Sustainable Living Fair encourages ‘green’ lifestyle

Some UB staff members will show their university colleagues how to live a “greener” life and help reduce their environmental footprint at the eighth annual UB Sustainable Living Fair on Sept. 29.  

The free fair, open to all members of the UB community, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union, North Campus. It is sponsored by the Professional Staff Senate, UB Office of Sustainability and Campus Dining and Shops (CDS).

“We are thrilled to continue to offer this annual event to heighten sustainability,” says event co-chair Janiece Jankowski, circulation manager for the UB Libraries, Delivery Services. “We have consulted our on-campus experts in order to select the 35 best vendors to address our community’s sustainability needs, as well as partnering with Campus Dining and Shops, which is featuring the Pride of New York.”

The Pride of New York program showcases organic and local produce, dairy products and fresh baked goods from Western New York farms, fields and kitchens.

This year, UB staff members were encouraged to join with outside vendors and showcase their sustainable efforts and share their ways of going green.     

Outside vendors include representatives from local and national nonprofit organizations, businesses and clubs, among them Feel Rite Fresh Markets, the Lexington Co-op, Solar Liberty, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and Greater Buffalo Recycling.   

Campus-based organizations taking part in the fair include the Office of Sustainability, Outdoor Pursuits, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Campus Living Eco-Reps, Career Services and Parking and Transportation Services.   

Those who attend can relax with therapy dogs, meet rescued birds or take a paddle boat out on Lake LaSalle while taking advantage of free samples, door prizes and demonstrations. A Goodwill truck will be parked in front of the Student Union so that attendees can donate gently used clothing, household goods, furniture, electronics and books.           

More information about the fair and a full list of vendors can be found on the Professional Staff Senate website.