services to

offer more than analytical research skills to students

interested in these issues. The University of Maryland

already partners with IPPE and offers a very

successful study abroad program in the Panama/

Costa Rica Park. University of Maryland students are

exposed to the fair trade system, gaining knowledge

about responsible economic growth through

sustainable agriculture. Cross cultural activities,

entertainment, and community improvement projects

create opportunities for rewarding interactions

between students and the local people. As students

hike some of the tallest mountains, Cirripo and

Volcan Baru, they appreciate the brilliance of eco-

tourism and learn about environmental conservation.

Walters’ passion pushed him to pursue the inclusion

of even more students on these experiential voyages.

Ohio University joined forces as an institutional

alliance after the arrival of Dr. Geoff Dabelko in Fall

2012. Dr. Dabelko worked in Washington D.C. for

decades researching the connections between the

environment, population, and health with a focus on

the links between climate change and national

security. He now holds a position on the IPPE board,

teaches an undergraduate course on Climate Change,

works closely with the Voinovich School, and directs

OU’s Environmental Studies Master’s Program. Dr.

Dabelko’s experience in the field provided him the

insight to realize the great potential and importance of

an IPPE study abroad program at OHIO. He

facilitated Todd Walters’ arrival and coordinated a

series of meetings with administrators and professors

to determine the level of interest on campus and

program implementation feasibility.

During Walters’ short trip he spoke to multiple

classes about Peace Parks and presented an intriguing

lecture highlighting some of IPPE’s efforts. If

Walters successfully establishes a study abroad

program at Ohio University, students will have the

unique opportunity to earn college credit by traveling

to these Peace Parks and gaining field-based

experiential knowledge and ‘real world’ experience.

Students will enter this emerging and evolving field

of study which uses environmental assets as a tool for

building peace and adapting to, and mitigating,

climate change. OU’s program would accept students

from all majors due to the multi-disciplinary nature of

this work and global importance. There is currently

no study abroad program available at OHIO which

offers such a wide variety of educational

opportunities, hands-on learning, and outdoor

recreational activities.

14

While on a study abroad trip through IPPE, students

learn about the park creation process, interact with

community members impacted by the Park, work

with locals to develop sustainable infrastructure, and

become immersed in other cultures. IPPE only

considers assisting park development if the

communities involved volunteer to participate in the

process. IPPE’s bottom-up, inclusive and voluntary

approach helps dispute resolution processes because

all the parties involved are willing to cooperate for

mutual joint gains. Prior to serious involvement, IPPE

analyzes the situation through intensive research and

personal interviews with impacted individuals.

Researchers organize information gathered in a series

of conflict matrices to best identify conflict drivers

(actions perpetuating conflict), mitigating factors

(actors mobilizing resilience), and other important

aspects of the dispute. If interested in applying for a

fellowship with the organization, and to learn more

about IPPE’s efforts in the Balkans, Panama/ Costa

Rica, Waterton-Glacier and more visit their website:

http://peaceparkexpeditions.org/.

Where Are They Now? Jaymie Tighe

OU graduates and former Office of Sustainability staff members share their stories and tips for success.

Jessica Bilecki

Former Office of Sustainability Graduate Assistant

Current Position: Education and Outreach Coordinator – Elon University Office of Sustainability

Did you consider sustainability while job searching?

“Working in the Office of Sustainability helped me more effectively articulate my definition of sus-

tainability. In terms of professional development the opportunity was essential, as any job working

in sustainability in higher education requires years of experience. Sustainability has been and always

will be my guiding framework.”

How did the Office of Sustainability prepare you for your current position?

“The Office of Sustainability gave me experience in institutional sustainability, particularly the com-

munications component of it. Through regular interaction with all Office of Sustainability staff I was

able to formulate a better idea of what offices of sustainability actually do. This supported my pro-

fessional development through encouraging a professional online presence, various staff training sessions and always

being open to discuss future job prospects.”

Michelle Schechter

Former Office of Sustainability Presentations Intern

Current Position: Business Development Assistant at Vorys

How did the Office of Sustainability help you prepare for your future?

“The Office of Sustainability introduced to me to many great people who wanted to help me and see me succeed. My

internship offered me more than just the job description and I got to become involved in things just because I wanted

too. My position educated me on deadlines, time management, working with a team and planning events. I got more ex-

perience and education than I expected and am very thankful for it.”

What are some of your favorite memories of working in the Office of Sustainability at Ohio University?

