Changes to EcoJug program as students' interests shift
Western Michigan University students now have more options
for free, sustainable tools. Here’s a look at why the shift is happening now.
for free, sustainable tools. Here’s a look at why the shift is happening now.
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Photo: Zoe Jackson
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By Zoe Jackson
Western Michigan University’s EcoSwag program, formerly the EcoJug program, is set to offer reusable bamboo cutlery and tote bags because of budget and changing student needs, said Jeff Spoelstra, director for the Office for Sustainability.
“I wish it were different, but I have to watch the numbers. Spending less is part of the motivation, but frankly… if you're walking around campus - who’s carrying these things (EcoJugs). You’re not going to find too many,” Spoelstra said.
Since the EcoJug program began in the 2008-2009 school year, over 25,000 beverage containers have been given to students at various events. As time passed, Spoelstra said he saw fewer and fewer Office-provided mugs and jugs. At first, it was troubling, but after paying closer attention, Spoelstra said he began to notice that students use a variety of containers on campus.
“I think that actually is representative of a culture change, that’s slow, but happening,” Spoelstra said.
Another reason for the Office for Sustainability’s change to the program was because of the budget, said Spoelstra. Although the containers were high quality, with a recyclable stainless steel bottle and recyclable plastic cap, they were expensive, at about $4 per unit, Spoelstra said.
“When the EcoJug program was at its largest, probably 2010, we spent like $25,000 on coffee mugs,” Spoelstra said. “That’s a lot.”
The Office began formally moving away from the EcoJug program, as enrollment at WMU, and consequently the Student Assessment Fee, shrunk. With a tighter budget, the Office had to change the program — or end it.
About a year and a half ago, Spoelstra began researching the sustainability needs and wants of students. First, he turned to students within the Office, staff members and WeSustain interns like Chase Latka, a WMU junior studying gender and women’s studies and sustainability, who is spending a semester learning about various aspects of sustainability.
Latka said she is personally invested in minimizing her daily plastic use and does so by using beeswax wraps for her sandwiches, canning jars for her salads and reusable grocery store bags for her shopping. However, Latka said she is aware of the barriers to sustainability that college students may experience.
“The thing about sustainability is that it’s a life change, you just kind of have to do it. So I think having these free options on campus are a really good way to get your feet wet too, because if you can’t afford reusable things, or if you don’t want to put your money toward it, then it’s a good option,” Latka said.
Student employees like Latka were the first members of the WMU community who were tapped to identify their preferred sustainable options. After consulting with those students, the Office posted a poll on social media to gather opinions from the student body. Reusable bamboo cutlery and tote bags were the clear winners, Spoelstra said.
“I think both of those options are a really good choice because most people don’t have reusable silverware, and to get it for free is like amazing, because normally on Amazon even, they’re like $14 for a set of reusable silverware,” Latka said. “And a reusable bag, I mean anyone can use, and both things are not difficult to use either.”
Spoelstra said he is passionate about making sure the swag students are offered is useful, welcoming and good for the planet. This year, the Office will spend significantly less, and can use the savings for other initiatives such as the Bike Hub, where students can fix their bicycles for free.
“I believe the (EcoSwag) program itself sends the signal that’s different than the signal you get when you walk through Bronco Bash. Welcome to campus, here’s some plastic crap that you’re going to throw away,” Spoelstra said. “That frustrates me… so for 10 years we’ve been sending the signal of welcome to campus, there are people here who think about and care about planetary challenges worth solving.”
Danialle Baumgardner, a senior studying product design, has been working to lessen her plastic usage at home and is learning about plastic alternatives in the classroom. Baumgardner said she believes the EcoSwag program sets a great precedent for WMU as a university.
“A lot of students either don’t have the money to go out and buy the reusable stuff, or it’s just not present in their daily lives, so they’re not really going after it,” Baumgardner said. “I feel like if it was given to students, they would be more willing to take part in the whole initiative of reducing waste and reusing things.”
