DUBOIS – Dozens of Penn State DuBois students turned out for the first campus Green Fair held in the Student Union on Wednesday. The event, organized by the Student Life Office, brought students together with representatives from area businesses, who shared the green business practices their companies use to help sustain the environment. A representative from the Office of the Physical Plant at University Park was also on hand to explain ways that the university has gone green.
“We got these local businesses to come and show the students how they’ve taken responsibility for taking care of the environment,” said student organizer Chris Kolp. “Penn State is trying to take a greener approach, and this is a good way to promote that to students and show them how to go green here and at home.”
Josh Brubaker, from the local Petco, showed students what his company does to promote the green movement. He said, “We offer a lot of all natural products for pets, at we have a real commitment to sustainability.” That commitment, Brubaker explained, centers around the use of products that are free of artificial ingredients and chemicals.
Wal-Mart was also among the businesses participating in the Green Fair. Associates from the DuBois showed students some of the many 100% recycled products that Wal-Mart offers, and encouraged them to make “green” choices when shopping. Sandy Schimizzi, the head of Wal-Mart’s Personal Sustainability Program said she and other employees also volunteer in the community to support environmental conservation. She explained, “We have helped to clean up parks and streams in DuBois and Fallscreek.”