At Temple University, efforts are made to lower the carbon footprint and increase the positive impact left on the campus and across the Philadelphia community. One organization that helps make this possible is the EcoReps, a volunteer-based role that commits to learning about and leading sustainability initiatives.
The EcoReps are the hands-on helpers behind maintaining events such as Temple’s community garden, Give + GO Green initiative, Temple Thrift, secondhand bicycle sales on campus, and Weigh the Waste.
“I think that sustainability should be the baseline for everyone,” said EcoReps member Morgan Miller. “I feel that it’s up to everyone as an individual to do what they can to make a difference and I want to do as much as I can.”
The Give + GO Green initiative was created to promote a more sustainable way to get rid of certain items throughout the year, specifically during dorm hall move out. There are clothing donation bins, nonperishable food item bins, and you can always donate school supplies to the Office of Sustainability.
The approved food items are placed in Temple’s Cherry Pantry, the on-campus free pantry offering not only food options, but also menstrual and hygiene products. The clothing donated to the Give + GO Green bins get sorted and used for the Temple Thrift pop-ups, which donates all proceeds right back to the Cherry Pantry.
One EcoRep, Keisha Henriquez, said one of her goals is to reduce the number of garments produced annually by fast-fashion companies.
“That is why I believe that Temple Thrift is such a good place to start for a reusable and recyclable system, something everyone should participate in,” Henriquez said.
Along with on-campus volunteering and events, EcoReps also helps out nearby communities. For example, they collaborate with Sanctuary Farms.
“Volunteering at Sanctuary Farm is my favorite event and has been really awesome connecting people in the community,” said EcoRep Yejide Fagoroye. “It is something I haven’t done much in the past and I’m grateful for the opportunity to get more involved in a hands-on way that gives back to others outside of Temple.”
Each semester, there are about eight workshops hosted revolving around conversations of sustainability, allowing peers to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who also care to have conversations. Anyone can attend these at any time, EcoRep member or not.
Even though you may find a lot of environmental studies students at these workshops, anyone can be an EcoRep with the passion and interest to do their part in giving back and reducing our carbon footprint. The EcoReps workshops create a close-knit group of people who are looking to engage in learning more about sustainability.
“Going to these workshops allows me to expand my knowledge about various environmental issues while also being a part of a group of people who care about them,” said Abigail Fermann, EcoRep and Office of Sustainability worker.