The Eco-Interest floor is a living learning community created to increase student awareness about local and global environmental issues. This floor is home to students ranging from freshmen to senior status who are interested in learning about sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Through programs, field trips, and community service, students learn about living sustainably and develop "green" living habits. This floor is open to students that are interested in developing sustainable ways of living, not only in the residence halls, but also at home, work, and in the community.
Students who live on the Eco-Interest floor are expected to actively participate in environmental initiatives, programs, and meetings that the Eco-Interest Team Leader organizes. Meetings are bi-weekly and follow certain themes including recycling, organic, reduce, or going green. Eco-Interest students also attend community service projects and field trips. In the past, students have taken a tour of Whole Foods Market, visited the Rochester Hills Farmers' Market, volunteered during Make a Difference Day, and participated in the Greening of Detroit.
For the past two years, Eco-Interest students have helped organize and dispose large amounts of waste from Move-In weekend. Eco-Interest students along with S.O.P.E., Sustaining Our Planet Earth, sort through trash, separating paper, plastic, and cardboard. The efforts of our students have helped to save tons of recyclables from landfills.
This year, the Eco-Interest floor features new and exciting amenities. During summer 2010, the second floor of West Vandenberg was converted into an environmentally friendly floor. The floor now has 100% recycled and sustainable carpets, non-toxic paint, dual flushing toilets, water-saving faucets and showerheads, and sustainable furniture.
So you want to be green but don't have much time or money to devote to it? There are a few easy ways that you can be green without spending more green:
1) Don't leave water running. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and do not use more water than necessary for other activities (doing the dishes, taking showers, washing your hands, etc.)
2) Turn off the lights when you leave the room, and when you do turn them on make sure you have fluorescent bulbs.
3) Instead of waiting for the water to run cold from the tap, have a jug of water in the fridge for when you need a cold drink.
4) Buy rechargeable batteries, and recycle those batteries you have that are not.
5) Put on more clothes before turning up the thermostat.
6)Try to avoid using Styrofaom.
7) Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper.
8) Make a habit of recycling EVERYTHING that can be recycled. Paper, aluminum, glass, plastic, etc.
9) Donate old things such as clothing, books, and toys that you do not use anymore to others that will use them.
10) Buy items that are already made of recycled materials, and when you're finished recycle them again.
Click here for Eco-Interest FAQs