Campus Green Builder

By Marya McQuirter, PhD
chocolate & arugula

Go Green With the HUB
Photo Credit: Marya McQuirter

Every month, the Howard University Bookstore (HUB) creates and distributes a circular featuring their merchandise. I picked up the February issue and was elated to see their Go Green With the HUB theme!

For the HUB, going green means selling eco-friendly products, supporting local businesses and eating vegan food. The HUB sells a number of eco-friendly products, including reusable bags. Their promotion of this particular item coincided with the DC government's bag tax implementation on 1 January 2010. With the tax, businesses are required to charge 5 cents for each disposable carryout bag it provides to customers. The HUB also sells eco-friendly beauty & bath products, audio equipment, recyclable coffee cups and more.

Howardites at Sticky Fingers
Photo Credit: Marya McQuirter

The HUB partnered with Sticky Fingers Bakery, a local vegan bakery located near Howard University. I love the photos of Howard students @Sticky Fingers eating their famous cupcakes. (They are delicious!) I love that the HUB is linking being green with eating vegan food.

The HUB, the university's main bookstore, is definitely contributing to Howard University's green profile. While its green-themed issue may not register on any green lists, it is clearly effective in advancing green among students, faculty, alumni and DC residents.
 

Marya McQuirter, PhD is a sustainability consultant, scholar and blogger based in Washington, DC. She works with universities, businesses and non-profits on researching, writing and marketing their sustainability portfolios. She also lectures widely on sustainability and writes about sustainability on her blog, chocolate & arugula.