Evergreen reaches for sustainability

By John Dodge | The Olympian • Published September 22, 2008

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The Evergreen State College always has had a reputation as a college community that cares about the environment.

But students, faculty, staff members and others will be asked this school year to step it up a notch through a new sustainability initiative.

"One of the big themes this year is creating a campus culture that supports sustainability," said John Pumilio, who was hired into the new position of TESC director of sustainability in March.

Evergreen's vision is to create a laboratory of sustainability in its operations, curriculum and lifestyle for employees and students so they can live without depleting or destroying natural resources and protect the health of the planet for future generations.

The sustainability initiative, which includes broad goals of zero waste and no net greenhouse emissions by 2020, was unveiled this week at the faculty convocation luncheon. About 85 percent of the food was locally grown and served with biodegradable plates, cups and utensils. At the end of the meal, everything was recycled into Evergreen's new food waste recycling bins.

"Last year, we had eighteen bins and several hundred pounds of trash from the lunch that went to the landfill," Pumilio told the some 300 faculty members and staff at the lunch. "This year, we have the largest, greenest event in the history of the college."

Dinnerware

The potato and corn-based dinnerware cost about 20 percent more than traditional plastic disposable plates, cups and utensils, noted Kathleen Haskett, purchasing and contract manager at the college. But the price difference should narrow with increased demand for compostable greenware.

"Besides, what price do you put on sending things to the landfill?" Haskett asked.

As the luncheon wound down, diners sorted through their waste, making sure they put it in the right recycling bins.

"Most people are behind it," said faculty member Rob Cole, who's been working on a project to inventory and reduce the school's carbon footprint. "As a nation, we waste more resources than most people in the world use."