News

Green Tip

Packing up and moving out? What will you do with your old futon frame? A rug that won’t fit in the car? Don’t ditch it, donate it! Almost all appliances, clothes, books, and more, are accepted as donations in residence halls. Avoid adding to landfills and let your used items become someone else’s treasure. Check out the “zero-waste” move-out guide for more information. Off-campus students can recycle many items at the Orange County Solid Waste Recycling Center on Eubanks Road, or contact Orange County Solid Waste Management to set up a collection area in your community.

University Signs Real Food Campus Commitment

Thanks to the efforts of the Fair, Local, Organic Food (FLO) student organization, Carolina Dining Services (CDS), and the Food for All steering committee, UNC has officially committed to increase fair, local, or organic food options in dining halls. Twenty percent of all food purchases will be local, humanely raised, ecologically sound, or fair, by 2020. Already recognized nationwide as a campus leader in the amount of Real Food served, the pledge will take Carolina one step further in providing healthy and fair food. Read more »

In other food news, Top of Lenoir, Rams Head Dining Hall, and 1.5.0. were recently awarded Green Restaurant Certification (GRA). The certification reflects CDS efforts in compostable and reusable packaging, organic and sustainable food options, and energy and water efficiency. Read more »

NC Botanical Garden Lunch Time Talk Series

The North Carolina Botanical Garden will host three lunch time talks at Reeves Auditorium. Tomorrow, May 5, Cindy Shea, director of Sustainability @ UNC, discusses sustainable features and building design in the Education Center. On Thursday, May 12, Alan Weakly, director on the UNC Herbarium explores our relationship with plants with samplings of plant-based foods from around the world. And on Thursday, May 19, Dot Wilbur Brooks, artist and NCBG staff emeritus, shares her favorite NPR Wednesday horticulture commentaries. The talks are free, registration required, and continue through the summer. See the full calendar here.

Institute for the Environment Professors Receive Development Awards

Institute professors Jordan Kern, Jared Bowden, and Jon Duncan were each recently awarded $7,500 in Junior Faculty development funding to focus on developing a new energy course, furthering climate change research, and conducting water quality monitoring. Read more »

Apply to Attend the Appalachian Energy Summit, July 18-20

The 2016 Appalachian Energy Summit (AES) is the fifth annual gathering for the University of North Carolina Energy Leadership Challenge. Campus leaders from North Carolina’s 17 public institutions, six private university partners, and select leaders from other states will gather at Appalachian State to focus on energy policies and practices. North Carolina students from all disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Read more »