List of 12 items.

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  Earth Week: Climate Action

  Pop up at Climate Action Subcommittee’s Climate & Law Discussion Panel with the Law Review on Wednesday, April 23 in the Weissman Room! This event will explore the latest climate issues through the lens of policy, including topics like the Paris Climate Accord and the Inflation Reduction Act. Whether it takes the form of a lecture, debate, or open discussion, it’s sure to be an insightful and engaging conversation.
• 

  Earth Week: Energy

  Come join the Energy Subcommittee for a fun Vegan Ice Cream and Waffle-Making Activity during Earth Week on Thursday, April 24! Students will have the opportunity to churn their own vegan ice cream by rolling and tossing around a ball or whip up fresh waffles. Come by Upper Heath to learn more about sustainable eating habits—while enjoying some tasty rewards!
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  Earth Week: Natural Environment

  The Natural Environment Subcommittee is also hosting several fascinating activities during Earth Week! Events may include a screening of Common Ground (how changing agricultural practices could potentially save the world) with vegan snacks, a hand-made cardboard cow piñata filled with red jello and candy, and even a virtual sustainable food cooking class with Mr. Czepiel! Make sure to sign up for the ongoing Plant Care Challenge! Remember, whoever is judged to have the plant with the greenest leaves and strongest branches on April 18th will be getting a $25 gift card to Bill's Ice Cream in New Haven, and second and third place will get a plant plush!. Keep an eye out for updates!
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  Earth Week: Waste

  Check out The Waste Subcommittee and Sustainable Arts Club’s incoming Earth Week Art Gallery Exhibition in the Keator Art Gallery from April 21 to April 25! This showcase will highlight student artwork focused on environmental themes like plastic pollution while encouraging the creative reuse of materials. All pieces will incorporate recycled elements such as plastic bottles or cardboard, demonstrating how art and sustainability can go hand in hand.

  To create, you can join the weekly art sessions every Wednesday during the Activities Block in T204, where materials and snacks will be provided. Already have a piece that fits the theme? Reach out to have your artwork included!

  Furthermore, look out for The Waste Subcommittee’s Zero Waste Week and a Donut Eating Contest on Wednesday, April 23!
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  Introducing the Earth Week Speaker

  We are thrilled to welcome our Earth Day guest speaker: Professor Jordan Peccia, a leading researcher and an environmental engineer at Yale University! His work explores the application of molecular biology to environmental engineering, the microbiome of the built environment and human health effects, and how genetic tools can be used to improve biofuel development.

  Alongside his team, he combines engineering fundamentals with advanced molecular biology techniques—including transcriptomics, metagenomics, and computational biology—to better understand and address environmental challenges. As a private consultant, he has advised the federal government and start-ups on photosynthetic biofuel production and microbial exposure in indoor environments. He’s also worked with federal, state, and local agencies to assess the health impacts of land-applied sewage sludge.

  We can’t wait to hear his insights on science and sustainability. Join us in welcoming him this Earth Week!
• 

  Sustainability Spirit Week!

  Show off your love for mother nature with earth/sustainability themed spirit dress ups. 
  Tuesday: Hat Day
  Wednesday: Thrift Day
  Thursday: Floral Print
  Friday: Green Out
• 

  Become a CEO

  Ever wondered what happens to the leftover food you scrape into the green trash can after lunch? Well, we have some exciting news! Hopkins is launching a new project aimed at enhancing waste management practices at Hopkins School!

  Currently, our waste management system faces several challenges, including high levels of contamination in recycling bins due to improper waste segregation by students and the suspension of composting activities behind the APAC building due to the prior construction. 

  To address these issues, Hopkins will be partnering with Blue Earth Compost and Quantum Biopower to ensure efficient collection and processing of organic waste, turning it into renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost, and re-establishing composting behind the APAC building to divert organic waste from landfills.

  In addition, over the next few months, the Sustainability Board will be hosting informational campaigns to raise awareness about proper waste disposal. Specifically, we hope to distribute materials outlining what can and cannot be recycled or composted, utilizing resources from Blue Earth Compost's guidelines as well as clearly label the recycling and compost bins on campus for easier identification. We also aim to establish student-led "Compost Enforcement Officers (CEOs)," who are responsible for monitoring waste disposal during each lunch wave. All of this requires your involvement and help! Please stay tuned for updates and opportunities to volunteer as a "CEO!"
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  Ongoing Projects

  The Waste Subcommittee is planning a Winter Clothing Swap in the coming weeks! Be on the lookout for donation bins that will be set up across campus! Waste is also teaming up with the Hopkins Sustainable Creations Club to host a Sustainable Art Showcase with Daystar, highlighting projects made from recycled or upcycled materials. Stay tuned for event details and submission opportunities!

  The Energy Subcommittee is working on adding more collection boxes for used batteries across campus. Currently, there’s one in the Math Department—don’t forget to drop off any old batteries you have! Keep an eye out for more collection locations in Thompson and Malone. 

  The Natural Environment Subcommittee is continuing its efforts to install bird-safe window stickers on the Athletics Center to prevent bird collisions. The Climate Action Subcommittee is planning another petition bake sale to raise awareness and promote sustainable initiatives. More details to come!

