Committees

Outreach

Green Cup Firesides

ECO pioneered the Green Cup fireside chats that are now a joint effort among all three student environmental groups. These firesides are given before and during the Green Cup dorm competition. Presenters learn with students in their own dorms about how students can win the Green Cup by engaging in more environmentally sustainable practices that use less electricity and water.

Such eco-initiatives are not only interesting, but also very important, because during the competition students, firstly, get closer, and secondly, there is a nascent eco-consciousness. Later, it grows not only into curiosity, but also into following a certain ideology. On this occasion, you can write a research paper, and the best writing service can help.

"This is Green" Campaign

The "This is GREEN" initiative is a sticker campaign to promote awareness of environmentally smart consumer and lifestyle choices! The term "green" is used to describe actions and items which are environmentally conscious and safe—"greener" items are a step towards a healthier earth! Read more about how this is an important step for our society in Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Practices: Uniting for a Greener World

It's simple—you just take the "This is GREEN" sticker and place it on something you own that could be considered "green." Examples include a water bottle that you reuse, a lamp that uses low-wattage bulbs, the laptop that you keep on energy-save, or the bag that you carry with you when you go grocery shopping!

ECO is committed to spreading understanding and action about "greening" throughout Northwestern. Your participation in the "This is GREEN" initiative is a really exciting way to spread the word on "green" choices, acknowledge your own "green" actions, and explore new ways to be "green"!

Food Action and Waste Reduction

Wild Roots Garden at Norris

Wild Roots is a living, student-directed project intended to serve the evolving educational and social needs of the Northwestern community. Products grown shall be directed back into the local food supply, and caretakers will maintain the utmost commitment to sustainable practices.

Mount Trashmore on Earth Day

ECO is a member of Northwestern's Sustainability Working Group (SWaG), which every year organizes an Earth Day event known as Mt. Trashmore. ECO partners with the Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) and Students for Ecological and Environmental Development (SEED) to build and publicize a large pile of trash by Sheridan Road that represents the amount of trash generated in 6 hours on campus.

Ink Cartridge Recycling
ECO has partnered with Cartridge World to recycle printer cartridges, toner cartridges, and batteries. While ECO receives compensation for some of the cartridges, most of what ECO and Cartridge World collect, including all batteries, is recycled at no profit, simply to prevent a polluted and unnecessarily large waste stream. The money ECO receives from ink cartridges is used to fund the Bright Ideas Grant, a $100-400 grant given to student groups on campus who think green when planning student events.

Hillel Sustainability

Greening Hillel

ECO believes that promoting a sustainable world begins with changing one's own practices. That is why we are constantly adjusting the Hillel building at 629 Foster St. While the building is already fitted with fluorescent lightbulbs, we are currently implementing a building-wide timed lighting system to turn off all lights when the building is empty, including nights during Shabbat and holidays. Another important change was the implementation of reusable vinyl tablecloths, which replaced disposable plastic tablecloths which were thrown out after each use. The new tablecloths are beautiful and easy to clean. ECO has also purchased plants to beautify the dining room, as well as offsetting some carbon generated in the building.

Jewish Environmental Education

"Tu B'Shabbat" at Hillel

Each year, ECO holds a fun evening for Northwestern students in honor of Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish arbor day. This is one of the highest-attended events held in the Hillel building. The evening includes environmentally-themed divrei Torah during Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox services, a short talk at dinner, and a speaker after dinner. The meal itself is vegetarian, using fewer resources to produce, and is served with reusable plates, silverware, and cups.

Finance

Bright Ideas Grant

The Bright Ideas Grant (BIG) is a grant of $100-400 given out to student organizations that are willing to to think green when planning their group events and projects. The grant is ECO's way of helping student groups make their productions more environmentally friendly. Grants are rewarded based on demonstrated green impact, feasibility, and availability of funding. BIG is funded through our cartridge recycling program. If you'd like to apply for BIG or find out more information, please click here.


