World Water Week occurred mid March on Bowling Green’s campus. Our Sustainable Design Class’s Enlighten umbrella group collaborated with the on-campus organization Net Impact who sponsored World Water Week.

One of the water initiatives that took place was the One Minute Less campaign. The goal of the One Minute Less campaign was to raise awareness about the growing scarcity of “easy” fresh water, and how everyone can help save water by using just one minute less water in the shower.

We raised awareness by creating a small poster series, outlining cause, effect and solution. We also created a sponge banner which read “Shower For One Minute Less, Save 3 Gallons.” This banner was hung outside the union oval for World Water Week. 

Over, we feel that the project was successful in that we did raise awareness about excessive water usage. Although World Water Week is over, we challenge each student to try to shower for a minute less. Each of us can contribute and help make a difference!

To finish up the semester, Enlighten Project has created a set of info graphics. These info graphics can help other start-up projects.

Click on the thumbnails below for a larger version.

From 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Project Enlighten hosted a clothing swap at BGSU in the Student Union oval. Well over 2,000 articles of clothing were collected and swapped throughout the day!

Check out the photos that are uploaded to our Flickr and Facebook.

Hopefully everyone found some new clothes for the summer and enjoyed the event.

Thanks for the great turnout!

The website is finally launched!

There will be a photo section that will contain links back to tumblr for news updates as well as many other features.

Enjoy!

The Enlighten Project’s very own Krista Elvey is starting up a community garden here in Bowling Green!  Check out the cool new promotional video!

http://vimeo.com/11028289

Enlighten will be continuing the spirit of Earth Week by hosting a clothing swap during the last week of classes.The Clothing Swap is an event where students can turn in their old clothes in exchange for new ones. This is off the idea of freecycling, which is the concept of reducing waste by trading items you no longer want with others. On this day, bring clean, gently used clothing to the oval and receive as many items as you brought. For instance, bringing two shirts will allow you to take two items from the swap. There will be tables set up and marked by gender, size, and item.The event will occur on Wednesday, April 28th from 10am-6pm in the Union Oval.

Today Enlighten decided to do a little social experiment.  We walked around campus with bags of the new Sunchips biodegradable bags and decided it was time to reward those good deeds that have gone un-rewarded.  For every person that we ran into using a reusable container of some kind we loudly, and in front of a large group of people, gave them a full size bag of Sunchips.  Letting them know that we appreciate the difference they are making in their everyday consumption habits..  Maybe we inspired others to do the same.  We will be doing this several more times at random so be prepared!  

Enlighten Out.

The Green Critique is an opportunity for campus participants to learn easy ways to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Enlighten will be providing information about methods of greening your life, and offering to answer any questions pertaining to the project. This is an opportunity for you to ask Enlighten ways to create the least impact in any area of your life. If you’re interested in finding eco-friendly soaps or detergents, post it to the Enlighten Facebook Page. We will do the research for you. Feel free to post any ideas or ways you green your life to the Facebook page as well. The purpose of this endeavor is to encourage dialogue among the campus community concerning individual impact on the earth. For instance, if you see someone throwing a plastic bottle in the trash, suggest that they recycle it or use a reusable bottle. Enlighten will be standing on the steps of the Education Building Monday morning applauding and discouraging behavior of passers-by. Anyone interested in joining is welcome. We ask that participants carry this idea on past Monday morning and continue until Friday on behalf of the Enlighten Project. The Green Critique is a way to learn from one another and help the planet, as well as gain a greater sense of social responsibility and accountability from our peers.

As a part of the promotions team in the group, I’ve taken the leading roll in making seed paper posters to help us promote. Seed paper is 100% recycled paper pulp mixed with wildflower seeds. This mixture is then screened and flattened into sheets that are able to be planted in the ground.

Not only are we creating these seed paper posters, we will be screen printing our messages on them. Using non-toxic emulsion as well as non-toxic water-based inks, this printing process will help support our cause.

ITEMS AND TOOLS BEING USED
- Blender

- Wooden frame

- Window screen

- Staple gun

- Washtub or bin (bigger than the frame)

- Sheets of felt or dishtowels (bigger than the frame)

WOODEN SCREEN MAKING
I created a wooden frame with the inner size being the size of paper I want in the end.

I have a roll of window screen that I used for the backing of the frame.

Using a staple gun, the screen was tacked to the back of the frame. I was sure that the screen take tight and even, that way the final paper will be as even as possible.

Here is a shot of the final screen.

PAPER PREPARATION

This project consists of 100% recycled paper, so I have collected a lot of “used” paper from my home, campus and friends. It’s a mixture of junk mail, printed paper that someone didn’t want, napkins, paper towels, brown grocery bags and other various papers.

Begin by cutting, ripping or shredding the papers into roughly 1 inch by 1 inch pieces. This step can also be replaced with a paper shredder. Make sure there are no staples or other items included that will harm your blender.

You can insert these paper pieces into the blender and add water, or let them pre-soak in water to help the blending process.

Pieces of uncoated cardboard can also be used, but these require more soaking.

PULP CREATION
The paper to water ratio should be about 1 to 2. Once your paper and water mixture is in the blender, begin the blending process. you should blend on low or medium speed for about 60 seconds, or until no flakes remain and the pulp seems smooth.

ADDING THE SEEDS
A variety of different seeds can be placed into your mix. For this project, I chose a wildflower mix.

The amount of seeds added to the pulp is really up to you, depending on how much you want to grow with each piece of paper.
Next, add the seeds to your pulp mixture. Make sure you DO NOT blend the seeds, but just stir them into the pulp.

PREPARING THE TUB
Add some water to your tub, not a whole lot is required but make sure the the wooden screen can be submerged completely.

ADDING THE PULP
Pour the pulp and seed mixture into the bin or tub. You will notice that the pulp will become overpowered by the water.. this is fine.

Slip your screened frame into the mixture, slowly shifting it side to side so there is no pulp underneath. As the pulp settles, start to pull the screen up at a level degree. The water will sift through the frame, as the pulp/seed mixture collects.

THE PAPER COMES TO LIFE
As the screen is pulled completely out of the water, allow the excess water to drain as much as possible. You still start to see the seed textures appear immediately.

Place the frame, screen side down, into a large towel or piece of felt. This will help dry the paper and allow for easy removal from the screened frame.

Once the bottom side has had time to dry a bit, flip the frame over. This part might seem a little scary, but the pulp has already started to bond and is stronger than you might think.

Once the frame is turned all the way over, you can lightly tap the screening until the sheet falls onto the towel or felt.

Lift the frame up to reveal a sheet of seed paper!

The paper will need to dry completely, but at this point it is already fairly strong.

When the paper is dry, the texture and aesthetic of the seeds is incredible.

An absolutely awesome local RA, Kate Wiggeringloh has been enlightened and is helping further the process by making her residence bulletin boards something to look at.

Kate Writes:

“Can’t wait for  this installation…on my floor I made a bulletin board all about the enlighten project, Friday night lights, the BGSU Green Initiatives Fund and the BGSU service for environmental affairs…I printed everything on 100% recycled papers and all that …I included a link to the tumblr, twitter and facebook page so my residents can find out.

Thanks, Kate!

How are you enlightening?  Send us a pic or Join our facebook group! Let us know how you are helping.