Pollution Prevention Week
September 17-23, 2023: Event Schedule
Monday, Sept. 18:
- Pollution Prevention Week Kickoff: Athens ReThink Plastics @ Alumni Gate, 12-1pm
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Tuesday, Sept. 19:
- Video featuring Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors: Only Rain Down the Drain
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Wednesday, Sept. 20:
- The Jellyfish Garden: Make Art Not Waste, Campus Recycling & Zero Waste, College Green, 10am-2pm
- Tap vs Bottled Water Challenge, Office of Sustainability, Alumni Gate, 12-1pm: Take the Taste Test!
- In 2019 the City of Athens Government Channel conducted "Word on the Street" video interviews during the week, asking residents questions about water:
Thursday, Sept. 21:
- Video featuring Teresa Caldwell of the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District: Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels
- Athens Soil and Water Conservation District Storm Water Display & Information, Baker Center, 1-3pm
- Athens ReThink Plastics, Baker Center, 1-3pm
Friday, Sept. 22:
- City Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors* with the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District and City of Athens
Saturday, Sept. 23:
- To learn more about storm water pollution prevention in Athens see this video produced by the City of Athens and former OHIO student Valeska Silva Vasquez:
All events are free and open to the public, except marked with an asterisk (*). All events are tentative and are subject to change based on weather conditions. Check Ohio University Office of Sustainability Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@OHIOsustainable) and the City of Athens Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, (@cityofathensoh) The Government Channel and YouTube for Pollution Prevention Week postings and videos!
Additional Information:
In December 2017, Ohio University was granted a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In June that year, the City of Athens also received an MS4 permit. The permit was renewed in 2022. These permits required development and submission of a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP). Ohio University submitted their SWMP in conjunction with the City of Athens.
The SWMP contains 6 minimum control measures, one of which is Public Education. Ohio University suggested several Public Education measures to meet the EPA's requirements, including the celebration of Pollution Prevention Week. Since 2017 Pollution Prevention Week has been recognized annually on the Ohio University campus and in the City of Athens.
Ohio University, the City of Athens, and the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank the following partners: Athens Hocking Recycling Centers, Campus Recycling & Zero Waste, Ohio University Office of Sustainability, City of Athens Government Channel, the Ohio University Sustainability Film Series, City of Athens Environment & Sustainability Commission, the Ohio University Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors and University Communications & Marketing.