Read to learn about worldwide climate news! This month, we feature news on hurricanes, COVID, and the New York Marches for Action!
Did you know that the Resin Identification Codes (1-7) on plastic packaging are a tactic by plastic companies to appear eco-friendly? Learn how it can mislead consumers like you!
Want to know what happened to all the trees near Tron? Read this article to find out!
What do Ecoleaders do? Learn about our efforts to enhance school sustainability and how we represent the student voice against climate change Each month, discover our recent initiatives and future plans!
Each month, we'll answer NMH community questions and showcase a sustainability role model at NMH!
by Jasper Neff
Hurricane season is upon us But what is causing this increase in the frequency and intensity of storms like Hurricane Lee? Well, you can blame climate change Due to higher ocean temperatures, hurricanes are gaining wind speed and strength faster than ever as they travel over warm seas. This rapid intensification means more devastation for coastal communities ill-equipped to protect themselves from such storms and small islands that bear a disproportionate burden of damage costs compared to larger countries like the U.S. and China, which are also the primary contributors to the emissions heating our Earth.
Climate change and the global health crisis are interconnected With millions dying each year from air pollution and a rapid increase in waterborne diseases due to excess flooding and warmer temperatures, global warming directly affects human health As habitats with favorable living conditions shrink, humans and wildlife come into closer contact, facilitating the spread of vector-borne diseases and viruses like COVID-19.
Tens of thousands of protestors marched through the streets of New York City on September 17-18th, following a series of protests in other countries such as Germany, South Korea, and India This NYC-based protest aimed to halt new oil and gas drilling, delivering a message specifically to President Biden and other U.N. leaders, asserting that their actions against climate change are insufficient to mitigate global temperature rise and prevent a world catastrophe. If the president and others seek the people's support, they must heed our voices.
Have you ever noticed the difference between the green recycling symbol on trash cans and the Resin Identification Code (RIC) with numbers from 1 through 7 that you find on every plastic package?
by Kitty Zhang
They are actually not the same! In 1970, Gary Anderson, a senior at the University of Southern California, crafted the original recycling symbol as an entry in a nationwide competition held by the Container Corporation of America. Each of the three arrows in his design symbolized a vital step in a three-step recycling process: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The first step involved the collection and cleaning of recyclable materials at local centers. The second arrow represents how these materials were transformed into new products for commercial sale or retail. Finally, the third step was the purchase of items made from recycled materials, completing the recycling loop
On the other hand, the RIC symbol, featuring numbers 1 through 7, tells a different story This symbol was developed by the Plastics Industry Association to promote recycling as a solution to environmental problems in the 1980s These codes, created by plastic companies to efficiently sort plastics, aimed to make their packaging appear environmentally friendly, encouraging consumers to believe they were all recyclable This myth led to misconceptions about plastic recycling because only 9% of all plastic waste ever created has been recycled, with most belonging to just two of the seven resin categories! You can see how the misleading "chasing arrows" were part of these marketing tactics
So, why do we continue to use the RIC with the chasing arrows if it doesn't necessarily mean an item is recyclable? The answer is simple: It's the law. Thirty-six states still require the use of the RIC on specific plastic containers, such as in Mass General Law Chapter 94 Section 323A, which specifies, "Such code shall consist of a number placed within a triangle of arrows and letters placed below the triangle of arrows." So it is important for us to learn and educate others on how to recycle correctly.
Types #1 and #2 (PET and HDPE) RIC exhibit relatively high recycling rates, approximately ranging from 20% to 30% globally #5, known as Polypropylene, also sees recycling rates of roughly 3% to 5%, particularly when it comes to industrial waste. The other types are technically recyclable, but it's usually not commercially viable to do so because it's more cost-effective to manufacture new plastic rather than recycle the old material. Furthermore, each county, state, or country maintains distinct recycling requirements For instance, in Franklin County, you may be surprised to learn that shredded paper and hinged containers are not recyclable
In conclusion, it is important to remember that the Resin Identification Code on your plastics does not determine whether an item is recyclable. Stick to recycling simple plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs. When in doubt, you can scan the QR code below to access the Massachusetts state recycling website that tells you where to dispose of each specific item Let's make informed choices and strive for a greener, more sustainable future!
Have you noticed that the apple orchard farm beside Tron is now empty? All the trees were removed this summer due to soil contamination from the 20th-century pesticides that had lead arsenic, which can cause severe health risks when exposed to living things.
