Environmental enthusiasts, earth-lovers and sustainability-conscious people gathered in Hyde Hall on Thursday to learn about recycling and making earth a better place to live in.
YIKES, You(th) Involved in Keeping Earth Sustainable, an organization dedicated to educating teens and community members of the importance of living sustainably, hosted The Re-hashed Trash Bash, an “upcycling” contest awards bash.
Contestants submitted entries made up of at least 85% of recycled, used or water materials, both art and product categories. Some of the featured items included colorful tote bags made from plastic grocery bags, recycled aluminum hair pins and a painted rain barrel.
Guests enjoyed local food dinner including a player of local farm-fresh vegetables fritters and gluten-free and vegan brownies and cookies.
Alex Lowrie, YIKES’s leader for the UNC chapter, said this event offered students the bility to learn about how to be more environmentaly friendly.
A presentation about community’s trash, led by Muriel Williman of Orange County Solid Waste Management, focused on recycling.
“If we’re really going to be serious about conserving the earth, recycling is the first step,” she said.
When Williman asked the audience whether paper or plastic were more environmentally friendly grocery bags, an audience member yelled, “Neither!” Williman then screamed with excitement and approval.
Another speaker, Robert Campbell, president of the Roger-Eubanks Neighborhood Association, said he hopes to teach community members to be mindful of what they throw away.
“The idea of recycling should start when you’re making the grocery list,” he said.
The event ended with the judging of the recycled art projects and products.
Envelopes made from calendars and book covers won the product category. A collage with a door and bottoms of cans that formed the figure of a tree took the arts win.
“This was our kick-off event to bring awareness about the environment to campus,” Lowrie said. “When students take the initiative to take care of the earth, we’re changing out future for the better.”
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