Yesterday during Bengal Pause, the New York Public Interest Research Group and Evergreen, Buffalo
State’s initiative to promote environmental consciousness, held their fifth annual environmental
information fair in the E.H. Butler Library.
The theme for this year’s fair was composting, so tables presented information on compostable
materials and simple composting techniques. NYPIRG was also giving away portable composting bins
to those who filled out surveys as a way to promote composting at home.
“We’re just trying to let everyone know how to compost and what’s involved,” said Lauren Bostaph,
Evergreen staff associate. “I think a lot of people are afraid of composting, they don’t really understand
it. So I think if they have a little more knowledge about it, they’ll be more apt to do it. That’s our goal.”
One organization that attended the fair was Community Action Organization, a group that collects
waste from businesses around Buffalo and composts it into soil.
“Businesses give us all their waste so we keep it out of the landfill,” said Community Action
Organization member Kipp Milliron. “Then we mix hay in, water it down, and in 90 days you’ve got
this beautiful, nitrogen rich soil.”
After the waste is turned into soil, Milliron said they grow organic specialty crops and sell them to
local restaurants. Despite common conceptions, he said their vegetables actually end up costing less
than mass-grown crops because they are able to cut down on transportation costs.
“Organic does not have to be expensive,” Milliron said. “People hear organic and think it’s going to
cost them an arm and a leg, but we make it affordable. We even provide greenhouses for those who
want to grow on their own.”
Hospitality students have the opportunity to compost through Campus House as well. Senior hospitality
major Derik Porth said Campus House collected over 300 pounds of compost this year, which they
donated to the Wilson Street Urban Farm.
“The hospitality and service sector is going toward becoming green, and it’s actually developing almost
as fast as technology,” Porth said.
The event also hosted a number of other campus and community organizations such as recycling
organization Cascade Recovery and Green Options Buffalo, an advocate for biking and alternative
forms of transportation. Activities ranged from wrapping the roots of a sapling tree to get it ready for
planting, to spinning a wheel to try to win a suncatcher made from recycled glass bottles.
“We’re really just trying to get students experience with advocacy work,” said NYPIRG Project
Coordinator Patricia Ceravole. “We got some really great organizations pulled in this year, and I think
it definitely looks like a success.”
Brian Alexander can be reached by email at alexander.record@live.com.