“Some of my favorite memories about working with Office of Sustainability were the events I got to be apart of. I got to

help with lectures from speakers about ‘fracking’ and spread the news about Earth Month. I loved helping people get

involved with their community and become more interested in sustainability. I also got to do more than I expected I

would during my internship, which made the experience more enjoyable and educational.”

15

Opportunities Megan Graver & Jaymie Tighe

"Trashed" movie screening, April 25 (hosted by College Green Magazine):

April 25, 7pm, Athena Cinema This event is FREE and open to the public! Free refreshments will also be provided during the screening.

Following the screening, there will be an interactive discussion panel concerning local waste issues featuring:

- Roger Bail, Operations Coordinator for the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District

- Kyle O'Keefe, head of Rural Action's Zero-Waste Initiative

- Andrew Ladd, Ohio University's Recycling and Refuse Manager

- Dr. Geoff Buckley, a Professor in the Department of Geography

- Dr. Michele Morrone, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Science

Check out the event page on Facebook for more information.

Energy Efficiency for the Home, April 30

April 30th, 12pm-1pm Baker 240

Bring your lunch and join us for an educational session outlining cost effective home

upgrades and simple habit changes that can help lower utility bills. Participants will

also learn about OHIO’s current energy efficiency projects. This session will be facil-

itated by Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) and OHIO’s Ex-

ecutive Director of Facilities Management. Office of Sustainability will feature a vid-

eo explaining home energy audits and affordable efficiency tips. This event is free for

all OHIO employees & students. Please RSVP by emailing sustainabil-

ity@ohio.edu. All interested participants will be entered into a raffle for a free

home energy audit ($500 value).

This event is sponsored by Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee,

Office of Sustainability and Human Resources.

Are You A Graduating Senior? Take Our Sustainability Literacy Survey Benchmark 8 of the OU Sustainability Plan is to “improve sustainability literacy of students, faculty, and staff”,

with a target of a “5% increase in literacy among students, faculty and staff per year” (and a baseline by June

2012). For students, I believe the first baseline data was collected last year. This year, we will be sending out

a five – question survey, to assess the current levels of sustainability literacy among students. Click Here to

take the survey now.

16

Are you a COMS student? Good Works, Inc., a local organization that provides services for people struggling with issues of poverty

and homelessness, is seeking interns for fall and spring semester to assist with event planning and promotion

for their annual Good Works Walk event. Interns will work approximately 10 hours/week (unpaid) on

promoting the Walk on the campus of Ohio University, in local schools with local businesses, and/or in and

around Athens County. Strong public communication skills and the ability to self-motivate are required. If

you meet the prerequisites, you will also be able to receive credit for this internship through either COMS

4910 or COMS 4911/4912/4913.

To apply: Applicants should first look over the Good Works Walk website at www.goodworkswalk.net to

learn more about this unique event. Applicants should then send a resume and request to fill out a Good

Works volunteer application to Emily Axe at goodworks@good-works.net. Please put Walk Internship

Project in the subject line of the email. If you need more information or have questions on how to apply

for this internship you may also call Emily at 740-594-3339. Applications should be sent in as soon as

possible but by May 2013 at the latest.

Interested in contributing to Routes? We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to

help write, design and photograph for the next publication of Routes. Tap into your

creative abilities and get involved with the Office of Sustainability by contacting editors

Megan Graver at mg378107@ohio.edu .

If your area of interest lies elsewhere, there are a variety of different volunteer and in-

ternship positions available to students. Develop valuable skills for your future ca-

reer and help the Office of Sustainability achieve its mission. To learn more, email sus-

tainability@ohio.edu with a description of your area(s) of interest.

17

Expressions Spotlight on Zero Waste

Every issue of Routes features the creative work of an artist whose work expresses some

form of sustainability. This issue features the work of Ohio University Campus Recycling

student employees Cayle Adams, Sarah Maj and Jimmy Webster.

On March 25th, a temporary sculpture was created from #1 and #2 bottles that were

recycled on campus. The purpose of the sculpture was to illustrate that “It All Adds Up”.

In the first four weeks of RecycleMania, which is a friendly competition between college

and university recycling programs, Ohio University recycled thousands of plastic bottles.

If you are a student, faculty or staff member and are interested in having your work featured, send a

biography, and jpgs or word documents featuring your work to sustainability@ohio.edu

18

19

During Week Two of spring semester, the Of-

fice of Sustainability sponsored, through a

Sustainability Mini Grant, a “Food Waste Re-

duction Week” in an effort to raise student

awareness about post-consumer food waste.

