A YEAR of POSITIVE CHANGE AHEAD! 

Dear sustainability family, 

I hope your January of 2021 is going well. 2021 shall be a year where we witness and be part of a positive change towards sustainable development at KAUST. 

If you would like to get even more involved in the discussion of making an impact, please join our What's App group here. 

1. Join our first General Body Meeting for 2021


We are committed to driving change towards sustainability with a positive impact, and we thrive to work in an open, dynamic, transparent, and respectful atmosphere. Join us this Sunday, January 17th at 5:00 pm to discuss our progress and have the opportunity to brainstorm better ideas and actions together.

2. Volunteer for Developing Innovative Plastic Vending Machines

Reuse

{Kees Chic} is developing a Vending Machine for plastic reuse with the core lab. {Kees Chic} is offering volunteering opportunities for those interested in developing the prototype. Please find the details attached. Apply by Jan 21, 2021. 

3. Plastic-Free Campus Action Camp


This virtual Plastic-Free Campus Action Camp, four-week course, happening from Feb. 2 - 25, will provide the basic background and organizing tools needed to jumpstart a plastics campaign on a campus. It is for students who are interested in making their school plastic- and waste-free long term.
 
4. 2021 Freezer Challenge


The Freezer Challenge is a cold storage competition for laboratories run by the non-profit organizations My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL). The challenge promotes sample accessibility, sample integrity, reduced costs, and energy efficiency by harnessing a spirit of competition within and between laboratories.

5. The S Square Sustainability Behavioral Challenge


Are you up for a behavioral challenge? Challenge yourself to take small positive actions for a better you and a better planet! Did you know that our daily life routines can have the biggest impacts on reversing global warming? Be the leader on committing to change that, when done collectively, can amount to a great global impact! This challenge is open to the entire KAUST community. Details are found in the attachment.

If you choose to compost your waste, I would like to clarify that what we meant by a local KAUST compositing program is the two bins in the community garden. Unfortunately, these can only be used by the community garden plot owners (Any KAUST resident can join the community garden). Nonetheless, don't let this stop you. Create your own by following the video by Zulma on How to compost? It is a great guide!

6. KAUST Sustainability Treasure Hunt


Get on your feet to explore campus and win a sustainable prize? (sorry to the ones far away!) This challenge is open to the entire KAUST community. Please see the details attached. 

 

7. S Square 2020 Yearbook


Lastly, If you have not had the chance to enjoy a glance at the 2020 of S Square, now is the time. View the 2020 yearbook designed beautifully by Zainab Hamood in the attachment.


Much peace and love, 

Eman M. Alhajji