Take Action!

Main Content

Saluki Green Action Team identifier

Hello Saluki Green Action Team!   

We are in our third week of Recyclemania, a national collegiate waste reduction tracking and benchmarking competition. Last week, SIU diverted over 18,000 pounds of recycling and compost from the landfill, giving us a total diversion rate of 22.4%. 

Did you know: The average American produces 4.4 pounds of waste each day? That's significantly more than the global average of 2.6 pounds. When you consider that we are a country of 323 million people, that adds up to a yearly trash total of 254 million tons - enough trash to reach the moon and back 25 times! 

Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, but it still requires energy.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place.  

Reducing waste prevents pollution caused by the need to harvest new raw materials, saves energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Reduction is the best option! 

Take action:   

  • Reduce the amount of waste you create by changing your daily habits! Little things can add up in a big way. Here are 10 easy ways you can create less waste: 

    1. Carry your own grocery bags (store them in your car or backpack.) 
    2. Take a reusable water bottle when you leave the house. 
    3. Bring a refillable coffee cup and avoid take-away cups. 
    4. Pack your lunch and reduce fast food waste. 
    5. BYO utensils and containers 
    6. Choose "no straw." 
    7. Ditch the paper towels and use washable rags instead. 
    8. Compost at home. 
    9. Buy in bulk, which requires less packaging. 
    10. Buy less and buy things that last. 
recycling recycling labelling
recycling2
Photo Caption: Ashley, a second year Graduate Student (Masters of Fine Arts) shows us how to fill and label our container when buying in bulk. 
Photo Credit: Evelyn Gonsalez, Graduate Student (M.S. in Professional Media and Media Management), SGAT member. 

Sources:  USA EPA: Reducing and Reusing Basics   Salon.com: America is a Wasteland 

To Win a Prize: Share our post on our Facebook page or on Instagram/Twitter to be entered for a chance to win this month's prize!  
Invite your friends to join the team, too. If they mention that you referred them when they sign up, you'll receive an extra entry in our next prize drawing.  

Keep up the great work,  
Saluki Green Action Team  
greenaction@siu.edu || @siugreenaction   

BECOME A SALUKI GREEN ACTION TEAM MEMBER