How “green” are Stern students? Last month, the Office of Energy and Sustainability at YU held a competition called YU Unplugged on the Beren and Wilf campuses to raise awareness about sustainability and to determine how successful students can be at conserving energy on campus. Andrea Moore, the Sustainability Manager for YU and Albert Einstein Medical School, concludes from the competition results that “some students are being very energy efficient while others could still do more to reduce their impact.” On the Beren campus there was a wide range of results, from a 26% decrease of energy usage in the 35th St dorm to a 25% usage increase in Schottenstein.
The most important areas of focus in terms of improvement, says Moore, are conservation activities, such as energy and water, and recycling rates. YU Unplugged and Recyclemania (a recycling competition that takes place in the spring semester) are two initiatives that the Office of Energy and Sustainability implements during the year to raise awareness about these issues in particular.
Based on the results of a student sustainability literacy survey given in 2013 and 2014 on both campuses, there has been an increase in questions answered correctly from one year to the next, which means that students are becoming increasingly familiar with sustainability and environmental issues. The mixed results of the YU Unplugged competition, however, show that students are not as easily translating their knowledge into actions. Perhaps more conclusive results can be gleaned from the upcoming Recyclemania competition in the spring.
Spearheading the YU Unplugged and Recyclemania competitions are YU’s Eco Reps, student sustainability representatives on campus, who also work to raise awareness about environmental sustainability by organizing events and presentations throughout the year.
Oren Herschander (’16), an Eco Representative Teaching Assistant, says that one of the impediments to improving our sustainability on campus is “the amount of misinformation floating around about what can or cannot be recycled in New York City.”
Most people are unaware that all rigid plastic is recyclable, which includes most of the containers and utensils students use in campus cafeterias, in addition to bottles and cans. These materials do not even need to be cleaned before being placed in the recycle bin.
Though it might be helpful to students if there were more recycling bins on campus, according to Herschander, “the big problem facing YU is effort and awareness.”
In addition to the Eco Reps, there is a student-led Environmental Society on campus, headed by Jennifer Wiseman (’15). Outlining the positive and negative recycling habits on campus, especially in the cafeteria, Wiseman notes that the cafeteria has eco-friendly materials like the clamshell boxes for side dishes, as well as the bottle shaped recycling bins, which, she says, are great “because they serve as a reminder to recycle soda and water bottles.”
However, Wiseman adds that the shape of the bin prevents the recycling of other rigid plastic items such as yogurt containers.
Written on the bin itself are the words “bottles and cans only,” but in reality, salad and meal containers, glass bottles, and even metal items like wire hangers can be recycled in those bins. However, as Herschander points out, that would require a student to put in the effort to unscrew the lid of the bin, which is another deterrent from recycling.
In terms of awareness, Wiseman says that many students tend to use some recycling bins in the cafeteria as trash cans, and do not realize that putting trash in a recycle bin contaminates the recycling process. Also, Wiseman suggests bringing canvas bags to the cafeteria in which to carry meals, instead of using the provided plastic bags, which students go through very quickly. As for the recycling of paper, Wiseman points out that tissue and wrapping paper, as well as window envelopes and staples, can all be recycled.
In terms of energy usage, Wiseman says there is a great deal that students can do to conserve energy, such as “turning off the sink while you brush your teeth, using paper from the recycle bin as scrap paper instead of a brand new sheet, and of course, taking the stairs.” In addition, there are a lot of people who do not know about “phantom us-age,” which is the small amount of energy that is constantly being used when a device like a cell phone charger or a toaster is plugged into a wall socket, even if the device is not in use. The amount of energy drawn from each device in a dorm room can add up to a lot, if students are not careful to unplug devices which are not in use.
Students interested in getting involved in Energy and Sustainability programs and activities can learn more at www.yu.edu/sustainability and on the Energy and Sustainability Facebook page.
For more information about what can be recycled in New York City click here.