Spring Break
Going Green for a Day: URI students celebrate Earth Day in Memorial Union
Betsy Cohen
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
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The celebration offered students information about how they could become environmentally friendly at the University of Rhode Island and offered eco-friendly products for sale.
Because of light rain showers in the morning, the event was moved from the Quadrangle to the Memorial Union Ballroom. Students, professors and the general public crowded into the packed room.
For freshman Allison DuBois, the URI Horticulture Club plants and the clothing-swap booths interested her the most.
"There's really cute clothes here!" the music major said. "I would love this if it were in my size."
According to Jennifer Scott, owner of Jasmine and Ivy, NASA published a study recommending homeowners place one plant every 100 feet to purify the air.
"We came here today to let people know that plants reduce toxins in the home," Scott said.
URI senior Emily Moore said she enjoyed the diversity and awareness the event brought to the campus each year.
"I think that it's a really good event," the art history and classics major said. "I've seen it get bigger over the past four years and it's become a part of the campus."
GreenEnvy, an Eco-Boutique based in Newport, had unique items for sale. Solar-powered backpacks and purses capable of charging your cell phone, recycled billboards that had been turned into CD cases and purses, journals from bamboo plants and colorful fish ornaments made from recycled plastic bottles were just a few of their eco-friendly goods.
Other booths promoting organic and environmentally friendly products included the URI recycling group and the Fashion Merchandising Society.
Nancy Hawksley, URI recycling coordinator, provided detailed information for each product on her table and invited students to ask questions about what they were made of.
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