Zero Waste McMaster cleans up neighbourhoods surrounding campus following homecoming parties
On Oct. 7, members of McMaster's Zero Waste club gathered on campus to collect waste and clean up the Westdale and Ainslie Wood neighbourhoods following the events of homecoming on Oct. 5. The student-led club is committed to promoting a low-waste lifestyle to students and community members both on and off campus while raising awareness about pressing environmental issues.
Jessica Prevost, co-president of the Zero Waste Club, spoke about the motivation behind the cleanup and the event’s turnout.
“Zero Waste tries to do a cleanup every semester and we usually try to do the fall one around homecoming because with the street parties, it can get pretty gross on the street … so we wanted to help clean that up as quickly as possible … the goal was to help clean up the [surrounding] neighbourhoods, especially for the people who live there who are not responsible for the garbage,” said Prevost.
The goal was to help clean up the [surrounding] neighbourhoods, especially for the people who live there who are not responsible for the garbage.
Jessica Prevost, Co-President
Zero Waste McMaster
Despite fewer attendees participating in the cleanup than expected, the club managed to collect three bags of garbage and two bags of recycling.
Prevost noted that all supplies, including garbage and recycling bags and gloves for the cleanup, were provided through the City of Hamilton's 'Team Up to Clean Up' community program. "You can sign up a group of people or friends for a cleanup initiative and they provide all the materials for free … If you dispose of [the garbage and recycling bags] at your house, they do not add to the total garbage or recycling bag count, which is super convenient,” said Prevost.
The Zero Waste club also plans sustainability-focused workshops and campaigns, advocating for students, faculty and community members to adopt less wasteful, low-impact lifestyles. Zero Waste has made a map showing the locations of all compost bins across campus.
Zero Waste is also collaborating with small sustainable businesses to create a discount program for McMaster students, offering a range of sustainable and eco-friendly products at an affordable price. Local businesses such as "That Planted Fork", "Audstruck Expression" and "The Casual Gourmet" are participating in the program, where students receive a discount code that can be applied at checkout.
Prevost noted that one of the club’s key goals is to emphasize that reducing waste should not be overwhelming and that every student’s impact can be significant. “Zero waste [living] is not as hard as it sounds … it is not about [achieving] zero waste, just reducing waste … it can be as simple as composting, as long as you have the resources, or turning the lights off when you don’t need them … there are many little things that you can do that really matter,” said Prevost.
Zero waste [living] is not as hard as it sounds…it is not about [achieving] zero waste, just reducing waste…it can be as simple as composting, as long as you have the resources, or turning the lights off when you don’t need them…there are many little things that you can do that really matter.
Jessica Prevost, Co-President
Zero Waste McMaster
The next
You can visit the Zero Waste Club's website and Instagram for more details and to sign up for their events.
Yara Farran / The Silhouette
And on the second day, God created soul-crushingly awkward conversation followed by intense staring competitions and jilted laughter.
It’s these uncomfortable interactions that form the basis of many people’s social apprehension. These fears are further magnified when forced into the infamous, “Should I say ‘hi’?” quagmire, where you end up battling your greater sensibilities in a game of tug of war. While your big old heart is advising you to take the plunge and just say “hello,” your mind is forewarning of potential disaster. What if the person you want to say hi to doesn’t say hi back? What if they don’t see you? What if after this painful ordeal you end up sitting beside this person in class, and have to spend a whole fifty minutes pretending that nothing ever happened.
There are a few options to explore when faced with this existential dilemma, all of which have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
The Stare
You spot your part-time BFFL on the other side of the walkway. She’s walking briskly. You’re deeply wondering. She’s cheer captain, while you’re on the bleachers (at most Marauders games, that is). As you near her, you decide to pull the classic stare – an intense gaze that is a daring hybrid between Blue Steele and a collection of Gary Busey’s mug shots.
Pros: The stare, although initially creepy, can be quite understated when mastered. By quickly scanning your friend’s eyes you can determine whether or not they a) see you, b) show a willingness to say “hi” or c) aren’t in an early stage of catatonia. If your friend checks all three boxes, then you are all clear to proceed to the “Hey you!” phase.
Cons: The stare scores high on the creep-barometer. Staring too long or too intently is problematic, especially when attempted in a highly populated area. Also, the stare can be misinterpreted. What may mean approachable and casual to you can mean scathing and judgemental to others. And if the stare is anything like the latter, you’re going to have some explainin’ to do.
The Smile
You’re making your way to the stairs and you discover your professor taking a lovely afternoon stroll. You’ve talked to him a couple of times, but you’re still unsure if he knows that your name isn’t Kent. You want to be professional and warm and cool and awesome, all while maintaining the small inkling of grace that you (kind of) inherited from your mama. So, naturally, as your professor nears, you fall back into option deux, the smile.
Pros: This is my personal favourite. The best thing about this approach is that if your professor doesn’t see you/remember that you’re actually not Kent from fourth-period Economics, you can brush it off and pretend that your smile was directed elsewhere. Anyway, smiles are just so darn awesome. They make people feel good. They make you feel good, and really isn’t this what this whole thing is about?
Con: The smile is almost 100 per cent foolproof, however, you need to take the smile spectrum into account. The “smile spectrum,” you ask? It’s the best way to evaluate whether a situation is in need of a full on toothy grin, head nod and finger point or a mild, sweet smize (yes, smiling with your eyes, ladies and gents). However, if you don’t have five seconds to pre-plan your smile, or if you’ve had past blunders with the smile spectrum (Did you once lick your lips while greeting your Nan?) then this one might not be for you.
The Pass
You’re at the hottest night club in town and the DJ is playing your fave remix of Coolio’s “Gangster’s Paradise.” You’re breaking it down in the middle of the dance floor, when suddenly you spot your ex-crush. You wonder whether or not you should say hi, or continue doing the electric boogaloo. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
Pros: By taking a pass, you can completely disregard all potentially awkward situations and pretend that you didn’t just see the former man of your dreams slowly rapping alongside Coolio. Dance on, player.
Cons: Correction. Passing can actually be way more awkward and cause you to feel paranoid and worried all night. Plus, if you see this person again in the near future, ignoring them can cause permanent emotional scarring and a lifetime of strained conversation at the chip table.
Well, that’s all folks! You now have the three best techniques under your belt to battle this predicament. But at the end of the day, if the stare, the smile or the pass don’t work, you can always go the unconventional route and just say “hi.”
