Earth Day was celebrated at Binghamton University on Wednesday with a zero-waste festival at the Dickinson Amphitheater.
Marina Gonik/Contributing Photographer
“I’m tired of people asking me, ‘Why recycle?’” said Juliet Berling, the environment resource manager of Physical Facilities who coordinated the event. “We’re here today to show people you don’t have to go out of your way to leave a small footprint [on the environment]. We’re here to raise awareness and show that it’s easy, it’s fun and it tastes good.”
All products, such as organic juices and locally grown apples, consumed at the fifth annual festival were recycled. Free handouts included donated and lost-and-found items stacked on a “Take It Or Leave It” table, and leftovers were sent to charity. Items left were comprised of clothing, notebooks, a bicycle and more. Posters at the event demonstrated how to create a homemade environmentally friendly detergent. A hired band performed using solar power.
Among the tabling groups were the Student Environmental Awareness Club (SEAC), Binghamton Animal Alliance and Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits.
A bike raffle was held and a person in a cow suit gave out free hugs.
“It’s Earth Day, so we hand out some healthy products,” said Mike Cleary, a representative for Mains Paper Food Service, surrounded by boxes of locally grown apples. The company delivers most produce sold in Sodexo dining halls.
Apple peel infused fruit sauce and other health food was handed out at the festival before hitting the market as healthy snack alternatives to New York schools. Students lined up to sample the treats, many of which aren’t yet sold to schools.
Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) had a stand advocating workshops that teach the public how to grow their own food.
The University was recognized in recent years for efforts to make the campus more “green” with campus energy saving contests and recycling programs. Last summer, Princeton Review named BU one of the nation’s top 11 green schools.
However, not everyone at BU is excited over the good press.
“I wish [the University] would do more,” said Richard Andrus, associate professor of environmental studies. “There are major concerns — concerns about trees on campus. For example, the [new] parking lot in Dickinson. If we were really green, we wouldn’t have [built] that.”