University Park, Pa. — It’s Earth Week, and everywhere you look Penn State is going green. The University’s My 20 campaign is in full swing with many earth-friendly events and opportunities.
The My 20 campaign is a program that challenges people to adopt at least one environmentally friendly practice during Earth Week (April 20 – 26). The goal is to reduce the University’s energy use by 20 percent and show Penn Staters how it’s easy to be environmentally conscious.
Among the many Earth Week events, activities and happenings, CATA is offering free bus rides to Penn State employees this week as a part of the My 20 Challenge. Faculty and staff just need to show the bus driver their parking pass, and they can enjoying a free ride courtesy of CATA and the Office of Physical Plant.
To culminate Earth Week and the work week, community members might try riding a bicycle to work or class. “Bike-to-Work Day” is being held on Friday, April 25 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join others on Locust Lane, between College Avenue and Calder Way in State College, to learn about local biking, get updated on new equipment or get a bike a tune up.
Some eateries at Penn State campuses are going green this week too. The Gazebo at Penn State Erie, The Behrend Campus and Tully’s at Penn State Berks will be piloting trayless operations this week. Recycled bags will be available to students at Bruno’s Café at Behrend, Tully’s, Metro Café at Penn State Greater Allegheny, and The Mill Café at Penn State Mont Alto. The cafes will also be removing bottled water from their coolers and handing out refillable water bottles.
To kick off Earth Week, volunteers gathered to help clean the Penn State watershed area as a part of “Watershed Cleanup Day” on April 19. The Clearwater Conservancy and Office of Physical Plant organized the event to remove litter from the University’s watershed property between the Sunset Park bike path and T.G.I. Friday’s Restaurant on North Atherton Street. Over the last 11 years, Watershed Cleanup Day volunteers have removed almost 1,400 tons of trash, with more than 1,100 of those tons removed in the last three years.
For more information on these events and the many more My 20 inspired events throughout the University, visit www.my20.psu.edu.