Pollution Prevention Week features events for University, local community

September 2020 marks the 30^th anniversary of the U.S. Pollution Prevention Act, legislation that has helped create success across the nation in reducing or eliminating sources of pollution to prevent damage to the environment while also eliminating the need for costly controls and cleanup. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Ohio University, the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District and the City of Athens are collaborating to celebrate what the Environmental Protection Agency now recognizes as Pollution Prevention Week (September 21-27) with a series of public events.

The week will feature the Pollution Prevention (P2) Challenge, which invites students and community members to take part in a socially distanced scavenger hunt concerning storm water pollution and win prizes by submitting their discoveries via email.

Additional activities include “The Jellyfish Garden,” an interactive art installation highlighting the importance of plastic bag reduction; a virtual Athena Cinema showing of the award-winning film “Mossville: When Great Trees Fall;” and week-long marking of storm drains by OHIO Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors in order to help keep pollution from reaching the Hocking River. 

“P2 Week is an opportunity to emphasize pollution prevention and sustainability activities and achievements, expand current pollution prevention efforts, and to commit to new actions” said city council member Sam Crowl, who also works for Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability.  

The EPA has suggested that pollution prevention is the key to saving Earth’s resources and moving toward sustainability.

In 2017 Ohio University and the City of Athens were granted Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits from the Ohio EPA. These permits required development and submission of a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP), which the university and city jointly submitted. Public education being a vital part of the program, the two entities annually recognize P2 Week with numerous activities, all free and open to the public.  Details can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/pollution-prevention-week.

Pollution Prevention Challenge, all week: instructions

Monday, Sept. 21:

Pollution Prevention Week Kickoff

Tuesday, Sept. 22:

Socially Distant Storm Drain Marking by Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors

Wednesday, Sept. 23:

The Jellyfish Garden: a plastic bag reduction art installation, Athens County Courthouse 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (alternate location: Howard Park)

"Mossville” showing virtually from the Athena Cinema, Ohio University Sustainability Film Series, 7 p.m., post-film panel circa 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 24:

The Jellyfish Garden: a plastic bag reduction art installation, Nelson Court, OHIO Campus 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Socially Distant Storm Drain Marking by Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors

Friday, Sept. 25:

The Jellyfish Garden: a plastic bag reduction art installation, College Green 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information on Pollution Prevention Week in Athens, including a full schedule of events, is available here.