Salve “Goes Green”

By: Vita Duva
Posted In: News

Economy sized condiment pumps, 100% bleach free brown napkins, recyclable coffee cups and biodegradable utensils made from cornhusks graffiti dining locations on Salve Regina University’s campus.

Alongside tray-less dining protrudes homegrown milk from Portsmouth, locally farm-grown fruits and vegetables and fair trade coffee.

These and many other efforts around campus encourage students to take only what they need and use, in a new initiative to go green.

Tanya Peterson, after four years of employment at the Miley Cafeteria, stressed the importance of Miley’s newfound environmental awareness: “It teaches students how to make a difference.”

However, Sodexo Dining Services are not alone in making a difference this year at Salve. New changes help to cut down the amount of food, water and energy waste around campus, as well as reducing garbage and pollution within the naturally stunning Newport. Going green has also raised a greater awareness within the community both in and around Salve Regina University.

This academic year, Salve Regina University is encouraging resident undergraduates to go green as well. The “Green Room” program surfaced during the Spring Semester of 2009 through the Office of Residential Life. Students must pledge to recycle and use less water and electricity. Upon participating, each room receives a nifty sticker acknowledging their promise to dormitory onlookers.

“Ten out of fifteen rooms have gone green so far,” stated Erin Kennedy, a junior. Kennedy, a dedicated nursing major, is the Resident Assistant (RA) for third floor Hunt.

“I don’t doubt 100% participation, everyone has been enthusiastic,” she added.

Kennedy recycles often, having learned the value of environmental awareness through RA training this fall.

With two-thirds participation already on just one floor of many out of the several other on-campus residences, it seems as though Salve Regina University’s promise to go green is close to being in full effect just this fall semester alone.

According to Kelly Malaguti, a member of Salve’s Environmental Club, a plethora of plans and goals have already been put to order.

“We would like to have all light bulbs energy efficient by the end of this year and have every student recycling,” she explained. Other goals include, decreasing the use of bottled water and increasing the use of nalgene containers.