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Live music filled the University of Illinois-Champaign campus on April 12 as students and vendors celebrated Earth Month. The focus of the second annual Sustainapalooza event was to raise awareness on how people can pursue a more sustainable lifestyle.

“Our goal is kind of just to unite people on campus in the green space, and so we meet with faculty and administration to advocate for sustainability issues,” said Katherine Bruce, one of the six co-presidents of the student sustainability leadership council. 

“There really is no way to be completely sustainable, to leave no mark on the planet at this day and age. But I think just everybody putting their heart into it, putting your best faith effort into it, making small daily changes can really add up and make a big difference,” she said.

Sustainapalooza also featured the work of local businesses and student groups. 

InkGreen is a student group that practices ‘ink sustainability’ by converting old printer ink into markers. They also repurpose recycled wood for the packaging.

“When the printer prompts the user to get rid of the cartridge, there is still 60% of the ink left which damages landfills and ecosystems,” said InkGreen member Miya Malfait. “Living in a consumerist culture we go through so many products so often and resources are limited, it’s important to use what has already been created in a different way. So we can keep the life cycles of these things on and on.”

Engineers Without Borders is a nonprofit organization working on infrastructure projects with underserved communities. This includes a vehicle bridge in Malawi, water distribution in Rwanda and a movement to replace a water treatment plant in Woodford County, Illinois.

“I believe everybody should have a livable future. I want the happy children future as the Almater says. For them to have access to the same things that I am able to enjoy; clean air, beautiful environment, healthy way of life,” said Engineers Without Borders member Atticus Flassing. 

The beauty of the environment was captured with a 10-foot-tall Earth positioned in the middle of the quad. The message of many of the organizations is to create a world where Earth is appreciated and things can be recycled. 

This ‘no-waste’ state of mind extended to the event itself. Bruce said no materials that would end up in landfills were allowed to be sold or given out during the festivities.

“All the food and waste generated from the food trucks and the food vendors is all going to be completely compostable,” she said. “We hired a company from Chicago that’s going to bring compost bins down. The whole event, all the vendors had to comply.”