News

A successful sustainable initiative at the beginning of the semester has thrilled and encouraged its co-founders to continue the work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

“I am pleased at the participation and the outcome of the Cougars Care initiative that we introduced during SIUE’s Winter Welcome earlier this month,” said New Student Transitions Coordinator Kelly Moroney. “The Cougars Care initiative was a new set of 13 goals created by myself and my graduate assistant Josie Clark. The main idea is to reduce the amount of waste created through program planning and implementation, while teaching students different ways to live sustainably.” 

The following goals were the most effective during Winter Welcome:

• Goal 6: Establish a temporary compost for the event. “We had nine compost bins throughout our event location in the Morris University Center and the Cougar Pavilion,” said Moroney. “We were able to compost 92 pounds of food waste, compostable tablecloths, plates, cups and utensils. The compost will go towards fertilizing soil, rather than sitting in a landfill.” 

• Goal 7: Limit the amount of printed materials given to students. “Prior to the event, all targeted students received a postcard printed on recycled paper with recycled ink,” she said. “All other communication was digital.” 

• Goal 11: Promote the environmentally friendly things at SIUE. “Josie talked to numerous offices and partners across campus and compiled as much information as possible about everything from bee sanctuaries to how many types of native plants are protected on campus,” noted Moroney. “We included this information on our website, the SIUE app, pre-event emails and in conversations during the event. Additionally, we also included links to the existing ‘100 Ways to Go Green’ page.” 

• Goal 12: Reduce unnecessary waste. “We are extremely proud to say that most non-recyclable waste from the event fit into one plastic shopping bag,” said Moroney. Approximately 70 students attended the event.  

  Other event accomplishments included:

• The compost saved the equivalent of emissions from 0.1 cars, according to Total Organics Recycling. 

• More than 90 percent of students who completed the post-Winter Welcome assessment indicated they would be extremely likely to participate in composting on campus, if it were to occur again. 

• The paint used during the evening craft activity was created using 25 percent less energy and was packaged in bottles made from recycled plastic, with recycled paper labels.  

   “Cougars Care taught students more about what sustainability means, and how they can get involved in sustainability efforts across campus,” said Moroney. “Numerous students came up to me during the program and said how cool it was that we were doing sustainable things like composting, being mindful of the kind of packaging we used, and checking what went into creating the products that are purchased. 

   “We figuratively and literally planted seeds of sustainability.”

Photos:
New Student Transitions Graduate Assistant Josie Clark checks in freshman Rahil Khedri (left) and visiting student Iga Wisniowicz (right) during an activity for Cougars Care.  

Using Cougars Care compost are Cougar Guides Kayla Nichols (left) and Emilie Engerski (right).