Since the 1920s, this apple orchard thrived in the 3 5 acre area near Tron During this period, lead arsenate, an odorless, heavy, white powder pesticide, was widely employed for pest control It worked really well; NMH yielded around 100,000 apples annually, harvested by the orchard faculty and approximately 30 work-job students per term Additionally, the school produced roughly 2,000 gallons of cider for dining hall beverages Students contributed to orchard maintenance tasks such as pruning, limb removal, gathering fallen apples, and mowing for those over 18 years old
Over time, this pesticide decomposed into lead and arsenic and settled into the topsoil. These heavy metals adhere to soil particles and cause serious health issues when disturbed or ingested. Arsenic, a silver-gray or white metallic solid, is used as an alloying agent for heavy metals and can cause reproductive damage. Lead, a heavy, soft, silvery-gray metal, is utilized in ammunition production, storage batteries, and cable coverings, potentially leading to headaches, memory reduction, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and irritability. When humans inhale lead arsenic toxins, long-term exposure increases the risk of high blood pressure, cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, lower IQ, and stunted growth in kids Moreover, soil pollution reduces the number and variety of beneficial microorganisms in the soil that help with the nutrient cycle and carbon cycle Chemical pollutants in soil may also become a source of pollution for groundwater through the leaching of contaminants
To address this issue, many farms nationwide choose to bury contaminated soil deep underground However, this isn't environmentally friendly and may lead to soil erosion and chemical runoff in the future At NMH, a different approach is taken – planting grass to try to mitigate and absorb arsenic and lead from the soil This is still an ongoing battle that NMH and farms worldwide are facing. In the pursuit of sustainable solutions, instead of burying these toxic soils in the ground, every farm should try to restore them back to healthy soils. Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing efforts to combat soil contamination and promote environmental stewardship at NMH!
In August and September, the Ecoleaders kicked off the school year with a flurry of activities During the first days back, we dedicated our time to student leadership training and Ecoleader meetings to establish group norms, expectations, and goals for the semester We also set up recycling stations and donation boxes in every dorm during orientation to promote responsible disposal Moreover, Ecoleaders presented at dorm meetings and morning meetings to promote eco-conscious living at NMH
One of our most pivotal meetings this month was with Peter Sniffen, NMH’s new sustainability coordinator. We discussed our ambitions for how the Ecoleaders can collaborate with the administration to improve NMH’s environmental initiatives. In return, Pete provided us with comprehensive insights into NMH’s sustainability systems and the school’s climate action plan moving forward. The Ecoleaders aim to be fully informed on these topics to serve as a resource for students. We also plan to use this knowledge of NMH sustainability to determine which of our initiatives need to be implemented and prioritized. One of our ideas is to create an all-encompassing information packet covering everything related to sustainability at NMH This educational tool will soon be accessible to the school community, prospective students, and everyone in between
Recently, Ecoleaders created colorful posters, informational signs, registration sheets, and more to generate excitement for the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) at the club fair We are committed to ensuring that students have ample opportunities to engage in climate activism on campus, and much of our work this month included planning upcoming meetings for CJC, a club open to any student interested in combating environmental issues
A few final September projects from the Ecoleaders include helping with green sales, volunteering to sort recycling and compost at the Franklin Country Fair, and launching this newsletter!
Overall, most of our work in these first few weeks has involved brainstorming and scheduling major events for this year We can’t wait to share with you all the exciting things we have planned, so stay tuned for upcoming projects and activities!
It is a student leadership position where we promote sustainable practices on campus by educating and organizing activities for the NMH community Our group consists of eleven members: Maya Baudrand, Payton Bonang, Priya Chatterjee, Sailor Cohen, Kelvin Cheung, Wilson Cheung, Jane Namusisi, Jasper Neff, Charlotte Relyea-Strawn, Amy Vongvasin, and Kitty Zhang, all led by the wonderful Skylar McAlpin.
You can reach out to our faculty leader Skylar McAlpin at smcalpin@nmhschool org or to ecoleaders@nmhschool org
Join the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) that’s run by the Ecoleaders to regularly meet with peers of similar interests in the environment. There also are events such as the Green Cup Challenge to get the whole student body involved in sustainable practices. You also can read our monthly newsletter (which you currently are!!) and reach out to us with any questions or ideas you have.
YES! Make sure you check the weekend scoop for any weekend activities and get excited for bigger events like the Green Cup Challenge and sustainable fashion show!
Grace is the new dorm head of Mack and started the year off strong by actively teaching dorm residents how to properly recycle She understands that as individuals, we can't make too much of an impact and that it's big corporations that could make significant changes. However, her emphasis is on the fact that students at NMH can one day become CEOs of such corporations. By instilling responsibility for caring for the environment in them at NMH, there is real hope for the planet's future through the significant change NMH students will be able to create.
Grace also emphasizes the importance of approaching environmental efforts with curiosity rather than judgment Students should feel comfortable asking if something is recyclable without fearing judgment for not knowing Recycling guidelines not only vary by country but also by town and city Grace wants people to understand the significance of recycling properly. Putting garbage in recycling bins because you're unsure where it belongs isn't helping the environment.
Thank you to Grace for helping to create an educational environment around recycling! If you've noticed any community member like Grace who is putting in extra effort to take care of our environment, please contact the Ecoleaders so they can be recognized in the sustainability spotlight
