With the goal of making a difference in the community, No Impact Week is returning to Penn State this coming Sunday with the help of the Eco-Reps.

No Impact Week was originally inspired by Colin Beavan as an experiment for the community, challenging them to live a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle. Colin spread his message through his no impact year, documented in his book and film titled “No Impact Man“. The experiment will begin on Sunday, and will put participants through a series of eight daily challenges that will continue on throughout the week. Challenges range from efforts such as decreasing trash production and residence hall energy use to eating sustainably. The week will wrap up with a “Day of Giving Back” at the Penn State recycling center on February 8.

“No Impact Week is an easy way to make a difference for the environment and for Penn State. We think it will also lead to a sense of personal fulfillment, and be a lot of fun,” said event organizer Andy Narotsky. “No Impact Week is not about telling people to sacrifice something. It’s more about being open to a new way of living that is better for both people and the planet.”

Starting on February 2, events will be held in Findlay Commons by the Eco-Reps to encourage student participation. The schedule of No Impact Week events will look like this:

Sunday, 2/2 – Consumption

Clothing Swap, Findlay Commons, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Swap your clothes for something more exciting to increase your wardrobe and decrease your consumption! Bring gently used, clean clothes to swap with other Penn Staters.

Monday, 2/3 – Trash

Craft Night, 124 Findlay, 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Turn trash into treasure! Build crafts with (clean) trash. 

Tuesday, 2/4 – Transportation

Transportation Expo, Findlay Commons, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Learn how to save money when you travel home, be happier, and lost weight. Plus, they’re giving away a free bike.  

Wednesday, 2/5 – Food

Local Food Exploration, Findlay Commons, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Try some local food samples and learn about the benefits to you and the environment of eating local.

Thursday, 2/6 – Energy

Energy Audits, Findlay Commons, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Learn how to reduce your energy use and use a bike to make smoothies.

Friday, 2/7 – Water

The Tap Challenge, Findlay Commons, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Do you know how much money you are spending on bottled water each semester? Take on the Tap Challenge and put money back in your pocket.

Saturday, 2/8 – Giving Back, Volunteering, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Help clean up Penn State’s recycling center. Meet at the basketball courts outside Findlay.

Students can sign up for No Impact Week by registering here.

With the help of the Penn State community, No Impact Week can help open our eyes to eco-friendly living and make Penn State a much happier, greener campus.