Meridian Tree Huggers Promote Eco-Friendly Living

As global warming and pollution increase, recycling bins and other going green alternatives have been scattered throughout campus to reduce waste and create a more eco-friendly atmosphere. The addition of these recycling bins is in line with Howard University's "going green" initiative and mission to cut down on the surplus of garbage produced around campus.

Sophomores Deserae Brooks and Kori Burrell have become part of this campus wide initiative by taking part in, Tree Huggers, which is Meridian's green team and recycling coalition. Tree Huggers is not only in line with the university's mission but it is also in conjunction with t Residence Life's plan to promote recycling and become more environmentally savvy with an abundance of undergraduates living on campus.

"Tree Huggers emerged out of people getting interested in local recycling and the need for Meridian representation in personalizing efforts in going green," Kenyatta Hobson, Meridian's Community Director, said. "Being aware of how we can support this campus wide initiative to go green is what really motivated the all the dorms including Meridian to do this."

Hobson purposefully initiated this type of program in Meridian with the help of Brooks and Burrell as a result of their existing passion for protecting the environment.

"I used to live in Japan and what I noticed is that things there are so much cleaner than in America. The United States is so much more wasteful compared to Japan when it comes to preserving electricity and recycling," Burrell said. "Me being a part of an environmental research internship for the past three years has made me so passionate and has made me decide that I want to deal with this for the rest of my life."

Hobson entrusted both Brooks and Burrell to convey the necessity and importance of recycling to their fellow sophomore class and the Howard community.

"I want them to influence how people think when it comes to garbage. Ultimately I would like for the Tree Huggers to be able to identify a consistent product-paper, plastic, aluminum, etc.- that residents in Meridian need to recycle since there are 700 people that live in this building," Brooks said.

Currently, there are 12 members of the Green Team, and Brooks and Burrell are looking to add more to the environmental pilgrimage.

"The satisfaction you get out of helping the environment is so rewarding. Knowing that you're not only helping yourself but you're helping the world is a big part of it," Brooks said. "The Tree Huggers is satisfactory to me because it shows the effects of little changes can always add up to big changes. If you are interested in helping with the campaign for the Tree Huggers simply take your used bags, paper, and plastic to the lobby of Meridian and placed them into the blue recycle bins in the lobby."

For further information about upcoming events with Meridian's Green Team, contact Deserae Brooks and Kori Burrell via email at deserae.brooks14@yahoo.com and or kburrell23@yahoo.com.