ABOUT MO

Maureen, known around campus as Mo, is a senior in Arts & Science, majoring in Biology and Irish Studies.  She is interested in sustainability, and takes small steps throughout the day to decrease her impact on the environment.  Try some of Mo’s tips to help shrink your carbon footprint!

MO & PLASTIC BAGS

“I have stopped getting plastic bags in the cafeteria and bookstore and just put the things I buy in my backpack.”

Plastic bags have become an environmental nuisance over the years.  If you need a bag, try a reusable one, like your backpack.
If you have a stash of plastic bags in your house or dorm, recycle them at your local grocery store.  Drop-off locations near Boston College include:
Starmarket/Shaws
        1065 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02115 617-783-5878
        800 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02199 617-262-4688
        33 Kilmarnock Street Boston, MA 02215  617-267-4684
Trader Joe’s
        1317 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02446 Phone: 617-278-9997
        748 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: 617-491-8582
        899 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02115 Phone: 617-262-6505

Read the National Geographic article, Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment?

MO & PRINTING

“In class I talk to my teachers and make sure they accept assignments with printing on both sides. I also request that they use handouts with double-sided printing. Using both sides of the paper when printing is such an easy thing to do that can have a major impact on paper waste production.”

Boston College also recognizes the importance of reducing paper consumption.  As of August 6, 2007, students can print 500 pages per semester for free.  Once the quota is reached, students’ Eagle Bucks account will be charged 3 cents per page.  Although this limit has met some frustration with thesis-writing seniors (see Heights article below), the hope is that with the new program, students will think twice before printing something that in the long run will waste unnecessary amounts of paper as well as toner and electricity.  Due to exponential increases in paper and toner costs, and the volume of printing being done, it became necessary to look for ways to conserve.  Visit the Student Printing Policy’s website for answers to frequently asked questions.

See what The Heights has to say about the printing allocation.
BC to Limit the Student Printing to 500 Pages (May 3, 2007)
University Should Increase Print Limit (October 4, 2007)
Students, faculty and staff can easily conserve paper by printing double sided and reducing margins.

MO & RECYCLING TIPS

“When I go home I pass on the recycling tips I have learned from my friends and roommates at school.  My little cousins love breaking down cardboard boxes for recycling.”

Sometimes people don’t realize how easy it is to recycle.  Pass along any tips you might know to friends and family to encourage them to recycle more and become more environmentally friendly.  There are lots of good recycling activities for kids too:
Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania – Just for Kids Page
KidsRecycle.org
Recycle Works – Kids
EPA Environmental Kids Club

MO & RECYCLING AT BC

“Recycling at BC has become much more accessible since my freshman year. Four years ago there was only one recycling tote in my hallway and it was rarely full.  Now, living in Ignacio, there are two large recycling bins on each floor that typically fill up by the middle of the week.”

See our Future Plans Page to see what’s in store for other areas of sustainability at Boston College.