April 21, 2011

Earth Day 2011 celebration is in full swing

by Paula Van Brocklin

The Iowa State community has joined millions of others around the globe this week to commemorate Earth Day on Friday, April 22. This year marks the event's 41st annual celebration.

While several Earth Day activities already have taken place on campus this week, there still is a lot going on. Here's what you can look forward to on Thursday and Friday.

  • E-waste collection for federal and state employees, April 21 (7 a.m.-noon, Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way). Recycle your personal electronics for free, including batteries, cell phones, copiers, DVD players, laptops, etc. There is a charge to recycle computer monitors and TVs. Contact Shelly Codner, (319) 404-1942, with questions.
  • Free ink cartridge refills, April 21-22 (7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday; 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday; University Book Store). Bring an empty ink cartridge to the bookstore and get a free refill. Information on compatible cartridges.
  • Browsing Library magazine sale, April 21-22 (8 a.m.-8 p.m., Browsing Library, Memorial Union). Contribute used magazines instead of throwing them in the trash. Purchase magazines for 25 cents each.
  • Grounds for Gardens, April 21-22 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). Help your garden grow with used coffee grounds from Conversations Dining Center, Caribou Coffee, Hawthorn Market and Café, or the MU Market and Café. Free.
  • Green Umbrella book swap, April 21 (2-6 p.m., MU Pine Room). Bring books you no longer read and swap them for new-to-you books. Free.
  • Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic For Our Time, April 21 (8 p.m., MU Gold Room). Environmentalist Aldo Leopold is the topic of this documentary film. Free.
  • Free brewed coffee refill, April 22 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., all ISU Dining locations except Wallace-Wilson C-Store). Stop by with a reuseable mug or tumbler and get a free coffee refill.
  • Free drink, April 22 (9 a.m.-9 p.m., all ISU Dining locations). Purchase any tumbler and receive a free drink.
  • Reiman Gardens Gift Shop, April 22 (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reiman Gardens). Get 20 percent off all sustainable items in the store.
  • Earth Day tree planting, April 22 (10-10:30 a.m., Reiman Gardens). Join Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance, as he plants a tree at the gardens. Cost is the price of admission to Reiman Gardens.
  • Earth Day Sustainability Fair, April 22 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Parks Library free speech zone). Get a bike tune-up, pick up an energy-efficient CFL light bulb, learn about ISU's new car-sharing program and more. Free.
  • 5K Run Beyond Coal, April 22 (11 a.m., meet outside Lied Center). Sponsored by ActivUs and the ISU Running Club. Register online or at the event. Cost is $13.
  • Keep Iowa State Beautiful, April 22 (4-6 p.m., meet at the Anderson Sculpture Garden, south of Morrill). Join University Museums staff and pick up trash around campus sculptures. Free.

For more details on Earth Day activities, visit the university calendar or the Live Green website.