Sacramento State students, clubs and outside organizations gathered at the quad on Thursday to educate the campus on the importance of waste disposal and environmental awareness in honor of Earth Day.

 

Sustainability Analyst Kristina Cullen of Facilities Management Department at Sac State said she hopes to raise awareness among the campus community on how to be more environmentally responsible.

 

“This is everyone’s campus, we all come here,” Cullen said. “To enjoy the campus in a responsible way, we all should do something extra to help the environment. Saving water, energy or recycling, we can all do something.”

 

Cullen encourages students to be both environmentally friendly on and off campus

 

“Don’t think that you as one person cannot make a difference,” Cullen said. “One person can make a difference. If we all just pitch in and do something small, we can make a big difference together.”

 

Universal wastes and simple household commodities such as lamps, light bulbs and batteries are noticeably thrown away into trash cans. However, people often do not realize what they are disposing can affect the environment.

 

Bob Hitomi, Environmental Specialist for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at Sac State said it is important to be aware of what is thrown away and where.

 

Environmental Health and Safety develops and implements programs to ensure the safety of the campus environment and community. The unit focuses on things such as working closely with constituents to address regulations and promoting environmental stewardship.

 

Hitomi said lamps, light bulbs and batteries are to be recycled in order to prevent storm water pollution.

 

“They must be recycled because they may accumulate into the environment and cause harm to people,” Hitomi said. “The metal from the batteries or the mercury from the lamps and light bulbs can potentially get into nearby water sources.”

 

According to the U.S Geological Survey, mercury is depended on its chemical form and the route of exposure. It’s most toxic chemical, Methyl-mercury, affects the immune system alters genetic and enzyme systems and damages the nervous system.

 

Hitomi said he encourages people to recycle properly by dropping off objects that contain metal or mercury to the Environmental Health and Safety office.

 

Aside from disposing of batteries or light bulbs inappropriately being an issue, the disposal of expired and unused pharmaceuticals also affects the environment.

 

Pharmacy Manager for Student Health Services Pharmacy Janet Dumonchelle said she urges the Sac State community to not dispose prescription or over-the-counter drugs and pills into the toilet or sink.

 

The Student Health Services Pharmacy was advocating their “Don’t Rush to Flush” campaign.

 

“If you flush pills down the toilet, water treatment plants cannot pull out the pharmaceuticals from the water,” Dumonchelle said. “There is a waste management company that collects the pills and incinerates them in a waste treatment plant.”

 

According to the Sacramento Suburban Water District website, controlling what goes down the drain is the easiest and most effective way to protect water supply sources.

 

The Well is in support of disposing properly and a disposal bin is available in for expired and unused prescription medications.

 

“It keeps our water safe and prevents prescription drug abuse,” Dumonchelle said. “Every little effort put into recycling and learning about sustainability will keep our planet healthier.”