Wake Forest University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

The Office of Sustainability ran a campaign around school breaks to promote ride-sharing, first through Zimride, a private, online ride-sharing platform, and second through NC Share the Ride, to connect those looking for rides with those already planning trips. The campaign was organized by Office of Sustainability staff and supported by interns, Sustainability Ambassadors, and students in the ENV 301A course, Leadership for Sustainability. This tabling campaign took place around mealtimes in a variety of high-traffic areas on campus and utilized technology to encourage students, faculty, and staff to sign up for Zimride on the spot. They were further incentivized to post a ride by earning an entry into a drawing for a gift card. In addition to tabling, Office of Sustainability staff heavily promoted carpooling through social media, including with a "carpool karaoke" spoof starring the school's mascot. Furthermore, many Greeks Go Green representatives conducted tabling outreach with their Greek organizations in the spring.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving break, the outreach contributed to 71 new registrants and 42 new ride posts. An additional 12 new registrants and 19 new ride posts appeared during the outreach period prior to winter break, and roughly a dozen more were procured before spring break. These numbers do not include the hundreds of additional students, faculty, and staff who were made aware of the ride-sharing platforms and how they can personally benefit while simultaneously reducing their carbon emissions.

The Choose to Reuse campaign educates campus users on the importance of using a reusable water bottle or beverage thermos instead of a disposable water bottle or coffee cup. The campaign consists of an interactive quiz where participants are asked questions about bottled water consumption, how it contributes to climate change and waste, and what alternatives are available on campus. After completing the quiz, participants get a free reusable bottle adorned with a "Choose to Reuse" logo. Those who already own a reusable bottle may take a sticker to add to their bottle. Choose to Reuse is strategically implemented at key times throughout the academic year: - New Faculty Orientation: All new faculty come by the Office of Sustainability for their free reusable bottle and become acquainted with our mission, goals, and offerings. - Hit the Bricks: Office of Sustainability staff, interns, and Sustainability Ambassadors conduct the Choose to Reuse outreach at this annual day-long charity run around the quad. It is one of the most well-attended events on campus. - Students in the ENV 301A course, Leadership for Sustainability, all conducted target Choose to Reuse outreach with a targeted group of their choosing.

The campaign, which is supported by the installation of water bottle refill stations across campus, results in the reduction of the purchase of disposable water bottles. Visual assessments indicate that an increasingly large number of students are using reusable bottles, and this is confirmed by the frequency of use of the refill stations. To date, use of the stations has prevented the use of over 3 million disposable bottles. Demand for new stations continues to be strong, even with over 150 already in existence in campus. A survey sent to all on-campus residents in the spring of 2017 revealed that 84% of students consume 0-3 disposable bottles per week and only 3% consume more than 10 bottles per week.

A plant-forward dining campaign has encouraged students, faculty, and staff to prioritize plant-based foods over those derived from animals. Deacon Dining unveiled a new all-vegan station in the university's main dining hall in the spring of 2017. The station was promoted by dining services and the Office of Sustainability through social media and signage. Its popularity has exceeded expectations, even among those who do not identify as vegetarian or vegan, and has allowed for the preparation of fewer dishes with animal products, which has, in turn, allowed for the procurement of higher quality animal proteins.. Significant efforts have also been made through Aramark's Under the Oaks Catering (formerly Posh Plate) on campus. Numerous "Lunch and Learn" sessions have been offered to various departments on campus, and Catering Director Jessica Wallace has met with customers to promote plant-forward menus that are innovative and nutritious. There has been a steady increase in the number of plant-forward options being ordered and served across campus.