Environmental Action Meets Fun
The sweet spot for student organizations at Grinnell is where working for a good cause intersects with having a good time with friends. That’s exactly what members love about Student Environmental Committee (SEC) activities.
“It mixes doing good with having fun,” says SEC Treasurer Olivia Wang ’25, an international student from China.
SEC President Eleanor Hedges Duroy’s (’25) involvement with the group started almost as soon as she arrived on campus as a first-year student. “I knew coming into Grinnell that I wanted to pursue topics of sustainability and environmental activism, so being able to participate in an organization that focused on my passions was an amazing opportunity,” she says.
The SEC is run by students for students, focusing on sustainability close to home. “The main goal of SEC is to create environmental change on Grinnell’s campus,” Duroy says. SEC members work to create a more sustainable campus by engaging fellow students, brainstorming ideas, and fostering a cohesive and welcoming space to talk about environmental concerns. While projects range from the local (composting and recycling on campus) to larger issues such as carbon neutrality, the focus is on what Grinnellians can do to create a greener campus.
Duroy is particularly proud of a successful campaign to facilitate a switch from plastic containers and utensils to compostable ones in campus dining facilities.
In addition, the SEC organized an effort to clean up trash around Arbor Lake, a favorite local park. The SEC members collected several bags of trash while bonding and enjoying time with friends.
Wang is especially excited about a popular event known as Thing Swap, which happens a few times each semester. Students can bring items they no longer want — such as clothing, school supplies, and more — and swap them for other items. Thing Swap reduces waste and allows students to find things they need. Left-over items go to local thrift stores. “It’s super popular,” Wang says.
This semester, Thing Swap was part of a bigger “Earth Night” event that included a concert, flea market, and eco-friendly snacks.
Duroy says that if you’re a prospective student interested in working for environmental change, you should be sure to check out the SEC. “SEC aims to be an open organization that is welcoming to all students, regardless of majors or interests, as the environment is an issue that impacts everyone,” she says.
“We believe that through education, outreach, long-term projects, discussions, and hands-on events, we can inspire students to get involved or help to create change, both locally and worldwide,” Duroy says.