The new EcoSwag items were made available for students at the Office of Sustainability in October 2018.
Western Michigan University’s EcoSwag program, formerly the EcoJug program, is set to offer reusable bamboo cutlery and tote bags because of budget and changing student needs, said Jeff Spoelstra, director for the Office for Sustainability.
“I wish it were different, but I have to watch the numbers. Spending less is part of the motivation, but frankly… if you're walking around campus - who’s carrying these things (EcoJugs). You’re not going to find too many,” Spoelstra said.
Since the EcoJug program began in the 2008-2009 school year, over 25,000 beverage containers have been given to students at various events. As time passed, Spoelstra said he saw fewer and fewer Office-provided mugs and jugs. At first, it was troubling, but after paying closer attention, Spoelstra said he began to notice that students use a variety of containers on campus.
“I think that actually is representative of a culture change, that’s slow, but happening,” Spoelstra said.
Another reason for the Office for Sustainability’s change to the program was because of the budget, said Spoelstra. Although the containers were high quality, with a recyclable stainless steel bottle and recyclable plastic cap, they were expensive, at about $4 per unit, Spoelstra said.
“When the EcoJug program was at its largest, probably 2010, we spent like $25,000 on coffee mugs,” Spoelstra said. “That’s a lot.”
The Office began formally moving away from the EcoJug program, as enrollment at WMU, and consequently the Student Assessment Fee, shrunk. With a tighter budget, the Office had to change the program — or end it.
About a year and a half ago, Spoelstra began researching the sustainability needs and wants of students. First, he turned to students within the Office, staff members and WeSustain interns like Chase Latka, a WMU junior studying gender and women’s studies and sustainability, who is spending a semester learning about various aspects of sustainability.
Latka said she is personally invested in minimizing her daily plastic use and does so by using beeswax wraps for her sandwiches, canning jars for her salads and reusable grocery store bags for her shopping. However, Latka said she is aware of the barriers to sustainability that college students may experience.
“The thing about sustainability is that it’s a life change, you just kind of have to do it. So I think having these free options on campus are a really good way to get your feet wet too, because if you can’t afford reusable things, or if you don’t want to put your money toward it, then it’s a good option,” Latka said.
Student employees like Latka were the first members of the WMU community who were tapped to identify their preferred sustainable options. After consulting with those students, the Office posted a poll on social media to gather opinions from the student body. Reusable bamboo cutlery and tote bags were the clear winners, Spoelstra said.
“I think both of those options are a really good choice because most people don’t have reusable silverware, and to get it for free is like amazing, because normally on Amazon even, they’re like $14 for a set of reusable silverware,” Latka said. “And a reusable bag, I mean anyone can use, and both things are not difficult to use either.”
Spoelstra said he is passionate about making sure the swag students are offered is useful, welcoming and good for the planet. This year, the Office will spend significantly less, and can use the savings for other initiatives such as the Bike Hub, where students can fix their bicycles for free.
“I believe the (EcoSwag) program itself sends the signal that’s different than the signal you get when you walk through Bronco Bash. Welcome to campus, here’s some plastic crap that you’re going to throw away,” Spoelstra said. “That frustrates me… so for 10 years we’ve been sending the signal of welcome to campus, there are people here who think about and care about planetary challenges worth solving.”
Danialle Baumgardner, a senior studying product design, has been working to lessen her plastic usage at home and is learning about plastic alternatives in the classroom. Baumgardner said she believes the EcoSwag program sets a great precedent for WMU as a university.
“A lot of students either don’t have the money to go out and buy the reusable stuff, or it’s just not present in their daily lives, so they’re not really going after it,” Baumgardner said. “I feel like if it was given to students, they would be more willing to take part in the whole initiative of reducing waste and reusing things.”
The new EcoSwag items were made available for students at the Office of Sustainability in October 2018.