Finance and Administration News
Residents strive for sustainable living this winter
Living sustainably during the winter months can be a challenge. Most American households significantly increase their waste production over the holidays and use more energy to keep their homes warm.
According to WifiTalents, holiday waste “surged” 25% during Christmas in 2025.
“Just by nature, our society makes sustainability really pretty difficult,” Athens resident Loraine McCosker said. “But it can be done, and certainly a lot of people have been doing it for a long time.”
Using sustainable practices during the winter might be a challenge city residents are ready to tackle.
“I think it's really neat in Athens because we have a sort of local community that really highly values the environment and sustainability,” Sam Crowl, Athens City Council president and director of sustainability at Ohio University, said.
Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Seminar: Organic Waste Management Strategies that Generate Value for Campus and Community
It was a privilege to attend the Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Seminar on Nov. 24, focusing on "Organic Waste Management Strategies that Generate Value for Campus and Community."
As a student working with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, it was inspiring to see how closely our school is tied to these critical regional sustainability efforts, especially since the event was moderated Dr. Sara Davis, the Sustainability Infrastructure Hub coordinator. The seminar, which featured a diverse panel of experts, hammered home a key idea of sustainability is much more than just taking out the trash, it’s about leadership, policy, and creating true value from waste, specifically focusing on organic waste (food, agriculture waste, and bio solids).
The discussion centered on how local partnerships are making Athens a leader in the state.