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Inside Cal Poly

October is finally upon us which means that it is officially sustainability month! What better way to kick off the month than with a little introduction into all thing’s sustainability and recycling on campus?



Cal Poly is constantly working towards being a “Zero Waste” university. This means minimizing waste, reducing consumption, and ensuring that products are made to be reused or recycled. This requires effort from each and every member of the campus community.



You don’t have to be an expert in sustainability practices to get started. In fact, there are a few ways that you can improve your habits quickly and effectively.



The Refuse, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) campaign is an easy, free and accessible training created to teach students, staff and faculty how to recycle and compost on campus properly. The training consists of a video series, interactive flash cards and a club that students will soon be able to join to further support recycling initiatives. You can access this training&nbsp;<a href="https://sway.office.com/cyuAuFFZNMWxYhqn?ref=Link">here</a>.



Cal Poly also has a Zero Waste Ambassadors program which brings like-minded student volunteers to campus events to help peers recycle and compost the correct way. These ambassadors work towards zero waste efforts by hosting tablings to educate students, improving signage that promotes sustainable practices, and coming up with new innovative initiatives like CP thrift.



While you’re at it, make sure to look out for the CalRecycle grant campaign “<a href="https://inside.calpoly.edu/sustainability-to-launch-recycling-campaign/">Recycling – It’s time well spent!”</a>. This campaign highlights the amount of time recycling saves in terms of breaking down waste which can take hundreds of years to decompose. This campaign will be highly active during Sustainability Month where the team will be hosting info sessions and contests.



Lastly, in honor of sustainability month, Green Campus is hosting many events to promote sustainability efforts on campus. A few of these events include a garden workday from Campus Health and Wellbeing and the University Honors Program on Oct. 16, a clothing and goods swap on Oct. 19, a Surfrider Voice Above Water screening, and more. Register and learn more about these events&nbsp;here.

Two people walking on a dirt path in a lush green hilly landscape under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Sustainability Month Happenings on Campus

Quick Facts:



· Canned pumpkin can be added to almost any meal. Try adding it to oatmeal for a hot breakfast filled with fiber!



· A pumpkin is actually both a fruit and a berry, belonging to the Gourd family.



· Pumpkin seeds are edible and can be roasted as a snack.



· Watch out! Your pumpkin spice latte hardly contains any trace of the fruit. Heat up some pumpkin and sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on it instead.



Don’t let pumpkins fool you this year when they’re in their ‘jack-o’-lantern’ state, because this superfood is loaded with antioxidants and disease fighting vitamins that will leave you saying “Oh my Gourd!”



Ranging in size from less than a pound to more than 1,000 pounds, there are many benefits to eating pumpkin. The first benefit is its bright orange color. The power behind a pumpkin’s color comes from beta-carotene, a provitamin that is converted to Vitamin A. On top of that, every single part of a pumpkin is edible: the skin, flower, pulp, leaves, and seeds. Plus, consuming one cup of canned pumpkin can provide about 200 percent of our daily recommended intake of Vitamin A. This ensures that your eyes, skin, and bones will stay healthy.



At your next pumpkin carving party, save the seeds! Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid tryptophan which is important in the creation of serotonin. This plays an important role in balancing our mood — especially for that big presentation coming up. With about 300 seeds to a pumpkin, they can make a great snack that will last you the whole week. Toss them on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt, and your favorite sweet or spicy topping. Get creative!



Coming from the Rec center? Refuel with some pumpkin soup as pumpkin is a great source of potassium (even more than a banana), which can help keep muscles functioning at their best.

Four pumpkins surrounding the text "pumped for pumpkin October superfood Find it at salad bars across campus.

Tag: October

Sustainability Month Happenings on Campus

Pumped For Pumpkin