Lauren Barrett's Commitment to Sustainability

Lauren Barrett '09 was the 2008 Summer Recycling Intern. She organized for students to come back on campus by creating educational materials about sustainability, prepared our fleet of orange bikes for student use, and began organizing the events of the coming year such as Recyclemania.

As classes began, Lauren organized student Sustainability Representatives to represent  their residence halls. 

Lauren believes it is important for everyone to recognize sustainable living as a current local, national and global issue. Her means of 'spreading the word' is through education.

Lauren's excitement for sustainability follows a long-pursued passion for the outdoors. As a child, she was constantly outside. She attended the same outdoor experiential summer camp for twelve years and then became a counselor and a state-certified rock climbing instructor.

She reflects, "the foundation of my character was built on growing up outside and appreciating the earth for everything it yields, and everything we can give back to it. This is my opportunity to spread change through action, and I'm grateful that the Facilities Department could provide such an internship and that I've been able to work with students and administration throughout the summer and school year to create change in our local community. My great hope is that our small, local changes will create more environmentally-minded citizens throughout our nation, and help our global efforts in a reduction of waste and an increase in green-living."

Lauren's tips for others:

1. If you see a problem, let's tackle it together. If you feel like people are contaminating recycling bins in your dorm, then let's work on an education program that will inform people about the waste created through contamination. If you see orange bikes being abused or broken, contact me and let's work on a bike maintenance program so the bikes stay in tune for everyone on campus. If you want to help, let's find a program that fits your abilities and can help you create sustainable changes on campus.
   
2. Be mindful. Paying attention to our actions is the fastest way to success. Remember to take your reuseable bags to Giant, and remember to turn your lights off and shut your computer down when you leave your room. Remember to recycle and not contaminate, and remember that you are the force creating change here on campus, and you are the ones that will set the tone for sustainability on campus in the years to come. Let's do a good job today so that tomorrow has a goal, a direction and a passion for sustainable living.