Green Team says Zero-Waste is not too ‘Far- Fetched’

NORMAL, Ill.- On Friday the Green Team will be host a forum for faculty and staff.  The Green Team began 10 years ago, which eventually led to the creation of the Office of Sustainability. This forum is to recruit faculty and staff to the efforts of creating a more sustainable ISU. Office Director Elisabeth Reed said, “When I took on this position, lots of faculty came to me and asked to reinvent the Green Team.”

Reed explained that there are opportunities for students to get involved on campus.

“Whether it be through student organizations, internships in our office, even the student sustainability committee but the Green Team a great way for faculty to get involved.”

Some steps the Green Team is taking is hosting zero-waste events here on campus. The forum held this Friday will be zero-waste.

Reed explain that zero waste is, “90 percent of what you are consuming during an event is either compostable or recyclable. This zero-waste event is great practice for future events of campus.”

The Green Team requested reusable silverware and are using ISU caters who compost leftover food products for Friday’s event. The food composted at ISU events go to a Peoria facility and is turned into soil.

“In fact, some of the soil composted at the facility comes back to ISU for projects. For example, the Redbird Arena foundation used soil from that facility,” said Reed.

Reed and the Green Team hopes to work towards being zero-waste.

“It is not something too far-fetched. It is definitely something worth working towards. The Green Team is a great format for exploring a zero-waste campus,” said Reed.

Another event that will be waste-free here on campus is the International Series which will be held this Wednesday.

Reed plans on hearing from passionate students and will continue to explore new initiatives towards sustainability.