http://www.nwfecoleaders.org/forms/item/54/547

Campus

To reduce waste on campus

Communications/Marketing, Education, Financing

Yes, my goals were actually exceeded. The original plan was to give each incoming freshman a reusable mug to use throughout the school year. When I spoke with Student Development, they wanted to increase the project size and release them to leaders in the Lewis community as well to set an example for other students. Along with this, they opened up the opportunity to hand out leftover reusable mugs at the resource fair. This allowed me to get them to returning and transfer students.

Pounds of trash reduced

We do not have specific numbers for how many pounds of trash have been reduced yet. At the end of the year I would like to include that as an extension of the project by asking Sodexo to compare the difference of disposable cup sales from before and after the cups.

The planning for this project began in Fall of 2016 and the mugs were handed out as of August of 2017 during the Welcome Week ceremony for the incoming freshman.

The challenge for me in this project was the fact that I had to meet with people in a position of power within the community and convince them to invest in my project. Because I had no previous experience with this, I was able to get advice from my mentor in this project who helped me shape my proposal so that it sounded professional and would help convince Sodexo to join me in reducing waste on campus.

Faculty and staff were involved in purchasing the mugs. I met with Sodexo and Student Development to discuss the budget and approve the project. They were also responsible for ensuring this was able to happen on campus (applying the $0.25 discount and allowing me to hand out the mugs during Welcome Week). Students were also involved. Multiple student volunteers were able to help me hand out over 600 mugs during the Welcome Week ceremony and the Resource Fair.

Yes my project was funded by Sodexo and Student Development. Sodexo covered the cost of the mugs for incoming freshman and Student Development added in the extra funds to get cups for Lewis community leaders.

I included small slips of paper in each of the mugs so that students could see why we have them. I was also able to speak with many students directly about the purpose of the mugs at the Resource Fair. Along with this, flyers were hung up in the food service areas reminding students that they are able to use their mugs and get a discount for doing so.

Individual reflection, Other

Along with personally reflecting on the changes/additions I would like to make in the years to come. I have seen people with the mugs throughout the school and have asked them what they like about the mug and if they find it beneficial.

Revised goals, Communicated your project results through a blog or other media

I learned how to communicate with professionals in an adult and business like manner. I have also increased my ability to work out a budget/plan the budget usage for a major project.

I advise students to aim high even if they do not think it can be achieved. For much of this project I was nervous about the budget and whether or not it would be approved due to the cost of it. However, upon speaking with different faculty/staff involved, I found that many people were enthused about the project and actually wanted to extend the project further.

My plan is to continue the reusable cup program and eventually, if possible, extend the reusable cups to all drinks (not just hot beverages). Currently there are people who are willing to sustain the project at its current numbers. I would like to make it a yearly addition to campus, until these mugs are available to all incoming freshman and everyone at Lewis University has one available to them.