Green Team guardians: Building community and sustainability at CMU

For several years, student leaders within the Science and Engineering Residential College (SERC) at Central Michigan University have been making a difference in their community through recycling efforts in Woldt Hall. This dedicated group, known as the Green Team, works together to ensure recycling collection is efficient and impactful.

Each Wednesday evening, the Green Team gathers to coordinate their efforts. Members check in with their group leader for floor assignments before splitting into smaller teams. They move through Woldt Hall, collecting recyclables from student rooms. Items such as plastic, aluminum, cardboard, and deposit returnables are sorted into designated bags. The funds collected from deposit returns are reinvested into various SERC programs and events.

Ella, a Green Team member, shared her motivation for joining the group: “Environmental issues are on such a large scale that you don't really know or understand what actionable steps to take as an individual… Green Team seems like a really easy and simple way to contribute to sustainability, but it definitely has a huge impact!”

Drew, a Woldt Hall resident who became involved through a friend, emphasized the community-building aspect of the group: “I had a class with Jacob. He talked to me about Green Team. This has been a great opportunity to get connected with other students in my residence hall and make new friends.”

Jacob, the Green Team leader, explained his passion for the initiative: “I got involved with Green Team because I see the influence it can have on others. Sustainability practices are really growing around CMU’s campus!”

The impact of Green Team goes beyond recycling. Marissa, a SERC Peer Mentor, highlighted the community-building value of volunteer groups like Green Team. “It is an excellent way for people to get out of their comfort zones and meet new friends that are like-minded,” she said. Members agree that recycling is a simple yet significant step toward sustainability. They take pride in raising awareness and diverting waste from landfills.

The Health Professions Residential College (HPRC) also has a Green Team that manages recycling for Emmons Hall. Beyond HPRC and SERC, the students were unaware of other residence hall recycling groups but hope their work inspires others to follow suit.

Green Team members are passionate about sustainability in their daily lives. Mason and Cade carpool to reduce emissions, with Cade also volunteering with Central Sustainability. Drew helps friends in Fabiano Hall with recycling and volunteers with Central Sustainability as well. Roman focuses on reusing single-use plastics, while Calub prefers walking to reduce greenhouse gases. Marissa is a self-proclaimed natural light lover who turns off lights when not needed. Ella thrifts and repurposes clothes through crafting. Jacob emphasizes reusing items, and Calvin collects plastic bags for reuse, walks when possible, and eats less meat.

Looking ahead, members like Drew and Cade are eager to tackle their next big sustainability goal in Woldt Hall—reducing single-use plastic water bottles. They hope to align their efforts with Central Sustainability’s “Take Back the Tap” initiative, which encourages students to use refillable water bottles instead of disposable ones.

Through their weekly recycling collections and personal sustainability practices, the Green Team members of SERC are proving that small actions can lead to a larger impact on their campus and the environment.