Today on the Stauffer-Flint Hall lawn, KU students will learn just how wasteful they really are.

A collaboration of KU environmental groups will hold the Wescoe Hall Trash Audit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will collect all the items from trash cans on the fourth floor of Wescoe Hall to demonstrate what could have been recycled.

“There are plenty of opportunities to recycle, but students think it is more convenient to throw stuff away in the nearest trash can when, really, it is just as easy to take your plastic water bottle to the next recycle bin,” said Kristan Seibel, chairwoman for the Environmental Advisory Board.

Jeff Severin, manager of the KU Environmental Stewardship Program, said last year’s audit revealed that newspapers made up 46 percent of the trash weight. Seibel predicted that this year’s percentage would be lower because of an increase in recycling bins in campus buildings. However, she urged students to make a habit out of using the bins.

The trash audit is just one of the campus events to celebrate this Friday’s Earth Day. Other events include an informational fair tomorrow where KU environmental groups will share ways to reduce energy consumption while providing snow cones and popcorn, and a recyclables drop-off outside the Student Recreation Fitness Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

The city of Lawrence will also be environmentally conscious this weekend, celebrating its fifth annual Earth Day downtown. The event has grown from year to year, said Mollie Mangerich, operations supervisor of the Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling division. This year’s theme, “Be a Vehicle for Change,” promotes using alternative modes of transportation to reduce air pollution.

“The rising price of fuel makes it a great time to get people out of vehicles,” Mangerich said.

Energy consumption is also a concern for Karl Brooks, assistant professor of environmental studies and history. He said he would like to see an improvement in the use of the mass transit system. He encouraged students to use the bus system, rather than their own vehicles, to get to campus.

Brooks said he had faith that KU students desired to help the environment.

“I believe KU students have the heart, but let the wallets follow,” he said.

The first American Earth Day celebration in 1970 was centered around students trying to gain the attention of politicians and financial supporters.

Under the guidance of former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, thousands of college students organized a nationwide grassroots protest to make environmental issues part of the government’s priorities.

Nelson infused the student anti-Vietnam war energy into the environmental cause to force it on the political agenda. Nelson filled his staff with students and appointed Denis Hayes, a Stanford graduate, as coordinator of activities.

Thousands of schools, along with 20 million demonstrators and local communities, came together to protest and rally for political support. In 1971, Nelson announced an “Earth Week” for the third week of April. Soon after, the Environmental Protection Agency was established, demonstrating the impact of this collaborative effort.

Lawrence Earth day events 2005

Today

Wescoe Hall Trash Audit 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Stauffer-Flint Hall lawn. KU environmental organizations will sort through trash from the fourth floor of Wescoe Hall to show how much could be recycled.

Tomorrow

KU’s Earth Day Fair All day, Watson Library front lawn Kite flying, snow cones and popcorn will be provided, along with information on energy reduction KU organizations.

SUA’s Open Forum: The Environment 11:30 a.m. to1 p.m., Wescoe Beach Anyone can debate environmental issues with other KU students.

Thursday

Lada Salon & Spa Fashion Show 8 to 10 p.m., The Granada Theater Lada Salon & Spa has partnered with other businesses for a fashion show to benefit the Haskell-Baker Wetlands. Tickets are $10.

Friday

Recycling Drop Off 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Student Recreation Fitness Center. Available to KU students, faculty and staff.

Saturday

Free Ridership Day All day, throughout Lawrence Ride the Lawrence Transit buses, the “T,” for free.

Fifth Annual Parade for the Earth Starts at 10:45 a.m., Massachusetts Street Parade goes south, concluding at South Park.

Celebration in the ParkNoon to 4 p.m., South Park Live bands, information fair, free kids’ activities and more.

Sources: KU Environs, Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling and

Student Union Activities