Are you a student who is passionate about sustainability and what happens to our Earth? Are you looking to advocate for this beautiful planet and drive others to do the same? Then look no further than Eco-Reps!

Missouri State University Eco-Reps is a program where students can help create a more sustainable campus and community. They plan outreach activities such as RecycleMania and Flip The Switch. The overall goal of the Eco-Reps team is to provide sustainability education to students, as well as increase involvement and encourage behavior change. Not to mention that involvement with the Eco-Reps counts as service hours.

The Missouri State Eco-Reps recently helped set up Trash Connection, the sustainability exhibit for Public Affairs Week. Decorations were created using trash, showing that almost anything can be reused. Students got to enjoy chips and dip as they expressed what sustainability meant to them. They also took part in the photo booth, complete with props that were also made of trash. Participation in the photo booth allowed students to participate in a social media contest. This was a no-waste event, so everything that was used was later recycled, composted, or given away.

Eco-Reps are expected to introduce students to the concept of sustainability and educate them about why it’s important. They also teach students how to live more sustainable lives, particularly in the college setting as well as in the Springfield community.

Not only are Eco-Reps teachers, they are also leaders, motivators, and activists. They show passion for what they do and are proud of their accomplishments. Eco-Reps receive training for each topic they cover to effectively engage with students. These topics include recycling, energy, conservation, sustainable transportation and more. They are also expected to participate in at least two hours of outreach activities each month.

Here are some testimonials from some active members of Eco-Reps:

“I joined Eco-Reps because I wanted to surround myself with people who had the same thoughts about the planet as I did. I’ve learned there are so many people who have the same passions as I do and being able to express ideas about how to make our campus and world a better place together has been a very cool experience. If you love the environment you should join Eco-Reps because getting other people excited about something you love is an amazing thing.” -Sara

“Eco-Reps is a great way to get involved on campus and get to know the behind the scenes work on making our university more sustainable.” -Eva

“I joined Eco Reps because it has allowed me to work with other students to learn about sustainability through service projects at a place that I spend a great deal of time, campus. I can then take the knowledge that I learned on campus and implement it in my everyday life.” – Bailey

Meet the current Eco-Reps and apply to join the team!