As you descend into the Hathaway Brown Atrium this week, it's hard to ignore the herd of cardboard elephants huddled in a circle. At first glance, the display appears to be a demonstration of student artwork, but upon further examination its true purpose is revealed. The installation, titled "Elephant in the Room," is part of the Center for Sustainability's efforts to promote discussion about waste reduction and the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. "Nobody really wants to talk about waste," said Center for Sustainability Director Torrey McMillan '90. "It's easier to just think about waste going away."
Made from old boxes and science fair projects, each elephant carries a common form of household waste and has an information sheet on its saddle with suggestions about how to reduce, reuse and recycle that type of item, as well as background information on the item as part of our waste stream. Inspiration for this exhibit was taken from Sustainable Cleveland's "Year of Zero Waste" initiative.
But the elephants', nor the Center's, efforts end in the Atrium. Soon, the elephants will travel to various locations on HB's campus to promote further discussion about waste reduction, and the Center will be restarting its school-wide food waste composting program this month.