Events

Beta/Gamma

March 2012
Eco Tea Party: The Beta/Gamma Eco Reps discussed sustainability over tea and snacks with residents.

February 2012
Ice Skating for Sustainability: The AS Alternative Transportation Coordinator gave a presentation on sustainable transportation before Beta/Gamma residents boarded a bus to the Sportsplex to ice skate.

January 2012
Go for the Green Kick-off Henna Party: Providing snacks from the Community Food Co-op, the Eco-Reps of Beta/ Gamma informed residents about the Go for the Green Competition while the residents were given Henna tattoos.

November 2011
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

February 2011
Green Spa Green Spa Night: Bata/Gamma residents were able to kick back and enjoy sample products of environmentally healthy and sound beauty produces from toothpaste to face wash to nail polish! Eco Reps taught their residents the importance of USDA labeling and animal testing. The residents became conscience of beauty products that are healthy for themselves and the environment.

January 2011
No Impact Man: A screening the documentary No Impact Man and serving "low impact" treats. Following the movie we will have a discussion about the movie and various ways to reduce group and individual environmental impact.

Door-to-Door: BG Eco Reps went around to every dorm room in their hall to ask residents to sign onto the water and heat pledges that promote reducing water and natural gas use in the dorms as well as gain them more points for Go for the Green.

Birnam Wood

November 2012
Create-A-Cleaner: Birnam Wood Eco Reps provided their residents with the ingredients to make bleach-free cleaners. They also taught their residents about the harmful effects chemical cleaners have on our water source and Bellingham Bay aquatic life.

February 2012
Planet Earth Movie Night: The BW Eco Reps wanted to inspire our residents to think more about their consumption and waste practices by showing the beautiful Planet Earth dvd's. They also discussed the Go for the Green Challenge with residents.

Basketball Game Trash Sorting: BW Eco Reps partnered with the Viking basketball team and Carol Berry, the WWU Sustainable Transportation Coordinator and 10x12 Program Manager, to sort waste at a basketball game in an effort to promote a zero-waste Western.

November 2011
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

Compost Education Door-to-Doors: The Eco Reps of Birnam Wood were going door-to-door in the month of November to educate their residents about the compost bins that are unique to their residence hall. They taught residents how to use their bins and supplied them with compostable bags.

April 2011
Go for the Green Celebration: After winning the Go for the Green Total Waste Reduction Challenge BW Eco Reps threw a celebration with their community equipped with pizza and sustainable snacks! The Eco Reps also ordered a plaque that will stand by the Heather they planted in the community. BW was awarded the Heather for winning and it will now stand for years to come with a plaque to announce the success of the BW community.

March 2011
Pimp My Bag: Eco Reps from BW have ordered you new, reusable, Zero Waste bags for all your grocery shopping needs. Now it's your chance to give them a nice touch of your own personality! Rather than wasting plastic bags meet your Eco Reps in the BW Community Building at 7PM to decorate your bags and enjoy sustainable and local snacks from the Co-Op!

Mystery in the Underground: Birnam Wood is putting on Mystery in the Underground complete with University Catering. This 1920's Speakeasy themed event will be run in a sustainable setting by the BW Eco Reps. Ensure proper disposal by putting 'table-tents' around the food and drinks to encourage/educate students to dispose of their food/drink waste wisely as well as keeping a strong eye out to ensure students are doing the right thing and answer any questions that students may have. Come join the event open to people campus wide!

January 2011
CIF Request: The BW Eco Reps submitted a Community Improvement Fund Form to purchase and replace composting bins throughout the BW community that have been damaged or gone missing.

Video: Eco Reps along with residents created a short video on how important composting is and what to do when your friends do not comply with waste reduction.

Sustainable Transportation and Bowling Night: Working with the bus systems, BW residents traveled downtown and walked to the 20th Century Bowling alley. One the residents were there they met with the Student Alternative Transportation Coordinator who explained the importance and the simplicity of traveling sustainably. Afterwards, the group enjoyed a night of bowling.

December 2010
Reusable Grocery Bags: BW Eco Reps ordered reusable grocery bags with a BW, Zero Waste logo on it. One was given to each apartment in BW to promote less waste and reusing of resources.

