By Lyndsey Peace, Editor-in-Chief
The Hunter Gatherers, Travelers is a student organization that promotes a “Christ-like lifestyle while appreciating God’s creation through conservation, travel and exploration.” Although recent changes to Abilene’s recycling program have caused issues for the club, the members are actively brainstorming new ways to remain environmentally friendly.
The Hunter Gatherers, Travelers was originally a living learning community and the students in that FYSM lived in Hunter Hall. The students’ main responsibilities were to pick up recycling in the different buildings across campus.
This all changed in the fall of 2017 when the Hunter Gatherers, Travelers transitioned to being an organization. During this transition, ABM took over recycling on campus, so the students involved in the organization no longer had control.
As the Hunter Gatherers, Travelers adjusted to being an organization, the students looked for new ways to be environmentally friendly on campus. Last year they started recycling at the University Place Apartments.
Yet, they faced another obstacle when Abilene announced this past July that the city would no longer accept recycling for plastics, aluminum cans or glass bottles. Since then, the club has stopped recycling at the apartments. Students in HGT have fiercely tried to figure out a new plan.
“We’ve brainstormed so many ways to reserve resources and promote sustainability,” said Lucas Pruitt, senior exercise science major and president of the Hunter Gatherers, Travelers.
But creating a plan to make an environmental impact on campus has proved challenging for HGT, especially when faced with the reality that a lot of students are uneducated about the consequences of their actions.
“Students don’t know. Obviously, they've heard of climate change, but I don’t think they’ve experienced firsthand what our environment is going through. They aren't educated about the true harm,” Pruitt said.
The Hunter Gatherers, Travelers want students to recognize the importance of loving the Earth in the context of a Christian university.
“As Christians we believe in our Creator and we believe God gave us this earth for us, so we need to repay God by taking care of our planet,” Pruitt said.
Abilene’s recycling restrictions have completely changed the process for recycling, but the students in Hunter Gatherers, Travelers do not want students to give up.
“What limited recycling we can do we should be doing it,” Pruitt said.
Pruitt suggests limiting your one-time plastic use. For instance, instead of drinking plastic water bottles every day, buy a reusable water bottle. This may seem like a small change, but do not let yourself believe the commonly held belief that you cannot make a difference.
“As an individual, you are either contributing or you’re not. It may not seem like you are making an impact but also at the end of the day you are not continuing the problem,” Pruitt said.
If you are passionate about sustainability, recycling and loving the Earth, reach out to any of the executive members of the Hunter Gatherers, Travelers Club, including President Lucas Pruitt, Vice President Caroline Beaty, Secretary Sarah Higgins, Treasurer Karina Hau and Chaplain Caleb Rosenblad.
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