The project also assisted in collecting survey

data for the Office of Recycling and Refuse.

The project involved multiple components:

designing tri-folds and a poster to place in the

dining hall; making a poster board to set up in

the dining hall; creating a survey to collect

data from students; obtaining a scale to weigh

post-consumer waste; and, recruiting volun-

teers from the Office of Sustainability and

EcoReps to collect the surveys. Each student

that completed a survey was entered into a

drawing to win one of two $25 gift cards to

Baker Center.

A total of 301 surveys were completed. The

survey data shows that OHIO students appear

to be mostly committed to sustainable behav-

iors, especially when convenient. A high per-

centage (86%) of students “strongly agree” or

“agree” that they recycle when it is made con-

venient, but only 52% say they recycle when

they have to go out of their way to do so. A

solution to this could be to include a recycling

and compost bin next to every trash can, as is

becoming common practice at many universi-

ties working to reduce their solid waste. An-

other potential option is to significantly re-

duce the number of public trash cans and re-

place them with recycling and compost bins.

At .23 pounds per diner over the three-day pe-

riod, the per-capita post

-consumer food waste

generated during the

surveying period was

close to the .22 pound

per person per meal av-

erage generated by

Americans.

Through research and

basic observation, sur-

vey conductors suggested that the university

may benefit from another trayless dining pilot

program. Office of Sustainability and Culi-

nary Services conducted such a pilot program

a number of years ago and results suggested

that the dining facilities and diners may not

benefit from trayless dining at the time.

Though, facilities have changed significantly

and the general dining population has turned-

over since that program. Volunteers assisting

with the project observed that diners tend to

select food from multiple stations before they

sit down to enjoy a meal. Often times, these

diners do not eat all of the food they selected.

Removing the tray would encourage the din-

ers to only take what they can carry, which

would likely deter wasted food.

Overall, the survey results were encouraging.

It is the hope of the Office of Sustainability

and participating volunteers that this program

will contribute to a future decrease in post-

consumer food waste at Ohio University. Stu-

dents interested in assisting in such efforts are

encouraged to email us at sustainabil-

ity@ohio.edu.

Food Waste Reduction Week Austin Stahl

20

Questions asked

1. Minimizing food waste is important to me when making a decision about how much

food to take

2. I personally recycle when it is made convenient

3. I personally recycle even when I have to go out of my way to do so

4. I believe the recycling program in the residence halls is effective

5. Some U.S. colleges no longer sell bottled water in an effort to reduce waste. What level

of support do you believe the student body would have toward reducing bottled water

availability on campus?

Answers received

1. Strongly agree: 114 Agree: 142 Neutral: 33 Disagree: 10 Strongly Disagree: 2

2. Strongly agree: 167 Agree: 92 Neutral: 23 Disagree: 13 Strongly Disagree: 6

3. Strongly agree: 69 Agree: 89 Neutral: 78 Disagree: 50 Strongly Disagree: 15

4. Strongly agree: 64 Agree: 104 Neutral: 64 Disagree: 54 Strongly Disagree: 14

5. Very High Support: 55 High Support: 100 Neutral: 74 Low Support: 52 Very Low

Support: 19

Total: 301 surveys

Note: Questions 5 was left blank on one survey, Question 4 was left blank on another

Food waste-Nelson Dining Hall

Tuesday

1270 diners

346 pounds of food waste (.272 pounds per person)

Wednesday

1221 diners

234 pounds of food waste (.192 pounds per person)

Thursday

1419 diners

306 pounds of food waste (.216 pounds per person)

Survey Data

21

Personal Sustainability Markie Miller

As a graduate student there is always a looming sense

of chaos in trying to choose a thesis topic and put to-

gether a committee. Starting my second graduate se-

mester I was still waiting for that aha moment; when

it would all start to make sense. After many nights of

seeking out my academic niche, I started to pay atten-

tion to what piqued my interest the most. I knew I

wanted to relate my research to topics surrounding an

urban environment and native plants.

As quickly as I had decided on my topic, I found my-

self packing for an unexpected road trip to Baltimore,

Maryland- my future study site- the week following

spring break. Everything was suddenly coming to-

gether, but as exciting as beginning my thesis re-

search was, classes and work continued on without

me. It was difficult at times to not dwell on what I

was missing. But it allowed me to appreciate and rec-

ognize an important moment in my academic career:

this was the start of my transition from college stu-

dent to graduate student.

