By Ella Doherty
I’ve always been inspired to find new ways to become a better steward of the natural world. After earning my undergraduate degree, I sought a role that would allow me to make a difference and give back to the community where I grew up in New Hampshire. That journey led me to AmeriCorps, where I now serve through Campus Compact in their program, Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC).
CCAC is a national program that places AmeriCorps members in colleges and universities across the country to create community-led climate action projects and events. These initiatives drive meaningful changes that increase awareness of environmental issues, reduce energy use, and improve ecosystem health. One of its 11 program sites is Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH.
Colby-Sawyer is an innovative liberal arts college located in the Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire. It is a recognized leader in New England for its sustainability measures, including operating on 100% renewable energy, committing to carbon neutrality by 2050, and “embedding a whole-systems sustainability approach across the campus”. Although, what truly sets Colby-Sawyer apart is the surrounding community of New London. Local residents are eager to get involved, especially when it comes to environmental initiatives. The area is home to numerous government groups, nonprofits, startups, and businesses, all committed to building a more sustainable future.
New London Waste Reduction Committee . They championed the initiative, “Styrofoam Collection Day.” First launched in October 2023, the event was so successful that the committee now holds it regularly at the request of local residents. Collected Styrofoam is sent to the Gilford Recycling Center in Gilford, NH, where it is recycled into insulating sheets for the building industry.
Styrofoam, or polystyrene, is a synthetic polymer widely used in packaging for food, medical products, furniture, and more. Despite its versatility, it is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its lightweight, bulky nature. Over 15 million metric tons of Styrofoam are produced annually, yet less than 1% is recycled (Coelho, 2022). Most community recycling centers lack the compaction and densification equipment necessary to process it, causing most polystyrene to end up in landfills. There, it decomposes slowly, releasing methane gas (Chandra et al., 2016), a major contributor to climate change. Diverting Styrofoam from landfills helps reduce the need for new production and mitigates its overall environmental impact.
This year, committee member John Ellis approached me with the idea of Colby-Sawyer participating in the event, marking the first time the college had joined what is typically a town-focused effort. During the week of November 2nd, I organized a collection area for students, staff, and faculty to drop off their accumulated Styrofoam. That Saturday the Styrofoam was taken by committee members to Gilford to be reused. I could never have anticipated the level of participation from the college, especially being less than two months into this role.
Colby-Sawyer contributed six 50-gallon bags filled with Styrofoam to the collection day, resulting in over 100 pounds of material being gathered from the community overall. Our contributions included materials from science and nursing labs, such as containers for devices, products, and chemicals, as well as blocks from household deliveries like televisions, microwaves, and mirrors. We even collected packaging from technology deliveries, including computers and tablets. Donations came from the science, studio art, nursing, and humanities departments, as well as from students. Some who had saved the Styrofoam since move-in day, unsure of how to dispose of it.
This seemingly small effort to properly recycle used Styrofoam meaningfully reduced the town’s environmental footprint. It serves as a powerful reminder of how collective action, even in small communities, can contribute to solving large challenges. I am incredibly grateful for this experience and excited to continue building and strengthening the community relationships I’ve already formed.
Learn more about CCAC, AmeriCorps, and the impactful work we're doing.