The following was written by Landen Reier, a double major in biology and environmental science at UW-Superior, in recognition of Earth Week

When people—especially students—think about sustainability, they often imagine large-scale efforts like solar panels or wind turbines. However, there are many simpler, more affordable ways to live sustainably. One of the primary goals of the UWS Sustainability Club is not only to promote and maintain sustainable practices on campus but also to encourage students to incorporate sustainability into their everyday lives.

Our main objective with tabling was to raise awareness about the club and increase student involvement. Tabling allows us to engage students—particularly new ones—who may not know the club exists. It’s a low-pressure way to introduce what we do, showcase our community, and invite students to learn more without the immediate commitment of attending a meeting.

Another key purpose of tabling is to highlight existing sustainability initiatives on campus. One of our major programs is the Ozzi O2GO container system, which helps reduce single-use plastic waste by offering reusable to-go containers. We also operate the Free Store, where students and community members can pick up essential items like clothing, kitchenware, books, and more—all at no cost.

A final, and perhaps most popular, aspect of our tabling events is the giveaway items. This year, we focused on distributing sustainable alternatives to commonly used single-use products. As mentioned earlier, many people have misconceptions about sustainability being expensive or difficult. To challenge that perception, we gave away items such as bamboo utensil sets, canvas tote bags, and metal straws. We also held a raffle featuring eco-friendly household products like wool dryer balls, sustainable laundry detergent, and mesh produce bags.

These giveaways help students see how easy it can be to adopt more sustainable habits. By offering these items for free, we hope to remove barriers and provide a tangible first step toward more environmentally conscious living.