USF receives 2004/05 Earth Award
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| Brian Herbst of Plainfield, 2005 USF graduate and Salim Diab, professor of chemistry, at the USF plant sale as part of the Greening of Campus Initiative. Herbst starts medical school in the fall. |
As part of the State of Illinois Earth Flag Program, the Will County Land Use Department, Waste Services Division, recognized the students, faculty, administration and staff of the University of St. Francis for a second year of achievements in waste reduction, recycling and environmental education. USF is recognized as a model school in environmental practices within the Will County community.
"Will County gives these awards to schools that find time to integrate environmental teaching and practices into the curriculum," said Salim Diab, USF professor of chemistry. "It is a great accomplishment for the university."
USF received the award because of its recent efforts in waste reduction and recycling. This includes performing waste audits, which examine the type of garbage USF creates and determines what items are going to landfills.
USF has also recognized exceptional contributions of Diab by presenting him with the Achievement in Service Award for his extraordinary service through his leadership in initiating and implementing the Greening of the Campus committee and effort. Diab of Joliet has worked at USF for 26 years.
"This has moved the USF community forward in enhancing awareness of the environment by reducing waste and beautifying the campus," said Michael Vinciguerra, USF president. "This is an initiative embedded in Franciscan values."
USF has written a grant that will enable the university to advance its recycling program. "We are looking forward to receiving the grant from the State of Illinois so that we can put even more recycling into place," said Diab.
Additionally, USF is teaching environmental education to students through the "Greening of Campus" philosophy headed by Diab. Students, staff, faculty, administrators and the community will take part in various activities.
"Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day" will be held at the Bonnie McBeth Learning Center, located at 15732 Howard St. in Plainfield, on June 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Household hazardous waste items will be collected, including: oil based paints; used, motor oil, paint thinners, household batteries, herbicides, drain cleaners, insecticides, lawn chemicals, pesticides, solvents, old gasoline, antifreeze, pool chemicals, hobby chemicals, cleaning products, aerosol paints, mercury, aerosol pesticides, automotive batteries, fluorescent lamp bulbs and boat batteries.
USF will also volunteer at "Waste Tire Collection" on June 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Will County Highway Department located at 1240 W. Caton Farm Rd. in Crest Hill. Tires will be accepted from Illinois residents only that have never participated in a State of Illinois Tire Collection before. Car, tractor, and small truck tires are accepted, but business tires, industrial tires, off road tires and heavily soiled tires will not be accepted. Participants must be able to unload their own tires.
For more information about these events, call the Will County Land Use Department, Waste Services Division at (815)727-8834 or visit www.willcountylanduse.com.
For more information about the Greening of Campus initiative at USF, go to www.stfrancis.edu/green.
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