Veggie burgers, live bands and zero waste.
UT held its annual “Sustainability Day Celebration” on Thursday from 3 – 8 p.m. as a part of the campus-wide “Sustainability Week.”
The event hosted a number of student-run and local organizations that set up booths to hand out flyers and pamphlets exhibiting environmental campaigns ranging from recycling awareness to energy-saving programs.
Elizabeth Boehmer, outreach coordinator for the Office of Sustainability, said the university decided to try something different this year by hosting the event in the Presidential Courtyard and including live bands, such as Staying for the Weekend, Griff’s Room Band and Tame and the Strange, to play a “Green Concert.”
Boehmer said she thought these changes brought a new energy and excitement to the event.
“It’s been a really a good day,” Boehmer said. “I’m pretty excited to hear all the bands play. They’re all pretty good, so it should be fun.”
Boehmer said the Office of Sustainability organizes the majority of the event but also has help from campus organizations like Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville and Eco-Vols.
“There are a bunch of great community organizations that are here talking to students about getting more involved,” Boehmer said, stating that she was thankful for all the students who came out and practice sustainability in their everyday lives.
John Brown, marketing coordinator for UT Recycling, said his organization participated in Sustainability Day to educate students on everything from gameday recycling to an upcoming art show UT Recycling is working on, all in the hopes of promoting the idea of “zero waste.”
Brown said he enjoyed being a part of the event and being surrounded by people who are part of the initiative to improve the environment.
“I’ve loved it, it’s been great,” he said. “I’ve been able to meet a lot of great people.”
Logan Terheggen, co-president of S.P.E.A.K. and junior in chemical engineering, said the organization wanted to give back to the community and promote equality of food for everyone. S.P.E.A.K. members provided freshly made organic veggie burgers and refreshments along with information about how students can become more environmentally conscious.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Terheggen said. “The weather’s been perfect, the people have been great and the band’s been pretty great. … So, I can’t complain at all.”
Sustainability Week concluded Friday. The Office of Sustainability will be hosting “Earth Month” in April.
