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NEOHBots News
NEOHBOTS NEWS
Issue 4, 11/22/2015
INTERVIEW WITH ZACH
FROM ZERO WASTE
IMPORTANT
DATES
Zach from Zero Waste sat down with us to
discuss sustainability, recycling, and FLL.
The where, when,
who of upcoming FLL
and NEOHBots
events.
ZACH’S GOAL – ZERO WASTE
This year’s mission has inspired NEOHBots to
join in on the Zero Waste mission! This year’s
district event will feature a ZERO WASTE goal.
Zach from Zero Waste gives us the scoop!
In preparation for the big FLL District Event
at the University of Akron in, we sat down
with Zach from Zero Waste to discuss
trash, recycling, and sustainability. Zach
has been involved with recycling and
sustainability for several years.
recyclable,” said Zach. Paying attention to
the recycling codes on products will tell you
whether or not they can be sustainably
recycled or reused.
“There are a lot of different products that
could be recycled into pieces of art. I know
As far as Zero Waste, he was exposed to a lot of teachers who are looking for
that first at an event in Chicago. Ever cardboard tubes for their classroom,” he
since, Zach has been on a mission to added.
“create as little waste as [he] can” with the
ultimate goal of creating no waste. He Further, he suggests that we are consumers
plans to do this by assisting his community should support local restaurants, grocery
with composting, recycling, and generally stores, and businesses that are “going
helping people be more mindful when it green.” Next time you’re out for dinner or
picking up something at the grocery store,
comes to waste materials.
ask someone what they do with food waste:
“I try not to buy products that aren’t Do they compost it? Do they donate unused
food? Where does that food waste go?
In regards to the easiest methods to create a
greener environment, Zach says that really
just by simply recycling we can make a big
difference.
“The first step is to get people to recycle
everywhere. There are large parts of Main
Street in Akron that do not recycle.”
Then, he suggests, the focus should be on
composting food waste. “Composting is
beneficial to farmers. Food waste could be
used by farmers and it’s harmful when it
ends up in landfills because it creates
methane gas,” says Zach.
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NEOHBots News
Issue 4, 11/22/2015
Connect with Us!
Join us on Facebook!
NEOHBots FLL Connections
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Learn more about NEOHBots at
https://www.neohstem.org/neohbots.php
Anything in red or underlined can be selected
and you will go right to that link.
Many local restaurants in the Akron
area compost their uneaten or used
foods such as Urban Eats, Crave, and
Julie’s Kitchen. In fact, Urban Eats used
to use Styrofoam, a product that doesn’t
naturally decompose, cups for their hot
beverages. But, because they wanted to
be more environmentally friendly, they
have since switched to a recyclable
alternative.
“Restaurants and grocery stores want to
please their customers. Tell them that
recycling and sustainability is what you
are looking for and they’ll try to make
the change,” adds Zach.
Are you trying to make your school
more sustainable? Zach has some ideas
to get the green ball rolling in your
school. “There is an awful lot that
students can do to make their schools
more eco-friendly. A place a lot of
schools start with is in the cafeteria.
They focus on what they can do to
recycle wasted food. If they have a
good idea and bring it to the
administration, good things can happen.
Old Trail’s School has a pretty fantastic
zero waste program.”
It’s great when students get excited about
going green because they can share with
their parents and grandparents about the
importance of recycling, composting, and
sustainability. “If we want to see a change in
our environment, we need to start with
students because it’s easy to get into the
habit of recycling then.”
Zach also suggests planting a garden at
home so families don’t have to go out to buy
groceries as much. “Recycling and
composting is fun!”
This year’s district event at Akron will be a
Zero Waste event. Recently, Zero Waste
was involved with Highland Square’s festival
‘Porch Rokr”. There were over 10,000
people in attendance and only eight bags of
waste. “Next year will be more successful
because we will be involved in the planning
process,” adds Zach.
He attended this year’s Trash Trek Rally and
Test Run and was able to see a couple of the
teams practice their Projects. “The kids have
good ideas and I’m excited to see what they
can get done! It’s powerful and awesome.
It’s great to see them excited about helping
the community and getting involved in the
world.”
Should you have any questions surrounding Volunteering please feel free to contact Karen
Plaster [email protected] with questions
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
UPCOMING EVENTS
REGIONAL
• Dec. 5 – Cleveland Orchard STEM School
• Dec. 12 – Solon
• Dec. 13 – Kirtland HS
DISTRICT
• Jan. 9, 2016 – University of Akron
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
FIRST Lego League volunteers are
8,000+ strong. From college students,
to teachers, to parents, to FIRST
alumni, sponsors, and friends, FLL
volunteers embark on their own
journey, learning and growing along
with the FLL participants.
FLL Volunteers can mentor and help
teams through coaching, judge or
volunteer at a FLL event! Each FLL
event takes the coordinator,
teamwork, and leadership of many
individuals.
We need you!
Register today at:
http://goo.gl/forms/S2V2WhtRm0