From the small steps of picking up a plastic water bottle on the ground to volunteering at a local clean up, environmental sustainability is important in protecting public health and combating climate change. With Earth Day being April 22, maintaining biodiversity is vital.
Fairfield University prides itself in its standing as a green campus. In 2010, Fairfield was awarded an “Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was recognized by Sierra Magazine, a national publication of the nonprofit, environmentally engaged “Sierra Club,” focusing on sustainability projects.
This ‘clean school’ initiative has continued since, and in 2019, Fairfield University began the art of composting. In partnership with Blue Earth Compost, food waste on campus has been reduced by 30,000 pounds.
According to a Fairfield University statement, “In Connecticut alone, more than 650,000 tons of compostable material is incinerated every year.”
Leading Connecticut to an eco-friendly future is not just a school sanctioned responsibility, but also the role of Fairfield students in pursuit of a greener fate. To reach the hopes of environmental stewardship, here is a list of ways students can contribute to positively helping the greater community.
Eat Locally: On the weekends, a common activity among students is going off campus to eat at restaurants with their friends. To support our ecosystems, eat locally at farm-to-table restaurants. A classic farm-to-table establishment in town is The Sinclair, a classic American cuisine restaurant located at 1229 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824. The local focus draws diners in by offering everything from brunch mimosas to happy hour cocktails. Beyond the fun drinks are the seasonal vegetables, braised meats, and fresh seafood, which is all locally sourced.
For an elevated experience, Terrain Cafe located at 561 Post Road East in Westport, CT, values the overall dining experience. From seasonally changed menus to the cafe’s greenhouse ambience, Terrain immerses itself with plant nurseries. With the original location being Glen Mills, PA, the Terrain company has partnered with academic institutions to support local agriculture.
Drive Less: Easy to say for on-campus college students, driving less reduces the fossil fuels burned. In eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, Fairfield students can walk to town and back or take public transportation such as the Stag Bus to lower air pollution.
Hang it Up: Dryers are one of the most used energy appliances. With most students living in a dorm, energy consumption is always at high use. Switching to natural alternatives such as a drying rack or natural sunlight will not only save time fighting people in the laundry room, but also reduce microplastic pollution and preserve fabrics for a greater amount of time.
Bye to Red Solo Cups: Fairfield is known for its darties such as SantaCon and Sham Jam. It is inevitable that partakers are going to litter, however, there are ways to reduce this waste. Through saying bye to the traditional red solo cups, students should seek out reusable water bottles such as Owalas, Stanleys, and Hydroflasks. This prevents the use of plastic in the environment. Biodegradable cups made of bamboo and other highly reusable materials can also be a good alternative.
Lights On, Lights Off: With the hassle of running back and forth from your room to classes, lights often get left on for a long duration of time, even when people are not in their residences. It is important to remember to turn off the lights in your dorm room or suite while going in and out. The same goes to TVs and appliances.
This Earth Day is the time to reflect on unsustainable habits and practices. With simple changes in day-to-day life, Fairfield students can protect the environment and go green.
