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Not only is the Market at Centennial Place a convenient one-stop-shop for various grocery items, but it now offers students, faculty and staff reusable shopping bags in an attempt to decrease its carbon footprint.
The bags come free with purchase to students using dining plans at the Market and are available for sale to those not participating in the dining plan program.
“Reusable bags are becoming a common item for everyone to own and, more importantly, use,” Georgia Southern SAGE member Jessica Sparrow said. “The campus market is following this trend, but what makes it so more important is the statement that GSU is moving towards becoming a more sustainable campus.”
Sparrow said that by introducing reusable bags to campus, the market is showing its dedication to keeping GSU and the community a beautiful place to live.
“These multi-purpose bags are great because not only are they large and carry groceries, but they promote GSU in a sustainable light,” Sparrow said. “I think GSU has done a tremendous amount to becoming more sustainable.
“Not many schools have a sustainability director, a Center for Sustainability or recycling program. In addition, this means less plastic bags to the landfill or in the water system,” she said.
Sparrow said that she believes the use of reusable bags at the Market is an important step in sustaining GSU, and she also thinks other on-campus facilities should follow suit.
“First, [you can] save money because less plastic bags will have to be purchased,” Sparrow said.
“In addition, ‘going green’ is a catch phrase that is sweeping the nation. More and more people are aware that our environment is being severely degraded and the consequences that holds for us in the future.
“Prospective students look to see how sustainable a campus is and are they [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certified, bike racks, food choices, etc. This small step leads us closer to a more sustainable campus,” she said.
According to Sparrow, Bulloch County produces over 84 tons of trash each year, and of that, 35,000 pounds are plastics bags that make up 8 percent of Bulloch County’s waste.
“Think about how much plastic bags weigh, and that makes up eight percent of our waste,” Sparrow said. “The process to make plastic bags uses an astronomical amount of oil. Carrying around a reusable bag is a simple task people can do to help the environment with minimal constraints on your budget.”
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