Keep sustainability in mind during graduation partying
This is the opinion of Ryan Imm.
As TAMSAK season approaches, graduating seniors’ sustainable mindsets often become secondary, as taking care of the earth is not at the top of their to-do lists. While graduation, internships, jobs, housing and much more can be absolutely overwhelming for our beloved seniors, all that partake in the tradition of the non-stop party can all help with sustainable initiatives by following a few simple pieces of advice.
First, ditch the red solo cups! Although seen across colleges and universities around the nation, this cheap alternative is harmful to the environment, and not very classy.
Sadly, even though Toby Keith tried to provide some environmental advice when he sang that the “…red solo cup is cheap and disposable. And in fourteen years, they are decomposable,” he was quite wrong. Solo cups (otherwise known as number six plastics) take an average of 450-1000 years to decompose by themselves and often cannot be recycled (remember that CSB and SJU do not permit the recycling of number six and number seven plastics!).
As a substitute for the solo sup, try any other glass or cup that can be washed and used again—make it fun!
Second, if you plan to dress up for events, try to be conservative with what you buy and where you buy it from. Before buying costumes or outfits from large-scale companies and/or organizations, check with a local thrift store or ask your friends if you can raid their closet to complete your look.
Knowing that not everyone has the luxury of a car to go shopping at a local thrift store and may not have friends with stylish closets, at the bare minimum, everyone should ask themselves how many times they see themselves wearing the item(s) they wish to purchase.
Just because you can donate the item after wearing it once or twice should not justify your purchase.
This causes second-hand stores to be flooded with products that are often made from cheap materials right after holidays that incite costume-wearing, such as Halloween or birthday parties.
Finally, clean up after yourself! Whether it be cans, bottles, jugs, bags or anything else, be conscious to throw away your trash and recycle what can be recycled.
As a friendly reminder, plastics one through five, cardboard, paper, glass bottles and jars and metal containers (tin, aluminum, and steel) can all be recycled if they are properly cleaned (a.k.a. rinsed and dried). Not only is it childish to leave your waste on the ground but it is also damaging to the ecosystem of St. Joseph and the reputation of the schools.
TAMSAK season is meant to be a getaway from the end-of-the-year academic stress and the sadness of leaving the CSB/SJU community once and for all, and being sustainable doesn’t have to take away from that.
Following these few simple guidelines, seniors can act as role models for rising Johnnies and Bennies who have the potential to make future TAMSAKs environmentally friendly while just as fun. Unlike other seasons where people give things up for forty days, this forty-day tradition can be partnered with action—sustainable action!
