36 vendors to help spread planet-friendly awareness at Earth Day

Biology graduate student Shweta Panchal decides which herbs she wants to take at UTA Earth Day in Spring 2009 on the University Center Mall. (The Shorthorn: File Photo)

The Sustainability Office on Wednesday will bring awareness about the earth and environment by hosting the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and UTA’s 10th anniversary at the University Center mall.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Earth Day is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. It was founded by late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and now is celebrated in many countries every year.

“It’s a chance for us all to become involved in saving our planet and making sure future generations have a human-friendly sustainable environment,” said Sustainability director Meghna Tare. “It is important to raise awareness about environmental issues like recycling, climate change and energy conservation.”

Tare said over the last ten years, the university has been increasing the number of people and vendors participating in the event and showcasing their environmentally-friendly products.

UTA is celebrating by offering compostable lunch, which consists of baked potato, fruits and drink for $1. Herb plants and environmentally friendly water bottles are free while they last. People can buy an Earth Day T-shirt for $10, and visit with vendors to learn how to help the environment.

Earth Day Celebration

What: “Celebrating People and Planet” Earth Day
Where: University Center mall
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday

Christopher Seale, an environmental science graduate student, said he will be selling T-Shirts on Earth Day for “Celebrating People and Planet,” the theme of the UTA Earth Day event.

“This event is important to spread the word about Earth Day, sustainability and the various UTA environmental programs,” Seale said. “It is also a way to raise some money for the Office of Sustainability. I feel great about volunteering. Even though it is for a class requirement, it is something that I have wanted to do for quite some time.”

Becky Valentich, the university recycling coordinator, said the event would bring awareness about the earth and how people’s actions are affecting the earth and its resources.

She said 36 groups including the Trinity River Authority, Heifer International, Waste Management and Arlington Conservation Council have information tables confirmed.

Catherine Goyne, Maverick Print And Mail Services accounting technician, said she has been volunteering for Earth Day for the last eight years and will be serving foods along with 10 other staff from her department.

“It is good to get outside and get fresh air,” Goyne said. “It is always fun to see different things that can be recycled in different ways.”