This is a page to collect ideas for living “green” on and off campus. If you ideas to add, e-mail me and we’ll put them up.

Waste Free Lunches:
How much packaging do you waste when you pack your lunch? Most of us, whether we make or buy our lunches, waste more than we need to. Try to reduce your waste by:

• Using the washable utensils in the Refectory or packing your own stainless steel.
• Use one of the napkins provided by the napkin project or bring your own rather than using paper.
• Pack your sandwiches and sides in Tupperware that can be washed rather than plastic bags.
• Use a reusable lunch bag or box to bring your lunch in rather than a paper bag.
• Put your drink is a reusable bottle or at least recycle your can or bottle when you are finished.

Napkin Project (written by Catherine Neelly)
In an effort to reduce waste, students are using cloth napkins in the refectory. We feel that the way we treat our planet is a moral issue, and this small act of stewardship is one way we can make a difference. The idea came about this summer during Greek School. At the end of a meal I looked at my tray and realized that I had 5 or 6 extra napkins that I was about to throw in the garbage. The excess hit me, and I decided to start bringing a cloth napkin to meals. I did this consistently, and people began to notice. Sue Jacobson began to bring a napkin too. We started talking about how good it would be to have napkins for more students, and Sue offered a collection of napkins her sister gave her. And the project was born.

The students participating in this project use cloth napkins in the refectory. The napkins are kept in boxes on the piece of furniture that looks like a dresser, by the doors of the refectory. There are three boxes, one for clean napkins, and two for used/re-usable napkins. After a meal the students place the clothespin with their name onto their napkin if it is still clean enough to use again. If it is not clean it is placed in the plastic gray plastic bag inside the drawer. At following meals the students will use their napkins or get clean ones. It’s pretty simple.

Students received the Napkin Project with excitement, and we soon realized that there weren’t enough napkins. Now thanks to donations from community members there are many napkins, and we can take more participants in the project. If you are interested in participating ask me for a clothespin, or just bring your own. If you want to help, we can always use more napkins; so if you have some, bring them by the refectory. Another way to help is by washing the napkins. If you are doing laundry and think about it, grab the dirty napkins and toss them into the wash, but please bring them back promptly.

We realize that we won’t be conserving massive amounts of paper. This is a small act, a small step. As much as this is about conservation, it’s also a discipline. Each time we pick up our napkins we are reminded that we are called to care for our planet, for God’s creation.