Keeping it green on Greene Street

Sustainable Carolina turned Greene Street into a hub for green living during its Earth Day festival. 

The event brought together several University of South Carolina groups and featured interactive activities designed to educate on eco-friendly habits. 

“We have a bunch of tables set up to get students connected to the Earth and sustainable initiatives,” said Amelia Casey, a member of Sustainable Carolina. 

The festival was set up like a bingo game. Students received a mark on their bingo cards for each station visited. They were rewarded with a fresh smoothie from a bike-powered blender once they completed a row. 

Olivia Bretzuis, sustainability coordinator with Carolina Food Company, said the activity lets students create a smoothie for themselves, by pedaling instead of using electricity. 

The event also included activities such as trivia, pot decorating, dog toy making from clothing scraps and “Pin the Trash on the Tiger” game. 

“Pin the Trash on the Tiger” is a rivalry recycling competition between the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. Each university already weighs its on-campus recycling. They’ll compare the numbers at the end of April. The winner gets bragging rights. 

“It’s just been so rewarding to see everyone come together and be in support of the Earth,” said Anna Petruzzi, a member of Sustainable Carolina. “(We have) a lot of quick activities that are fun and also spread awareness about conservation.” 

The Food Recovery organization, a newly reactivated group on campus, also participated in the event. 

“Two weeks ago, we recovered 91 pounds of food from the Welsh Humanity Starbucks,” sophomore Katie Briggs said. “We took half of it to the community shop and half of it to the volunteers at Final Victory Animal Rescue.” 

Another station featured hydroponic towers.  

“Hydroponics have several advantages. You can put one in the kitchen, windowsills or you can have it on your balcony,” said Julianna Wiloughby, a senior who studies environmental science. 

She is in a sustainable projects class that runs two hydroponic towers.  

Some students received potted mint plants grown in Russell House’s hydroponic farm. 

“I was super ecstatic about Earth Day,” senior Jasmine Creech said. “I’ve been wanting to start my own garden forever. I just never had the motivation to go buy one on my own.”