chairs

HWS News

19 April 2023 • Sustainability Earth Week and Adirondack Chairs By COLIN SPENCER '19

Events will educate the community on sustainability through activities, a movie and talks. New campus seating is constructed from sustainable material.

In conjunction with HWS Earth Week festivities, crews from the Buildings and Grounds Department have been adding nearly two dozen Adirondack chairs across campus. The chairs, made from plastic composites, have been placed on William Smith Hill, in the Jackson, Potter and Reese Courtyard, outside of Caird and de Cordova residence halls, around the Quad and near Scandling Campus Center and Cozzens Field. 

“We’re excited to not only create new spaces for students to gather, study and relax but to do so with sustainable materials. The chairs are made from recycled plastics that we are keeping out of the landfill,” says Grounds Manager Drew Rojek.

The chairs are created using items like milk jugs, laundry detergent containers and bottle caps. Each year, the manufacturer POLYWOOD recycles millions of plastic containers that would otherwise end up in a landfill or in the ocean, and instead turns them into lumber. 

Additionally, in recognition of Earth Day, the Colleges have planned a week of activities dedicated to sustainability and environmentalism. 

Earth Week runs from April 16 to 22. Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, advocates for resourcefulness, sustainability and climate change awareness.

The week’s schedule is as follows:

Saturday, April 16

  • Open Gardening at the Campus Garden, 2-4 p.m.

Monday, April 17

  • Soap Making with Campus Greens in the Scandling Campus Center, 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Meatless Monday Takeover at My Kitchen, lunch and dinner hours
  • Clothing Repair Workshop at the Scandling Fireplace Lounge, 5-6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 18

  • Sustainability Prize Wheel Tabling in the Scandling Campus Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Fresh Fruit Smoothie Takeover at My Kitchen, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 19 

  • Herb Planting in the Scandling Campus Center, 5-9 p.m.
  • Green Lens Film: Mossville: When Great Trees Fall in the Sanford Room, 6:30-8 p.m.

Thursday, April 20 

  • Meet our Dietician, Megan Dennis in the Saga Dining Hall, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Tents, Telescopes, Mountain Pies and S’mores (oh my!) on The Quad, 8-10 p.m.

Friday, April 21

  • Farmers Market with Dainty Donut Truck on the Scandling Patio, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Dining Sustainable Jeopardy in the Scandling Campus Center, 5-9 p.m.

Saturday, April 22 

  • Earth Day 2023
  • Mission Zero at The Cooler, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Discover the environmental solutions and sustainable initiatives local businesses and organizations have developed at this climate-focused fair. A shuttle will pick up students at 9:45 a.m. from the Medbery Parking Lot and bring them back.

All Week! Stop by Anytime

  • DIY Crafts & Local Sustainability History on the Second Floor of the Warren Hunting Smith Library