OVER THE EDGE
November 7-21, 2007

Early September in the Ozalinka Valley near McBride, B.C.

>>The Green Front

Becky Burxrup, CONTRIBUTER

Smyth on Sustainability

JENNIFER McLeENNAN AND JESSICA
Scumir, CoLumnisTs

This week, we on the green front sat down
with Danielle Smyth, a grad student complet-
ing her thesis on the green initiatives here at
UNBC. Emerging from the focus groups re-
ported on last issue, one of the key concerns
was that of waste. With a background in bio-
solids recycling, Danielle was specifically re-
cruited by the university to focus her attention
on issues of sustainability in the university
residence and on food services. She can pro-
vide some valuable insights into waste issues.
So far, she has identified several barriers to
sustainable practice, which is what our discus-
sion focused on. Three key barriers have been
identified so far: price points for the cafeteria,
ease of accessibility for students and lack of
organization and communication.

The cafeteria comes up continuously when
issues of food related sustainability are dis-
cussed at UNBC. Students, faculty and focus
groups have expressed concerns with Styro-

foam waste and availability of local/organic
products at affordable prices. Danielle has
discussed these issues with the Food Services
Manager; although employed by EuroServices
(the corporation who owns the cafeteria fran-
chise), she found the manager to be open to
possibilities for sustainability. On both points
of contention (Styrofoam and local products)
the rationale behind delays in meeting student
concems is hooked to the almighty buck, or
in this case, cent. The cafeteria is currently
working on phasing Styrofoam out in favor of
recyclable cardboard plates; however, Styro-
foam plates cost 3 cents each, instead of 11
cents for the more eco-friendly alternative.
The possibility of using only ceramic, wash-
able plates was implemented at the start of the
semester: unfortunately 900 plates went miss-
ing in three weeks, discouraging any hope that
this could be a viable option. The cafeteria
manager has expressed interest in finding the
most workable option for sustainability, This
is a decided step in the right direction.

In order for the green initiative to develop
and grow within UNBC, the largest group of
actors must be mobilized: the students. As
roughly 20% of UNBC student live in resi-
dence, a hefty impact can be made by ad-
dressing sustainability in residence buildings.
Danielle is focusing a substantial part of her
energies on this issue. Meeting with the resi-
dence manager, she discovered that the first
step being taken is to establish more exten-
sive recycling in residence. Accessible bins
for recycling bottles and cans are needed. It
is hoped that this step will make it easier for
students who already recycle and encourage
those who don’t. For the most part, people
take the easiest road. If sustainable practices
aren’t readily available to students, they will
not go out of their way. Therefore, it is im-
perative that should UNBC intend to become
green, steps are made as simple as possible
for students.

A key barrier to any initiative involving
multiple actors is that of organization and

communication. Danielle has determined that
in order for the green initiative to have im-
pact, cooperation between food services, fa-
cilities, the students and faculty is vital. So far
in her research, Danielle has been met with
support from all sides; each set of actors has
expressed interest in the green initiative. Why
then is action not already being taken? With
so many groups and individuals involved, a
cohesive plan of action must be developed. It
is hoped that the focus groups, and increased
attention to policy will have the desired effect
of raising awareness, attracting resources and
creating positive change.

As students of this university are we going
to take steps to effect change, or will we be
impassive? Will we take action to demand a
greener space in a world becoming increas-
ingly aware of human impact or will we con-
tinue to be unconsciously wasteful? Our col-
lective voice is loud — speak to managers of
residences and the cafeteria, engage in focus
groups and walk the extra meter to recycle.