I have been a graduate student for a full semester

now, but only recently began to feel like one. Since

being an undergraduate student I noticed a difference

in assignments, in the amount of material we covered

and the overall classroom dynamics of grad school,

but what had really prepared me for these big

changes? Taking this trip to Baltimore helped me

jumpstart my research and my mindset. Little by lit-

tle, things are changing for me: my time management

has been revamped, and my priorities rearranged. I

felt like I had found a topic I could happily dive into

and expand my knowledge on.

Finding something you’re passionate about is very

important in maintaining personal sustainability. I

have so often experienced that burned out feeling that

zaps your energy, motivation and often the ability to

properly take care of oneself. Whenever I’m feeling

bogged down by the pressure of life and Academia, I

try to do something good for myself and find ways to

remind myself about what sparks my passion to learn.

The Office of Sustainability

challenges students, faculty

and staff alike to find their

passions and to always take

some time for reflection

and appreciation.

Markie Miller is a Masters student in

the Environmental Studies Program

who currently works at the Office of

Sustainability.

22

This summer, make use of your right brained creative side

and reuse things around the house to make something new

for yourself, or somebody else. DIY projects are much

more unique, and infinitely less expensive, than purchasing

new! When reusing otherwise unadorned objects that can

even be found at home (or dormitory) for projects you are

not only doing good for the environment, you impress your

friends with your ingenuity. Artistic pursuits are great de-

stressors and healthy leisure activities that can be done in-

dependently or in a group. As opposed to making purchas-

es on staples that stretch the already slim student budget,

get crafty. Here are just a few ideas to start out with:

Have an old baking sheet lying around the house? Reuse it

to create a magnet board! Use contact paper or any other

decorative covering you have on hand and use it to cover

the baking surface. Then,

simply add magnets and

hang it on the wall! A mag-

net board can do more than

hold notes; attach magnets to

various makeup containers.

A makeup wall unit saves

space and is infinitely handy.

No more searching for mas-

cara, say goodbye to explod-

ing eye shadow pallets. Eve-

rything is in one place.

How about a way to reuse

empty beverage bottles?

Bottles can be employed for a

number of non-traditional uses.

Peel off the sticky label and get

ready to recycle without the blue

bin.

Disguise the surface and make an economically friendly

vase to spruce up your living space using hemp string or

paint.

Caps can be magnetized as is or pasted with a personal-

ized image for some custom décor without the special

order.

You’ve got the makeup covered, but how about the jew-

elry? Keep bracelets detangled and visible as a bottle is

the perfect temporary placement for your go-to arm ac-

cessories. Have it stand alone, or for a more sophisticat-

ed look, attach a small base so that it can be transported

without your items falling to the floor. If you don’t have

room on the desk, mount it on the wall of choice.

As for necklaces, scrap wood and old knobs can make a

chic and functional jewelry rack or place to hang your keys

so you won't lose, or have to replace, your favorite acces-

sories.

Athens is known for the luscious green of its rural campus,

so let’s keep it that way and use our school color to inspire

sustainable attitudes and subsequent actions. A small step

for you is a big one for the environment. Reuse those wa-

ter bottles! Go from plastic to permanent in terms of dishes

and silverware! You’re decreasing waste by making small

but con-

scious de-

cisions.

Not only is

it econom-

ically effi-

cient it’s

also eco-

friendly. It

just makes

‘cents’.

Do-It-Yourself Jennifer Jarvis

Use old picture frames and

decorative paper to create

a dry-erase marker calen-

dar (above) or earring

storage space (right).

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

23

348,413

With the semester drawing to a close, Ohio University

students are preparing to take their final exams and head

home for the summer. During all of this mayhem, a

question that might not cross a student’s mind is what to

do with his or her furniture when it comes time to move

out. OHIO students have the opportunity to give back to

their community by offering their used furniture and other

quality reusable items that they don’t need anymore to

others in the surrounding areas.

Through the combined efforts of several local

organizations working with Ohio University and the City

of Athens, it is convenient during finals week for students

to donate their items to benefit local families in need and

save these items from ending up in a landfill. For students

with items to donate who are looking to reduce OU’s

waste during finals week, here is a rundown of both on-

campus and off-campus systems for donating items this

finals week.

Move Out Megan Graver

Off-campus

There are separate neighborhood collection points

indicated for used items. Starts May 1st: 10 AM-

evenings.

