Greeks like to lead the way on social issues. Very soon, when you go to your nearest sorority, don’t be surprised if you are flushing a low-flow toilet. Likewise, at your next registered fraternity party, you might soon have the option to toss that plastic refuse from your hand into a spiffy recycling bin.
Why is this happening, you ask? Simple: because greeks at RPI have universally agreed to help save the environment. We also plan to save a lot of money doing it. We have decided to call this movement “Green Greeks.” Right now, Phi Kappa Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha, and Delta Tau Delta are leading the way as case studies for the project. These four houses have implemented the following initiatives: recycling (the usual bottles and paper stuff, but additionally fryer oil, batteries, and light bulbs), composting, greener cleaning (supplies with no toxic chemicals), using compact fluorescent light bulbs, buying food from the Farmer’s Market, installing low-flow showers and toilets, and more. As for financial savings, Pikes now saves $230 a month on utility bills after replacing 100 60-watt incandescent bulbs with 13-watt CFL bulbs and downgrading dumpster size due to a new recycling program.
Given the success of these initiatives, these houses have decided that we should share a good thing for our collective benefit; as a result, all houses will soon be on equal footing, sharing environmental knowledge and best practices with one another. Our ultimate goal is to unite all of greek life at RPI under a universal sustainability program. Working with a professionally accredited sustainability consultant, the four leading houses are developing a concrete method of achieving this mission. First, they are creating a comprehensive resource package with exhaustive research about products, contractors, contacts, and methods that will be distributed for use by each house. They are also providing workshops for the houses to address individual development. Finally, they have created an incentive system by working with Dean of Students Mark Smith. The Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the Alumni Inter-greek Council have formally given the houses full backing, so it is up to everyone to spread the word and ground swell student support for sustainability on campus. Expect to see Green Greeks in place next fall.
We are supremely hoping that this project can also help to unite the greek community. We will continue to sustain this school through a lot more than just the best parties. If you have any ideas or would like to give us any input in to this process, please e-mail huntb@rpi.edu.
Editor’s Note: “Sustainability: Inside Scoop” and “Sustainability: Outside Scoop” are columns granted to the Student Sustainability Task Force by the Editorial Board to discuss issues of sustainability on the Rensselaer campus and around the nation.