November 2010
Adopt-A-Trail: BW Eco Reps applied to Whatcom Parks and Recreation to adopt a trail for their hall to use as an educational tool for their residents and do some hands-on sustainable advocacy work in the larger community.

Composting Counts: There was a screening of Wall-e followed by a discussion and 'Q&A' on how the composting system in BW works and what accommodations need to be made to make it a better system.

Plastic Bag Recycling: Located in the BW main lounge, the Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags that they team brings to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

Pumpkin Cleanup: After Halloween the Eco Reps went around their community to pick up smashed and unwanted pumpkins to place in their compost system. This promoted cleaning up as well as provided a service to both residents and Western's Landscape Management.

Buchanan Towers

January 2013
Recycles Arts and Crafts: Buchanan Towers Eco Rep, Allison Awan, put on a recycled art night where residents used recycled materials to make decorations for their dorms and gifts for their friends. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Reusable Water Bottle Night: Hall council helped BT Eco Reps purchase reusable water bottles for their residents. The whole hall was able to decorate their bottles and learned about the importance of reusing and avoiding purchasing plastic water bottles.

February 2012
Soap and Lip Balm Making: The BT Eco Reps assisted residents in creating their own soap and lip balm out of sustainable materials.

Water Bottle Decorating: BT residents decorated water bottles, which were provided by the Eco Reps. Residents were given the reusable water bottles in an effort to reduce waste created from the use of plastic water bottles.

January 2011
BT Poster planning: The BT Eco Reps made educational posters about Go for the Green with their residents. The goal of this program was to educate residents about what Go for the Green is and notify them that it has started.

March 2011
Green Fee Info Booth: Eco Reps will be set up on the third floor lounge to answer any questions you may have about the Green Fee on campus and how you can use the money to create sustainable projects on campus. Come see what the Green Fee is all about!

Baked: As a way to cool down from the stress of Dead Week, BT Eco Reps will be hosting a bake-off to see who can bake the most sustainable and delicious treats! The Eco Reps will also be teaching their residents about properly disposing of food waste and other waste that may be created during the bake off.

Plastic Bag Recycling: BT Eco Reps grouped in their main lounge to collect plastic bags from their residence. The team brought these plastic bags to grocery stores around Bellingham that recycle them. This event promoted less plastic waste and encouraged residents to use their reusable totes that can be found at their front desk.

February 2011
Clothing Swap: After their success in November the BT Eco Reps set up another clothing swap raising awareness on reducing, reusing, and recycling.

No Impact Man: BT residents were invited to watch No Impact Man, a documentary about a family attempting to make a little environmental impact as possible over the course of a year. The residents were informed on electricity use, material impacts, and more.

January 2011
Video Screening: After Eco Reps were asked to create short videos promoting some sort of sustainable advocacy with their fellow residents, BT took it further and had a private screening in their dorm hall.

Door-to-Door: BT Eco Reps went around to every dorm room in their hall to ask residents to sign onto the water and heat pledges that promote reducing water and natural gas use in the dorms as well as gain them more points for Go for the Green.

November 2010
Clothing Swap: Eco Reps set up a booth in their third floor lounge where residents were invited to bring their old, unwanted clothes. Residents were able to trade with other residents for new shirts, jeans, and hand bags, promoting the idea of reusing and recycling to reduce their waste impact.

Box Breakdown Party: After hearing concerns from the Recycle Center about the inefficient recycling that has been happening in the dorms, the BT Eco Reps decided to get their residents together to teach them proper recycling technics such as what items can and cannot be recycled as well as the importance in breaking down cardboard before throwing them in the recycle bins.

Edens/Higginson

November 2011
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

Documentary Night: Go Further in Edens/Higginson The Edens/Higginson Eco Reps showed the documentary "Go Further" in the Edens North TV Lounge. The Eco Reps also discussed sustainability and their role in the residence halls.

February 2011
No Make-Up Photo-shoot: The Edens/Higginson Eco Reps wanted to show how beautiful natural beauty really is as well as show the environmental impacts of make-up, not only with the chemicals make-up is produced with, but also the waste involved in plastic make-up containers. The Eco Reps created an event for Edens/Higginson residents to show off their natural beauty and take pride in low impact.

