Pollution Prevention Week
September 19-25, 2021: Event Schedule
Friday Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 19:
- Ohio Pawpaw Festival: Rain Barrel Display & Storm Water Management Information, Rural Action's Sustainability Village, Lake Snowden, Albany, Ohio
- The Ohio Pawpaw Festival is a fun-filled, educational community event celebrating one of America’s largest native tree fruits, the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) and sustainable living. This all-weekend event includes a full line-up of presentations and activities that cover pawpaw uses and a multitude of topics related to sustainability.
Monday, Sept. 20:
- Pollution Prevention Week Kickoff, OHIO Office of Sustainability, Alumni Gate (Court & Union), 1-2pm: Learn how to get involved!
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Tuesday, Sept. 21:
- Pollution Prevention Information Table, Campus Recycling & Zero Waste, Baker Center, Ohio University, 9am-noon
- Video featuring Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors: Only Rain Down the Drain
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Wednesday, Sept. 22:
- Tap vs Bottled Water Challenge, OHIO Office of Sustainability, Alumni Gate, 12-1pm: Take the Taste Test! (Rescheduled to 9/29 due to weather)
- In 2019 the City of Athens Government Channel conducted "Word on the Street" video interviews during the week, asking residents questions about water:
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Thursday, Sept. 23:
- Video featuring Teresa Caldwell of the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District: Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels
- Rain Barrel Workshop, Athens Soil and Water Conservation District, Athens County Fairgrounds, 6:30-7:30pm : Information & Registration
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Friday, Sept. 24:
- The Jellyfish Garden: a plastic bag art installation, Campus Recycling & Zero Waste, Athens County Courthouse, 10am-2pm
- Campus Storm Drain Marking by Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors*
Saturday, Sept. 25:
- Hocking River Clean-up Sweep, Athens Soil and Water Conservation District, 9am-noon: Information & Registration
- To learn more about storm water pollution prevention in Athens see this video produced by the City of Athens and former OHIO student Valeska Silva Vasquez:
All events are free and open to the public, except marked with an asterisk (*). All events are tentative and are subject to change based on weather conditions. Check Ohio University Office of Sustainability Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@OHIOsustainable) and the City of Athens Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, (@cityofathensoh) The Government Channel and YouTube for Pollution Prevention Week postings and videos!
Additional Information:
In December 2017, Ohio University was granted a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In June that year, the City of Athens also received an MS4 permit. These permits required development and submission of a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP). Ohio University submitted their SWMP in conjunction with the City of Athens.
The SWMP contains 6 minimum control measures, one of which is Public Education. Ohio University suggested several Public Education measures to meet the EPA's requirements, including the celebration of Pollution Prevention Week. Since 2017 Pollution Prevention Week is recognized annually on the Ohio University campus and in the City of Athens.
Ohio University, the City of Athens, and the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank the following partners: Athens Hocking Recycling Centers, Campus Recycling & Zero Waste, Ohio University Office of Sustainability, City of Athens Government Channel, the Ohio University Sustainability Film Series, City of Athens Environment & Sustainability Commission, the Ohio University Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors and University Communications & Marketing.