Sustainability week at Virginia Tech, an educational event of reflection for environmental consciousness, has so far been highlighted by silent auctions, fairs, movie premieres, green building tours and keynote speakers.
Activities continue throughout the weekend including the painted rain barrel auction. This event showcases 12 rain barrels, donated by Coca Cola, which have been decorated by local artists and schools over the past month. These rain barrels have been on display at the Blacksburg Municipal Building and are still open for auction. Proceeds from the auction contribute to Sustainable Blacksburg, a non-profit organization that advocates environmental responsibility in Blacksburg.
The local YMCA on North Main has also stepped up its own sustainable efforts when it hosted "Recycle Old Clothes Craftily," helping people find ways to turn old clothes into new styles. The YMCA has been involved with sustainability through its "Y-Toss?" program that helps students recycle instead of filling up landfills, along with its thrift shops that allow students to get rid of old or broken technology without being harmful to the environment.
During the Oct. 22 Sustainability Fair held in Squires Student Center, organizations from all over Blacksburg converged to educate students on campus about just what is being done in terms of making Tech more sustainable. Transportation and Campus Services, represented by communication coordinator Hilary West, was informing students of the new benefits of carpooling and using public transportation.
"We coordinate with Smart Way and Blacksburg Transit," West said. "We have bought $100 passes that are usually sold through Smart Way; we are selling them for $75 as a way to help people with a more sustainable and affordable way to get to campus. This will mostly be for employees who live in the Salem or Roanoke areas who commute to campus. ... This will also help to alleviate some parking on campus."
Transportation is also starting up a new program for carpooling commuters that will allow them to fill a Fleet Services vehicle with up to seven passengers and avoid the normal wear and tear on their own cars with a long-term rental, West said.
Another program showcased at the fair was Blacksburg Recycling represented by Karen Day, solid waste operations coordinator.
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