January 2011
Badge Creation: The Eco Reps felt that their residents had trouble knowing who they were and why they were asking them to work towards a sustainable dorm life. The Edens/Higginson Eco Reps decided the best way to be identified was to create badges that allow residents to pick them out and ask questions about Go for the Green.

Taking Root: Screening the documentary, "Taking Root", allowed the Edens/Higginson Eco Reps to address their residents about environmental degradation and what residents can do to stop it.

Door-to-Door: Edens/Higgison Eco Reps went around to every dorm room in their hall to ask residents to sign onto the water and heat pledges that promote reducing water and natural gas use in the dorms as well as gain them more points for Go for the Green.

Video: Eco Reps along with residents created a short video with about light usage and did one-on-one interviews with residents on how they "go green".

Fairhaven

February 2013
Eco Friendly Scary Story Night: Residents were invited to use the fireplace lighting instead of electric lighting while telling scary stories. They then watched a "scary" environmentally themed movie to drive how the message of reducing energy usage.

February 2012
Green Valentine Green Valentine: The Fairhaven Eco Reps watched a documentary on overpopulation for Valentine's Day and handed out candy.

Dessert and Documentary Night: After preparing home-made oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies, Fairhaven Eco Reps and residents watched an episode of Planet Earth.

November 2011
Dessert and Documentary Dessert and Documentary: The Fairhaven Eco Reps made apples pies with their residents and watch the documentary Food Inc. The goal of the program was to educate resident about the benefits of eat local and sustainable foods.

January 2011
Video: Eco Reps along with residents created a short video with about water use and what residents can do to reduce their water consumption.

Kappa

February 2013
Eco Water Bottle Decorating: Residents were given their own reusable water bottles to decorate. Kappa Eco Rep, Karen, educated her peers on the importance of reusing your own bottles instead of purchasing plastic water bottles.

November 2012
Reusable Bag Decorating: The Kappa Eco Rep got Hall Council to purchase reusable bags for all of their residents. They held an event to decorate their bags in whatever fashion they chose while making "no-bake" cookies, which use less energy to make because there is no need for an oven.

February 2012
Kappa Signs: The Eco Reps made and placed small signs around Kappa to remind residents of the small changes in their lives they can make to live more sustainably. The signs were made on reused cardboard.

November 2011
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

February 2011
Fern Gully: Kappa residents were invited to watch the childhood film, Fern Gully, to observe various conservation issues present in the film. Raising awareness on the impacts our production and resource use has on our planet.

Growing with Love: Eco Reps from Kappa invited their residents to paint Valentine's Day flower pots and gave them native plants to pot in them. The team discussed Go for the Green with their residents as well and the importance of ecology and conservation.

January 2011
Door-to-Door: Kappa Eco Reps went around to every dorm room in their hall to ask residents to sign onto the water and heat pledges that promote reducing water and natural gas use in the dorms as well as gain them more points for Go for the Green.

December 2010
Planet Earth: A screening of Planet Earth followed by a discussion on the importance of protecting our planet.

November 2010
Composting/Recycling Competition: After collecting a bundle of compostables, recyclables, paper, and landfill, Eco Reps put on "Recycling Races". These were races to see who could sort these items correctly and in a timely manner. Residents learned about how and what is recyclable and compostable.

Plastic Bag Recycling: Located in the Kappa main lounge, the Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags that they team brings to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

Mathes

January 2013
Environment in Popular Culture: Mathes Eco Reps set up a game in their main lounge that had environmentally sound undertones and taught their residents about the importance of sustainable living.

November 2012
Waste Audit: The Mathes Eco Reps conducted a waste audit of their trash bins and found that their residents were throwing away much less paper towels than campus wide audits. This can be contributed to the paper towel compost program in Mathes bathrooms. With the waste audit information the Mathes Eco Reps can better educate their residents on what things can be recycled and composted that haven't been to reduce their waste.

March 2012
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

February 2012
Bring Your Own Towel: The Mathes Eco Reps placed signs in the hall's restrooms promoting residents to bring their own towel to the restroom to dry their hands. The goal of the program was to reduce paper towel use which, in turn, saves trees.

