Environmental Coalition Potluck

BU Environmental groups, unite!!! Tonight was the first meeting for the Environmental Coalition, a relatively new umbrella group dedicated to connect all sustainability organizations across campus. It's such a great idea to link all of the clubs together with administration, to trade ideas, organize even greater and more impactful events, and extend to a diverse range of groups across campus.

BU is such a huge university (divided into about 20 colleges), that it's a challenge to keep everyone informed and active participants in communal movements. However, through quality organization, almost anything is possible.

Clubs represented at the potluck:
- Environmental Student Organization (ESO)

- Beekeeper's Club

- Biking Club

- Student Government (Environmental Chapter)

- Organic Gardening Club (they get to use the greenhouse, I'm so excited excited excited to participate :D)

- Community Service Center (Environmental Volunteer Service)

- Vegetarian Society

- BU Dining Services
- USGC LEED Certification Club

The meeting basically covered summaries of each club, when they meet, what they do; there was also super delicious homemade food there, including vegan bread pudding (<3nondairysweettreats)! There are over 17 groups on campus devoted to sustainable practices.

Random tidbits I learned from the presentation:

- Beekeeper's Club is making chapstick this winter!!!
- The GSU (student union foodcourt) is the only Green Certified food court in the state, complying with LEED certification rules. They're judged based on food waste, compost, biodegradable utensils and containers, energy and water usage in bathrooms, cleaning products, lighting, etc.
- BU has 99 solar compactors, whose high-tech fullness detectors have cut garbage collection down from 14  times a week to 4-6 times a week. 

- Although we expanded campus 12%, we decreased our energy usage by 6% last year

- Meatless Mondays: just as the name represents! I think I might join the vegetarian movement!