Students and campus organizations came together April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. Titan Walk and the Becker Amphitheater at Cal State Fullerton were filled with a mix of good energy, hands-on activities and various information on how to be eco-friendly.
The event — a collaboration between Parking and Transportation Services, the Associated Students Environmental Sustainability Commission, TitanHEALTH and University Sustainability — featured booths, games and interactive activities all centered around this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet.”
Various organizations and clubs lined Titan Walk, sharing simple ways students can be more sustainable. This includes cutting down on waste, reusing everyday items or figuring out what goes in which recycling bin at home.
Stephanie Del Rosario, the sustainability analyst for University Sustainability, said the goal was to highlight the many sustainability efforts already happening across campus and connect students with those resources.
“Just because sustainability is definitely a big team sport, and so all of these — all of us here gathered today, I think is a testament to how well our campus works together,” Del Rosario said.
Del Rosario also encourages students to apply for the Engaging Environmental Experiences Internship program. The E3 internship program, hosted at the Fullerton Arboretum, offers students from all majors an opportunity to get their hands dirty learning about horticulture and ecology.
Over at the Becker Amphitheater, thrifting met community goods. ASI’s Environmental Sustainability Commission teamed up with Fullerton Fashion Association and the Patrons of the Library Book Sale Center to host a clothing and book swap.
Students browsed racks of pre-loved clothes, traded in their own items and were able to check out a pop-up from Tuffy’s Career Closet for free professional wear. Members of the FFA collected used clothing and allowed students to bring in old clothes to swap for new pieces.
“A lot of these clothes are just pieces we’ve collected over the years, whether thrifting or vintage stores, or just clothes that we bought and no longer wear and have just been sitting in a closet,” said FFA President Zachary Wallace.
In addition to the swap, students could stop by booths to learn about a range of sustainable activities, including recycling tips and greener ways to get around. Parking and Transportation Services offered free bike safety checks, while TitanHEALTH provided a mobile health clinic.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) informed students about the UPass program, which allows CSUF students to ride OC buses at a lower cost compared to regular fare.
Jocelynn De La Cruz, marketing specialist at OCTA, said with rising gas prices and growing concerns about emissions, public transportation is an easy win for both the wallet and the planet.
She encourages students to think about the bigger picture and shared the little ways in which everybody can contribute to the bigger picture over time.
OC Waste and Recycling also joined the conversation and encouraged residents and students in Orange County to learn more about where trash ends up.
“I think it really just comes down to community and the shared goal and value that we have,” said Ingrid Mata, ASI student government coordinator. “You know, we have one planet. We need to take care of her just like she takes care of us.”