.
May 21, 2009
Sophomore Marc LePrince participates in the recycle toss at the Environmental Club booth. Students tried to throw recyclables into the correct holes to teach proper recycling.
By Jonathan Pham
ASB members, student volunteers, and businesses attended and displayed booths for the second annual Ecology Fair hosted by ASB. Although the number of businesses which participated decreased, the total number of booths at the fair on May 15 increased. Money was only spent on buying and designing display boards that were featured at the booths. Food, such as cotton candy and popcorn, were already in stock. Getting businesses to participate in the ecology fair was free as well. ASB members were tasked with calling and emailing businesses, trying to get them to come out. The City of Fremont, Club Sport, and the Crossroads Trading Company all had booths.
“We participated because it was a good advertising opportunity,” Crossroads booth worker Linda Phavanant said.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 11.9 million tons of textiles were generated in 2007, or 4.7 percent of total municipal solid waste generation.
“Because we buy or exchange for old and used clothes, we cut down on clothing waste,” Crossroads booth worker Adriane Farmwald said. “People can also buy used clothes for cheap prices.”
The Culinary Arts Club and Environmental Club had booths. The Culinary Arts booth educated students about the benefits of shopping at farmer’s markets.
“If you have the power to make a choice, make the right one,” junior Nicole Pham said. “Farmer’s markets are accessible nearly every day of the week in Fremont, and people should make an effort to go out and see what they are all about.”
The Environmental Club took students on a garden tour, calculated carbon foot prints, and had a recycling toss. ASB deemed the Environmental Club booth the best at the fair and they were awarded a $50 prize.