High & W. State Streets (across from the Middle

School)

N. Court & State Sts. NEXT to big dumpster

N. Congress & Washington Streets

Mill St. in-between Coss and Mill St.

Near the end of Mill and McKinley Drive

Train Depot, Union St.

Next to Dirty Deeds Laundromat

Other locations to be announced

What sort of materials are accepted

at these drop off locations?

On-campus

A site to drop off

items for donation is

located at each resi-

dence hall. The site

will be located near the dumpster and perma-

nent recycling location for that building.

New South buildings will have their sites locat-

ed inside.

Scott Quad’s site is located on the East Wall

inside the courtyard.

Food donation will be located in residence hall

lobbies, ground floor of New South buildings, and

2nd floor stairwells

of Scott Quad.

Number of pounds of food

and goods collected by 7

organizations during the 3.5

weeks surrounding move

out in 2012

Appliances Aquariums / Terrariums Banners Bed Frames / Lofts Books/CDs Clean Mattress / Pads Computers Coolers Curtains/Linens/Clean Clothing Cosmetics and Toiletries Dishes / Silverware Electric Components Folders, Notebooks/ Binders Hangers / Organizers Luggage / Backpacks Intact Furniture Magazines Pens / Pencils Posters / Pictures or Frames School, Office, or Art Supplies Science Equipment Shelving Toner Cartridges / Ink Jets Sports Equipment, Dart boards Unopened Food Unused Detergent & Soap Wood & Building Supplies

100,000

24

Off-campus Pick-Ups

If you have items that are very large or don’t have time to

drop off your items, there are several organizations that will

pick up your donations from May 1st-5th

New To You – 740-592-1842

Good Will – 740-592-4105

Re-Use – Make move out matter – 740-594-5103

Nelsonville Community Center – 740-331-2526

Athens County Fair Board – 740-591-1816

Golden Gaits 4-H Club – 740-541-0457

Athens County Food Pantry– 740-590-7051

Friends and Neighbors – 740-667-0684

Friends of Animals Thrift Store – 740-856-2800

Habitat for Humanity, Restore – 740-589-5865

Community Food Initiatives – 740-593-5971

1,220

Number of people in

need from the Athens

area that got food or

goods from Ohio

University students

$6,090

Amount of money that Ohio

University saved in 2012 by not

disposing of reusable/

recyclable items as trash

during move out.

Make Move Out Matter

ReUse Industries has teamed up with a variety of

Athens-area non-profit organizations to turn student do-

nations into benefits for the Athens community. When

students donate items to ReUse, they can designate a par-

ticipating organization to receive a portion of the revenue

collected by selling their donated items. Check out their

website for participating organizations and what items

are accepted.

Call to schedule a free pick-up 740-594-5103

When returning to campus in the fall, check out the

ReUse Industries thrift store and other area thrift stores

when furnishing your house. These second-hand stores

are full of unique items at student-friendly prices!

April 22

Both the celebration of

Earth Day and the day that collection of

items begins on and off campus

this year. Get ready to donate!

Click on the picture

to the left for a video

with more infor-

mation on Campus

Recycling efforts to

keep recyclable or

reusable items out of

the trash!

ReUse Industries as well as Campus Recycling,

Athens County Fair Board and Golden Gaits 4-

H Club are currently accepting volunteers and

students doing community service.

25

“I Want To Change The World...

But I Don’t Know How.”

Join the Ohio University Office of Sustainability!

Visit Our Website

Will you be my SOULmate?

Sustainable Ohio University Leaders

SOUL

Benefits of Participation: Improve skills in leadership, communication, networking, and policy development

Potential for regional and national marketing of efforts

Gain professional development experience in sustainability and how it applies to

a variety of disciplines

Contribute to leading efforts in furthering sustainability at Ohio University

Do you have a passion for preserving the envi-

ronment? Want to make a positive impact in

your campus, community, and world? Here’s

your chance to make a difference:

Sustainable OU Leaders is a new group on cam-

pus comprised of faculty, staff, and students who

are working to implement the university’s Sus-

tainability Plan and Climate Action Plan. We are

looking for passionate individuals to help us take

action and spread sustainability.

All-Member SOUL Meeting

April 24 @3:30-5pm

Bingham House (Log Cabin off Richland Ave)

26

“I Want To Change The World...

But I Don’t Know How.”

Join the Ohio University Office of Sustainability!

Visit Our Website