On March 15, the Eco-Stewards Club hosted its “Plastic Not-So-Fantastic” event in Waynesburg University’s Paul R. Stewart Science Hall. 

“The event was to raise awareness about the plastic issues both globally and locally,” said Dr. Janet Paladino, a professor of biology at Waynesburg University and co-speaker at the event. 

The Eco-Stewards is a club for those interested in environmental science and sustainability. Paladino made it clear that the club is not exclusive to majors only, it is open to everyone who wants to do environmental work and service.

The idea for an event discussing the dangers of high plastic use and consumption came from the chemistry department. According to Paladino, the department then approached the Eco-Stewards about the possibility of hosting and presenting information for it.

“They actually wanted the chemistry students to know about it,” Paladino said. 

She also said that plastic creation will be an issue going forward, so knowing how plastic is made on a chemical level will be beneficial for the chemistry students who attended. 

The event had two main parts: the lecture and application. The lecture consisted of Paladino and Andrew Heisey, chair for the Department of Fine Arts.

“I presented the facts and statistics on the problem,” Paladino said. “And then Professor Heisey, he presented what he’s doing and what he would like students to become involved in.”

After the lecture, students could create items using plastics that they brought. There were also games to play made of reused plastic and prizes to win.

Bruce Christensen, a student present for the event, said the games consisted of a ring toss with “rings made from plastic bags and plastic twine … a competition for the best plastic sculpture” and one where students had to guess how many plastic bags were in a container. There was also a station where he was able to make his own “tiny bookmark” made of plastic.

Paladino thought the event went well and was happy with the level of engagement from students.

“My favorite part of the event was having students ask questions and be interested in the topic,” she said. “As a teacher, that’s the most important thing: to have people respond.”

Christensen said that his big takeaway from the event was to be careful of his plastic consumption.

“It taught me that if I can go without plastic, try to,” he said.

According to Paladino, the Eco-Stewards will be running the “Plastic Not-So-Fantastic” event again when Carmichaels Area Jr./Sr. High School students visit Waynesburg University on Earth Day, Friday, April 22.