Treats and Transportation Treats and Transportation: The AS Alternative Transportation Coordinator gave a presentation on alternative transportation at Western and then hosted a jeopardy game for the residents of Mathes. Afterwards, the Eco Reps provided the residents with ice cream.

Trivia Night: The Mathes Eco Reps hosted a Trivia night for their residents. The trivia questions were based around recycling, water conservation, pollution, and energy conservation. Residents who answered the questions correctly won prizes.

Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: Promoting reuse and recycling, Mathes residents created Valentines out of recycled materials. The Eco Reps hoped the program would show residents how much you can do with reused materials, rather than just throwing them away.

January 2012
Mathes Water Bottle Painting: Mathes Eco Reps handed out free reusable water bottles to residents who then had an opportunity to paint their newly acquired bottles. Additionally, the Eco Reps explained the significance of reusable water bottles and had Go for the Green pledge forms available for signing.

Mathes Go for the Green Kick-Off Party: Mathes residents met in their main lounge to watch the movie Wall-E and sign pledges for the Go for the Green Competition.

November 2011
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.

Prudent Painting: The Mathes Eco Reps provided supplies for painting posters, an electricity-free activity, and educated students on their power surge protectors, and the importance of turning off their lights.

March 2011
180 Degrees South: Mathes Eco Reps wanted to blow off some of the stress from Dead Week and decided to host this video showing. The Eco Reps discussed Go for the Green, but also based much of their discussion on the idea of getting out and enjoying the nature around us and conserving it along the way.

Planet Earth: There was a viewing of Planet Earth and a discussion on environmental issues as well as how Mathes can continue to progress in Go for the Green hosted by Mathes Eco Reps.

February 2011
King Corn: To keep residents involved with Go for the Green, Mathes Eco Reps showed King Corn to residents and talk about where their food comes from and the impacts these food have on our natural environment. The Eco Reps also discussed the importance of Go for the Green and how to continue to succeed in the competition.

Scavenger Hunt: Residents will be given a list of "Green items" that their floor members have to retrieve from their floors, the team that brings back the most items wins! Come learn how Mathes is becoming more sustainable and leading the way in Go for the Green!

Floor Wars-Trivia Night: Test your knowledge on "green" trivia. The Mathes Eco Reps will address general knowledge questions about sustainable practices, not only raising awareness, but learning ways to become green in your personal lives!

Project Runway: Residents will be asked to bring recycled materials that can be made into an outfit that they will design and fit to their RAs! The winners will be judged on creativity, usage of material, and how their RA does with their outfit on the runway show! Learn creative ways to recycle and why it's important in not only Go for the Green, but in everyday life too.

January 2011
Ferngully: After watching the childhood favorite, Eco Reps talked with their residents about the importance of protecting our natural environment and small ways residents can do this in day-to-day activities.

Video: Eco Reps along with residents created a short video with a Harry Potter twist about sustainability and what residents can do to "go green".

Door-to-Door: Mathes Eco Reps went around to every dorm room in their hall to ask residents to sign onto the water and heat pledges that promote reducing water and natural gas use in the dorms as well as gain them more points for Go for the Green.

December 2010
Happy Hydration: After watching a short film about the water bottle industry, the Eco Reps talked about ways to reduce water usage and gave each of the residents their own reusable water bottle to decorate.

Nash

February 2013
Eco Valentine's Craft Night: Nash Eco Reps took reusable materials from their waste station to be repurposed as materials to make Valentine's Day cards and boxes. They also used some of the recycled material as containers for planters of a variety of indoor plants. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

January 2013
Sustainable Potluck/Movie Night: The Nash Eco Reps put on a sustainable dinner for their fellow residents and educated them about eating sustainably. They then watched a movie about food to drive home the message!

December 2012
Minute to Win it: Eco Edition: Nash Eco Reps held an event with a combination of "Eco" events ranging from trash sorting to trivia. The residents were able to learn and have fun with a friendly competition.

March 2012
Eco Olympics: A week of programs focused on sustainability was held in Nash. Programs included making posters out of reused materials, eco trivia, a fashion show, and a scavenger hunt.

