UALR will celebrate Earth Day Thursday, April 19, with a full day of recycling and sustainability activities such as collecting recyclables at a convenient drop-off location to teaching kids how to cook with healthy organic foods.

Recycling Drop-Off & Tire Pressure Check
Throughout the day from 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., volunteers will be collecting recyclables at stations in Lot 15 at the corner of Fair Park Avenue and 28th Street.

Drivers also can get their tire pressure checked to make sure they aren’t wasting gas because of improperly inflated tires.

Examples of items being accepted for recycling include:

• Batteries
• Linens, blankets, towels, and pillowcases
• Books and other periodicals
• Household electronics, including microwaves, televisions, and small appliances
• Consumer electronics, including old cell phones and computers
• Other recyclables such as paper goods, light bulbs, plastics, and household chemicals in small quantities.

Earth Day Booths, Activities & Prizes at the Diamond Cafe
Students, faculty, and staff can celebrate the earth at the Donaghey Student Center’s Diamond Cafe from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at more than 20 Earth Day booths. There will be giveaways, prizes, and more information about living a sustainable lifestyle.

Organizations represented will include the Sierra Club, UALR Print Shop, Net Impact, Whole Foods, Farm2Work, Office of Facilities Management, Global Issues, Global Studies, The Forum, Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas, and more.

The Anthropology Club will hold a bake sale with proceeds benefiting the UALR Campus Garden Project, and the club will offer a raffle drawing for a basket of fresh local goodies.

“We aim to create an educational and cooperative community space that will allow students and community members to better understand the relationship of humans to our landscape and the sustainable possibilities it holds, beginning with our local situation right here in central Arkansas,” said Dr. Krista Lewis, archaeobotanist and assistant professor of anthropology at UALR.

Choose to Reuse Program Launch
Officials of UALR’s Dining Services will launch its “Choose to Reuse” program between 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Diners can forgo using foam food containers in favor of sustainable, washable, microwavable mugs and clamshell-style food containers that can dramatically reduce waste.

“Diners who choose to participate can make a one-time purchase of a heavy plastic food container for $3.50 and a 16-ounce refillable mug for $2.50, and after use, turn the food container in for a token to be used at the next meal. Diners keep their mugs,” said Justin Roberson, marketing coordinator for Sodexo.

Recycled Newspaper Fashion Show
At 12:30 p.m., the UALR student newspaper, the Forum, will sponsor the Recycled Newspaper Fashion Show where designers will present styles made from recycled newspapers.

Kid’s Organic/Healthy Cooking Show
At 3:30 p.m., Sodexo executive Chef Sebastian Jakupovic will present a Kids Organic Cooking Show for children in UALR Children International’s after school club.

See a full list of the UALR Campus Earth Day schedule of activities.