  
  

  Keep an eye out for our future events:

  • Clothing Swap with Waste Subcommittee
  • Pop up at Sustainable Art Showcase with Daystar
  • Put bird-safe window stickers up on Athletics Center to prevent bird collisions
  • Join Nature Walks with the Natural Environment Subcommittee while collecting photos from trail cameras 
  • More Petition Bake Sale with Climate Action Subcommittee
  • Counting the days till Earth Week! 
• 

  Winter Recap!

  The Energy Subcommittee hosted a week-long “Veganuary” challenge with Ms. Connelly to show how easy and fun sustainable eating can be! Each day, Ms. Connelly shared vlogs of her vegan meals, and the subcommittee sent emails with sustainable eating facts. There even is a custom “Let Cows µ” shirt. The challenge encouraged students to try plant-based eating, demonstrating how small changes can make a big difference for the environment.
  
  

  The Sustainability Board also partnered with SURE to host a Community Conversation in the Weissman room during the activity block to discuss and learn about environmental justice, the intersection of race and marginalized communities with air pollution, food insecurity, and more.
  
  

  Make sure to follow Natural Environment Subcommittee’s Instagram account, @hopnat_en, and check out on-campus TVs in Upper Heath, Thompson, and Baldwin to explore the latest trail camera photos of wildlife and native plants on campus! 
• 

  Ongoing Projects

  The Waste Subcommittee is also working on hosting a Winter Clothing Drive for Loaves and Fishes, a local New Haven Nonprofit Organization advocating for a more equitable and just food system in Greater New Haven. Look for donation bins that will be set up across campus!

  The Sustainability Board is also working with the Hopkins Sustainable Creations Club to host a Sustainable Art Showcase with Daystar. This event will highlight creative projects made from recycled or upcycled materials. Stay tuned for the details and even ways to submit your own creation!
  
  

  Keep an eye out for our future events:

  • Join Veganuary with the Energy Subcommittee and Ms. Connelly in January 
  • Pop up at Sustainable Art Showcase with Daystar
  • Put bird-safe window stickers up on Athletics Center to prevent bird collisions
  • Join Nature Walks with the Natural Environment Subcommittee while collecting photos from trail cameras
  • Look for an email with Natural Environment Bingo card game
    
    
• 

  Sustainability Board at the Holiday Fair

  The Climate Action Subcommittee hosted a Succulent Planting event, planting Paperwhite Bulbs in reusable containers, promoting an eco-friendly way to brighten indoor spaces. All proceeds were donated to the New England Wind Fund, which empowers consumers and communities to accelerate a just transition to a zero-carbon world.

  The Energy Subcommittee organized a Vegan Cookie Decorating activity, decorating cookies using plant-based ingredients while learning about the environmental benefits of choosing vegan options. Proceeds supported the Conservation Fund, which protects lands critical to climate solutions, sustainable economies, and vibrant communities.

  The Natural Environment Subcommittee has been sharing trail camera photos of local wildlife and native plants on their Instagram account, @hopnat_en, and on-campus TVs in Upper Heath, Thompson, and Baldwin. These images aim to connect the community with the beauty of local ecosystems and inspire action to protect them. Be sure to check out the latest photos!

• December Update from SusBo

  
  
  For the 2024-2025 school year, the Sustainability Board has been actively fostering positive change within the Hopkins community. Recently, Climate Action hosted a bake sale on November 8, with proceeds supporting Save the Sound, an organization dedicated to combating climate change and restoring ecosystems. 
  
  The Waste Subcommittee introduced larger recycling and trash bins on Baldwin’s third floor, replacing smaller classroom bins to reduce plastic waste and contamination while encouraging mindful waste disposal. They plan to compare the trash/recycling distribution to the floors without the standardized bins and if proven successful will invest in larger bins throughout the campus. Stay mindful of where you put your trash!
  
  The Natural Environment Subcommittee has been working to educate the community about local ecosystems by setting up trail cameras to capture photos of wildlife and native plants, with plans to display these images on campus TVs. Keep an eye out for new pictures! They also organized bake sales with petitions in October to support environmental awareness. On September 21, board members volunteered in a Shoreline Greenway Trail cleanup with CT Audubon. 
  
  The Energy Subcommittee set up battery recycling bins throughout campus. Although batteries are often thrown out alongside standard trash, it is oftentimes more valuable to separate them. Almost all states (with the exception of California) deem single use batteries acceptable to throw out, but most states deem throwing away rechargeable batteries illegal because of the corrosive materials within them. The environmental impacts from carelessly throwing away batteries can be larger than imagined, so be mindful of where you put your old batteries. If you have a suggestion for where to set up more bins, reach out!
  
  Looking ahead, the Energy Subcommittee is planning a Veganuary in January 2025 to promote sustainable dieting, emphasizing the health and environmental benefits of conscious eating with faculty sponsorships and active engagement with the community. Climate Action aims to expand outreach through the Razor and campus TVs, engaging more students in sustainability efforts. The Natural Environment Subcommittee will install bird-safe window stickers on the Athletics Center to prevent bird collisions.
  
  Keep an eye out for the Sustainability Board at the holiday fair on December 13th, where we will be arranging succulent planting activities and beeswax wrapping to promote sustainable practices and environmental appreciation.