February 2012
Nash Trail: Nash residents traveled, for the second time in the 2011-2012 school year, to the trail which the hall has adopted. Residents spread gravel along the trail and hiked to the waterfall which is along it.

January 2012
Nash Trail: Nash residents in a joint effort with Bellingham Parks and Recreation went to clean and clear the trail which the hall has adopted.

March 2011
Planet Earth: For those residents that were tired of studying, Nash Eco Reps had two nights of showings of Planet Earth. Afterwards they discussed environmental awareness as well as allowed their residents to kick back and enjoy sustainable snacks.

January 2011
Dirt: A screening of Dirt, a documentary about soil and how important it is to sustain an ecosystem that replenishes its soils, not destroy them was shown to Nash residents and the Eco Reps lead a short discussion afterward.

Ferngully: After watching the childhood favorite, Eco Reps talked with their residents about the importance of protecting our natural environment and small ways residents can do this in day-to-day activities.

Planet Earth: A screening of Planet Earth followed by a discussion on the importance of protecting our planet.

Door-to-Door: Nash Eco Reps went around to every dorm room in their hall to ask residents to sign onto the water and heat pledges that promote reducing water and natural gas use in the dorms as well as gain them more points for Go for the Green.

Recycled Paper: After discovering that took much paper was being wasted in the Nash computer labs the Eco Reps designed a program that used the papers to make masks and decorations for the upcoming Masquerade dance in Nash.

November 2010
King Corn: A screening of King Corn was followed by an Eco Rep lead discussion revolving around sustainable agriculture and how and what are the important factors when purchasing your food.

SHADO

March 2013
Outback Tour: SHADO Eco Rep, Griffin Gamble, took his residents on a tour of the Outback with help from fellow Eco Rep, Maddie Martin. The residents not only got to see what the Outback is all about, but learned how to establish their own plots and why growing local food is important.

February 2013
Down N' Dirty Planting Party!: Residents were invited to bring glass jars to be reused as potting containers for a variety of plants provided by the Eco Reps. The SHADO residents were given an opportunity to not only grow their own plant, but they were able to see how reusing materials could be put into action.

January 2013
Go for the Green Info Night: To kick off Go for the Green the SHADO Eco Reps held an info session with free snacks and great information on how to win the competition!

Movie Night - No Impact Man!: The Eco Reps put on No Impact Man and inspired their residents to live more sustainably and start reducing. Not only for the sake of the Go for the Green competition, but for the sake of the planet!

December 2012
Creative Crochet: To provide an alternate to turning up their heat, Eco Reps in SHADO taught their residents how to crochet scarves and hats to keep warm during winter quarter.

May 2012
Alpha Hike: SHADO residents joined the Eco Reps for a hike up into the Sehome Arboretum. Hiking-friendly snacks and drinks were provided for all.

November 2011
Eco Snacks and a Movie: Alpha Eco Reps hosted this program in which they supplied food from the Co-op. Additionally, they gave away reusable water bottles, reusable grocery bags, and plants to green trivia winners and watched the movie Food Inc.

April 2011
Food for Thought: Alpha Eco Reps partnered with WWU's Student Food Co-Op to educate their residents on the benefits of eating local. A screening of The Future of Food was followed by a home cooked, local meal for all participating residents.

February 2011
Slow Dessert Night: Sigma Eco Reps promoted the Slow Food Movement in their residence hall. The team bought slow food desserts from the Co- Op and got their residents to participate in a game night revolved around Slow Food as well as what their dorm mates want to see from the Eco Reps next quarter!

Sustainable Transportation/Skating Night: SHADO residents are taking a night off to ice skate with their neighbors, but not after first learning the importance of alternative transportation from their Eco Reps. The group will travel to the rink via bus, foot, and/or bike and utilize their city's great sustainable transportation routes while also having fun!

January 2011
Plastic Bag Recycling: Eco Reps set up a box to collect plastic bags. When full, they collect the bags and take them to plastic bag recycling systems around Bellingham, promoting less plastic waste and hopefully more reusable bag usage.Delta Project Runway: Delta put on a Project Runway competition where all the residents had to create their own runway designs out of recycled material to promote reusing your resources and still staying fashionable.

Video: Eco Reps along with residents created a short video with about water use and what residents can do to reduce their water consumption.