By Emma Bracken

As the spring semester begins, The University of Arkansas Union Sustainability Team is launching the second phase of its new sustainability initiatives. Across campus, these passionate students are finding ways to reshape our attitude toward sustainability on the U of A campus, creating a safer, healthier environment for fellow students and staff. 

Though sustainability initiatives have existed on campus in the past, the Union team’s goal is to educate people on how to take steps on their own and about what sustainability really means, especially in the context of our community. They share information with students largely through tabling information and with sustainability stations available on all floors of the Student Union. 

Joel Takow, a graduate student at the university and sustainability operations assistant at the Union Team, coordinates many of these projects and ensures space and encouragement for student involvement. 

“Some people think sustainability practices just involve placing waste in a recycle bin, but our concern is educating people on how to recycle materials properly and the importance of doing so,” Takow said. “We usually set up a table at the food court twice a week called our composting table, where we collect post-food waste with the primary focus on educating students on sustainability.”

Takow explained that having real, in-person exposure to information about sustainability and demonstrations on responsible recycling practices proved to be an effective part of the team’s initiative. Student life can be incredibly busy and sometimes overwhelming, leading students to prioritize convenience when it comes to food, fashion, and energy use. However, allowing students to have hands-on exposure and guidance in regard to sustainable practices allows them to feel comfortable making changes to their routines and lifestyles. 

Though these initiatives are in place and are being continually developed, some students may not realize the opportunities that exist on campus for them to get involved and take action themselves. Ella Fei Flesher, the Union team’s sustainability intern, described other avenues that the team has taken to provide sustainability resources to students.

“I am most excited about our sustainable events initiative in which we are providing a free consultation for anyone that books a room in the Union and chooses to opt-in to make their event as low-waste as possible,” Flesher said.

Though this organization is centered in the student Union, this new initiative will allow campus-wide events to be greener. Not only does the Union team offer consults, but will staff these events with volunteers to provide recycling and compost resources. According to Flesher, they have also introduced a Green Career Series, in which guest speakers in the sustainability job field can come speak with students and offer advice to those interested in going on a similar path. 

“There are so many ways we have made transparent to students how they can take steps to engage and make a difference in our campus and environment,” Takow said. “The very first step is to sign up on Hog Sync and Give Pulse where we always post information on sustainability activities and opportunities both in and out of campus and register to participate.”

Beyond just the Union Team, there are several organizations associated with the university and larger community for students to get involved in. Sustainability efforts require both mindful practices in everyday life and assembling to create greater change and widespread education. Flesher recommended Zero Hour Arkansas, Sustainable Fashion Club, and Students Advocating for the Environment (SAFE) as green student-led organizations to get involved in. 

“Volunteering is an actionable way to make a difference in your community and help organizations operate,” Flesher said. 

Takow and Flesher also recommended that students get involved with the Volunteer Action Center (VAC) and Razorback Food Recovery, which are campus organizations that are always looking for volunteers. These organizations target food insecurity on campus while promoting sustainable food resources. When trying to fight issues like pollution, it is necessary to understand how these issues plague parts of our community differently. 

“Pollution most negatively affects impoverished neighborhoods and communities of color,” Flesher said. “They are most at risk of being exposed to environmental hazards due to systemic racism and redlining.”

Sustainability is a complex issue, and the ways for students to do their part are varied and more complex than the standard recycling practices and lower plastic use they might be familiar with. Between all of the different organizations volunteer centers available to students, they can find a niche that they are passionate about and is a realistic part of their life to make more sustainable.

Sophia Prowting, an undergraduate architecture student, noted that despite the sustainability efforts, some aspects of campus could still use improvement. With overcrowded trash cans, constant construction plans and largely concrete structures, campus does not always feel the cleanest and most environmentally friendly. However, Prowting notes that green initiatives such as planting more trees or creating more public garden areas could offset this problem.

“In order to create a healthier and more sustainable campus, starting off small is a good initial step,” Prowting said. “But ultimately the goal should be a campus-wide initiative.” 

Takow also explored the ways that individual actions make an impact on our environmental future, but also the necessity of overall shifts in our campus culture and lifestyle practices.

“Consumption patterns need to shift,” Takow said. “Overconsumption, whether of energy, fast fashion or disposable goods is a root cause of many environmental issues. Living sustainably isn’t about following trends; it’s about ensuring the health of our planet for future generations. Shifting away from viewing sustainability as optional is critical.”

If the community can become educated and passionate about our environmental future, individual actions become collective and powerful. Takow explained that it’s not about perfection but consistent and mindful action. As the Union Sustainability Team works to provide information and actionable steps to students across campus, it is also in our hands to examine our own lifestyles through the lens of sustainability and take advantage of the many organizations and resources that the U of A has to offer.