My name is Brook Nullmeyer and I am passionate about grass-roots sustainability. What frustrates me about environmental awareness is how one person’s efforts can be completely trumped by another person’s ignorance. For example, when someone goes out of his or her way to recycle a single pop can, this effort is completely negated if another person, for example, does not even have a basic blue bin in his or her apartment. In my personal life, I have taken action and worked to implement recycling at both the Huron University Cafeteria and at Rocky Crest Golf Club.
Additional Information
Personal Definition of Sustainability
Sustainability is acting in a way that is sustainable for generations to come. Looking at the recycling bins at Ivey for example, I am shocked at how there is often more recycling in the garbage than actual garbage. What frustrates me is how no one thinks about how this carelessness is not sustainable for future generations. I am not here to promote spending a billion dollars on a new form of renewable energy, rather I am here to propose we all ensure to take basic steps to reduce waste and our reliance on natural resources.
Sustainability-in-Action
As the Environmental Commissioner at Huron University, I was given full autonomy for environmental initiatives on campus. I worked on various initiatives including: new recycling mandates and composting in the cafeteria, re-landscaping the student reading garden and designing stickers to put under light switches with a light-hearted message to remind students to turn their lights off.
With no recycling at Rocky Crest Golf Club, I worked with management to implement a recycling system. Management was interested in introducing recycling, but specifically stated they did not want to invest any time or money. I suggested we order three bins for $10 each, and design signage for each bin on PowerPoint. The result was a simple, practical solution that turned 75% of waste into recycling.
Moving forward, I plan to continue focusing my efforts on working with the new Environmental Commissioner at Huron University. The issue with the role is finding someone who is passionate about Environmental Issues, but who also has an entrepreneurial spirit to take on a role that has little guidance from student council. I was able to find a passionate student to take over the role for this year, but I am in constant contact and regularly work with him on his plans for each semester.
