Probably the most popular destination on campus is the Rec Center. It’s the perfect place to play a round of pool, climb with your roommates, and get a great workout after a long day of classes. While you’re working up a sweat, it’s great to know the Rec is working just as hard to make your workout sustainable.
Michelle Villasenor, the Campus Recreation Sustainability Student Programmer, and Ryan Walsh-General, the Recreation Coordinator, manage and run sustainable programs for the Rec Center. Villasenor and Walsh-General build on the Center’s green certification status by regularly updating the staff and taking on new projects.
Two of their recent projects focus on recycling and composting waste destined for landfills. The Paper Towel Compost Program collects and composts paper towels used in the bathrooms. And a new TerraCycle account allows the Rec Center to ship difficult to recycle waste to a recycling facility. TerraCycle is an amazing company that recycles a wide variety of products destined for landfills. Next steps for Villesenor and Walsh-General? Labelled collection bins near the entrance and hallways. Look for them coming soon!
Here are the Products accepted by the Rec Center for the TeraCycle Program:
Campus Rec Center efforts are part of a growing zero waste movement in Sonoma County. Last year, a Zero Waste Task Force urged cities, towns and the County of Sonoma to adopt a resolution to achieve zero waste by 2030. Check it out for some practical steps that cities can take to reduce waste.
Learn More and Get Involved
- Look for the Rec Center during Earth Week, April 22nd – 26th. They will be tabling and hosting a number of events for students and faculty.
- Visit the Sustainable Rec Center website
- Contact Michelle Villasenor, Campus Recreation Sustainability Student Programmer
- Sonoma County Zero Waste Task Force Resolution