I recently won a personal composter for practicing sustainable living at Wellesley! I’m extremely happy about this:) I never have to throw a banana peel away ever again! Plus its adorable:
Here is my new little composter right next to my recycling bin.
So what counts as sustainable living at Wellesley? Well, the Wellesley Sustainability Office has a checklist of things you can see here. My res hall’s eco rep came up to my room one morning, we chatted for a bit, then she asked me all these questions. This program is called the Sustainability Audit and its one of many things that Wellesley’s Office of sustainability is doing to make this campus more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
If you’re interested in sustainability you might find the Wellesley’s sustainability plan website interesting to check out! It’s a beautiful website and very comprehensive, including both everything currently being done and the plans for Wellesley’s future. It covers the sectors of Academics, Buildings, Climate & Energy, Food & Dining, Landscape & Watershed, Purchasing & Waste, Transportation, and Water.
I wish I’d been more aware of all the opportunities related to sustainability available at Wellesley (as well as Babson and Olin) when I first arrived a Wellesley three years ago. From the Wellesley, Babson, Olin sustainability certificate program to the growing number of sustainability related courses (offered across 18 departments) there are so many opportunities to engage with this topic academically. Outside of academics there are opportunities like working in the Wellelsey vegetable garden or becoming a member of Olin’s sustainable beekeeping club (which I did this past fall).
But I think it’s still just as important to remember the little things in day to day life. For example, turning the lights off when you leave a room, opening the curtains during the day to let in natural sunlight and warmth (to reduce heating needs), and reducing personal waste. That’s why I’m so excited about my composter! Now I can reduce my personal waste even more. And even after I graduate and leave Wellesley, where I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to compost in all the dining halls, I will still be able to compost!!