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Outreach Green Cup Firesides ECO pioneered the Green Cup fireside chats that are now a joint effort among all three student environmental groups. These firesides are given before and during the Green Cup dorm competition. Presenters learn with students in their own dorms about how students can win the Green Cup by engaging in more environmentally sustainable practices that use less electricity and water. Such eco-initiatives are not only interesting, but also very important, because during the competition students, firstly, get closer, and secondly, there is a nascent eco-consciousness. Later, it grows not only into curiosity, but also into following a certain ideology. On this occasion, you can write a research paper, and the best writing service can help. "This is Green" Campaign The "This is GREEN" initiative is a sticker campaign to promote awareness of environmentally smart consumer and lifestyle choices! The term "green" is used to describe actions and items which are environmentally conscious and safe—"greener" items are a step towards a healthier earth! Read more about how this is an important step for our society in Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Practices: Uniting for a Greener World It's simple—you just take the "This is GREEN" sticker and place it on something you own that could be considered "green." Examples include a water bottle that you reuse, a lamp that uses low-wattage bulbs, the laptop that you keep on energy-save, or the bag that you carry with you when you go grocery shopping! ECO is committed to spreading understanding and action about "greening" throughout Northwestern. Your participation in the "This is GREEN" initiative is a really exciting way to spread the word on "green" choices, acknowledge your own "green" actions, and explore new ways to be "green"! Food Action and Waste Reduction Wild Roots Garden at Norris Wild Roots is a living, student-directed project intended to serve the evolving educational and social needs of the Northwestern community. Products grown shall be directed back into the local food supply, and caretakers will maintain the utmost commitment to sustainable practices. Mount Trashmore on Earth Day ECO is a member of Northwestern's Sustainability Working Group (SWaG), which every year organizes an Earth Day event known as Mt. Trashmore. ECO partners with the Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) and Students for Ecological and Environmental Development (SEED) to build and publicize a large pile of trash by Sheridan Road that represents the amount of trash generated in 6 hours on campus. Ink Cartridge Recycling ECO has partnered with Cartridge World to recycle printer cartridges, toner cartridges, and batteries. While ECO receives compensation for some of the cartridges, most of what ECO and Cartridge World collect, including all batteries, is recycled at no profit, simply to prevent a polluted and unnecessarily large waste stream. The money ECO receives from ink cartridges is used to fund the Bright Ideas Grant, a $100-400 grant given to student groups on campus who think green when planning student events. Hillel Sustainability Greening Hillel ECO believes that promoting a sustainable world begins with changing one's own practices. That is why we are constantly adjusting the Hillel building at 629 Foster St. While the building is already fitted with fluorescent lightbulbs, we are currently implementing a building-wide timed lighting system to turn off all lights when the building is empty, including nights during Shabbat and holidays. Another important change was the implementation of reusable vinyl tablecloths, which replaced disposable plastic tablecloths which were thrown out after each use. The new tablecloths are beautiful and easy to clean. ECO has also purchased plants to beautify the dining room, as well as offsetting some carbon generated in the building. Jewish Environmental Education "Tu B'Shabbat" at Hillel Each year, ECO holds a fun evening for Northwestern students in honor of Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish arbor day. This is one of the highest-attended events held in the Hillel building. The evening includes environmentally-themed divrei Torah during Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox services, a short talk at dinner, and a speaker after dinner. The meal itself is vegetarian, using fewer resources to produce, and is served with reusable plates, silverware, and cups. Finance Bright Ideas Grant The Bright Ideas Grant (BIG) is a grant of $100-400 given out to student organizations that are willing to to think green when planning their group events and projects. The grant is ECO's way of helping student groups make their productions more environmentally friendly. Grants are rewarded based on demonstrated green impact, feasibility, and availability of funding. BIG is funded through our cartridge recycling program. If you'd like to apply for BIG or find out more information, please click here.