This semester, ATO of Massachusetts GreEco-Reps Grace Aro, A17, and Matt Stewart, A19, initiated the chapter’s first semester-long environmental challenge. Members are encouraged to incorporate environmentally friendly habits into their daily routine, and are awarded a certain number of points for each eco-friendly act they perform.

Points are tabulated by Aro and Stewart, who keep track of the sustainable acts through Snapchats from members. At the end of the semester, the member with the most points wins a prize of their choosing. Each member receives one point and a “Green Greeks” sticker for their first green act, and then one point for each act thereafter. For example, requesting and using a compost bin for your apartment, dorm, etc. is ten points. Compost bins are worth the most points because one of the GreEco Rep goals for this year has been to get all the houses with GreEco Reps to compost. Additionally, having a compost bin is more work than most other sustainable tasks, and Aro wanted that level of commitment to be recognized.

This semester, the GreEco Reps are encouraging their communities to try small actions that can be done every day. However, Aro finds that for some, doing these things feels inconvenient or difficult to remember. To combat this, Aro was inspired to start a competition. She realized that members would be more likely to be convinced to make small, positive changes to their daily routines if they could win prizes. According to Aro, the competition is popular so far, with 18 active participants and 5 new composters, although members need the occasional reminder at weekly chapter meetings. Since Aro and Stewart brought the idea forward, Delta Tau Delta and Chi Omega have started their own green competitions.