(Photo by: Cyrus Moffett)

Earth Day came about as a result of a burgeoning environmental movement in the United States and elsewhere during the 1960’s and 1970’s. “Earth Day was founded in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.” (USEPA) This day, while not as famous as Thanksgiving, still has staying power in terms of how well known it is.

During this particular month, JCCC is doing something of note to actively commemorate this Earth Day—setting up a plethora of bins. At certain points on campus, there are places where potentially recyclable materials can be deposited so that they can be reused in some fashion.

A variety of items can be recycled by JCCC. Some examples include “clothing, school or craft supplies”. The items should be in a decent enough state so that they could be reused. 

Krystal Anton, Zero Waste Coordinator for the JCCC Center for Sustainability, had some positive comments about the donation drive. “I think the drive is a little slower this year than last, but there’s always a bit of [a] rush at the end and we still have seven days left,” Anton said.

The Earth Days drive will have a definite impact for the school and planet.

“The Earth Days collection is more about providing education, community service, and easily accessible sustainable options to individuals for items that they want to get rid of,” Anton said. “By volume and by environmental impact, it’s a drop in the bucket.”

Lizzy Warner, sustainability intern, had her own comments concerning the Earth Days drive.

“We are accepting donations all through the month of April, so we have not had the chance yet to compare last year’s donations,” Warner said.

Although she is proud of the donations so far, Warner believes there can still be improvement.

“I definitely feel JCCC can do more for our month-long Earth Days celebration,” Warner said.  “But I think it would also be so amazing to see other clubs and organizations of JCCC to join into the movement of sustainability and organize their own events, or even have volunteers helping out with our already existing events.”