Newswise — The University of North Carolina Wilmington opened the first store in the University of North Carolina system dedicated solely to environmentally friendly products and alternative transportation in October 2008. Since that time the store, ECOteal, has seen great success and has proven to be a great learning experience for the students involved in the creation and daily activities of the business.
ECOteal provides students, faculty and staff at UNC Wilmington with sustainable alternatives such as organic cotton shirts, water -powered clocks, reusable totes, bicycles and skateboards. To provide an additional learning opportunity, the store is primarily run by students who helped create the concept and select the merchandise.
"One hundred percent of the items in the store are sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable," said Rita Gordon, UNC Wilmington director of auxiliary services.
In addition to the opening of the sustainability store, UNCW purchased its first electric truck. The teal electric truck, known as the "ECOtealmobile," is used to deliver products to the sustainability store and healthy food alternatives to special vending machines located throughout campus.
"Only five universities in the state have an electric truck," said Sandy Ellington, UNCW One Card manager, who also provides oversight and assistance to the students who manage the store. "The 'tealmobile' will reduce UNCW's carbon footprint on the environment."
UNCW is part of the University of North Carolina system and is located in the southeastern region of North Carolina.
RSS