©2009 NCSU Student Media
Earth Day celebrations were in full swing in the Brickyard Wednesday . Vendors and information booths provided students with information about how to live more sustainably, hybrid cars sat in front of the Atrium for people to inspect, local vendors from the Farmer’s Market sold their produce and other goods in front of the library and the Friends of the Library sold used books.
Raleigh Recycles and N.C. State Recycles set up tables to educate students about ways to reduce waste and increase recycling, incorporating games and giveaways into their presentation.
Students were pleased with the turnout and thought the event was a great way to raise awareness about environmental sustainability.
Tim Trickel, a junior in nuclear engineering, said he was impressed with the number of vendors and the presence of the Farmer’s Market.
“I’ll definitely check it out. Maybe I’ll buy something,” Trickel said.
Sarah Peterson, a sophomore in biomedical engineering and textile engineering, sold fake solar panels and drinks to raise money for projects done by Engineers without Borders.
“We’re working on two water purification systems, one in Bolivia and one in Sierra Leone,” she said. “We’re also working on a wind/solar hybrid windmill for Sierra Leone.”
Peterson said she saw the Earth Day festivities as a way to promote sustainability.
“It’s important to take care of the place we live,” Peterson said.
The vendors included Jim Ammons, a representative from Staples who promoted the eco-friendly products now offered by Staples, including green-seal certified chemicals and commercially compostable break room products.
Representatives from Staples passed out samples of their compostable cups, plates, and silverware, as well as canvas tote bags.
Ammons said he was pleased with the student interest in Staples’ products.
“There have been a lot of questions about the products. Students are surprised that they can be composted,” Ammons said. “This is our second time coming to the Brickyard for Earth Day. There’s always good turnout, so we should be here next year.”
Students showed the most interest in the vendors from the Raleigh Farmer’s Market.
Sam Lee, a senior in civil engineering, said he saw the importance of students being involved in sustainability on campus and in the community.
“I think it’s fantastic to have people from the Farmer’s Market here, especially since it was a student initiative,” Lee said.
Amanda Burgess, a freshman in First Year College, bought strawberries and spinach from the vendors from Wise Farms.
“I love it,” Burgess said. “We should have local food all the time. It’s lacking in my diet at school.”
Eric Ballard, a senior in agriculture communication, invited the vendors from the Farmer’s Market.
“This is a way for vendors to have a profitable venue and to educate students about local agriculture,” Ballard said. “Education is the most important part.”
Ariel Fugate, a freshman in wildlife management, said she was also involved in the process of bringing the Farmer’s Market to the Brickyard.
“It’s been successful so far. We’ve had lots of faculty, and some students.” Fugate said. “It may be a weekly thing in the fall.”
Helen Wise and Gary Wise, from Wise Farms in Mount Olive, N.C., sold strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, radishes and other produce in the Brickyard. Overall, they said they felt the sale went well.
“This helps us and them. It’s also good advertisement,” Wise said. “If it works out, maybe we can do it again.”
Another noticeable feature of the Earth Day festivities was the Friends of the Library used book sale, held under the large white tent in the Brickyard. Ethan Margolis, a senior in history, browsed the books in the sale.
“I love book sales. I always come to them, even if I’m not looking for anything specific,” he said. “It’s awesome that there’s so much going on for Earth Day.”
Hybrid cars were also a part of the Earth Day display. Abram Harder, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, explained his upcoming project to convert a Saturn Vue into a hybrid similar to the Chevy Volt to the people in attendance.
“I’m here to promote hybrid cars and recruit people to work on the car,” he said.
Students were enthusiastic about the Earth Day festivities.
“I love Earth Day,” Laura Whisneant, a freshman in animal science, said. “It’s a really good way to raise awareness and get everyone involved.”
Whisneat highlighted the importance of showing people ways they can be environmentally friendly, such as the use of compostable products.
Rushil Patel, a junior in biochemistry, expressed similar sentiments.
“It’s important to be aware of the environment and ways to be more concerned with our impact on the world,” Patel said.