The HeartBEAT of Brentwood

25 January 2024Suhana V, Alex ‘24

BEAT stands for the Brentwood Environmental Action Team – not the hardy red root vegetable.

This year BEAT and Environmental Advocacy have already completed dozens of projects which have all aimed to benefit our environment in one way or another. One recent activity was a battery drive in which Evan R, Privett ‘25 placed battery boxes in different locations around campus. Each boarding house has a cardboard box in which people can place their used batteries to reduce the risk of toxic exposure. 

Such a project has helped others realize how harmful battery acid is to our landfills and how to correctly dispose of such materials. Even though this is a great start, Co-Sponsor Ms Miller feels “just collecting and properly disposing of batteries is only diverting a problem we have, not solving the root issue, which is unsustainable energy consumption.”

What about selling only rechargeable batteries in the school store?

Last spring, Isha C, Mack ‘24 and Hana R, Mack ‘24 submitted a proposal to “Create Your Own Canada’’- a competition created by MP Alistair MacGregor where students can write a proposal for a bill that could positively impact the lives of Canadians. Their proposal revolved around disclosing the ingredients in menstrual products to customers, as some of them can be harmful to both the consumers and the environment. 

After winning this competition, Isha and Hana travelled to Ottawa to hear their federal bill being introduced: Bill C-366 – full disclosure of ingredients in menstrual tampons. Through the research for this bill, Isha “came to realize the impact of climate advocacy and how labelling the toxic chemicals in consumer products directly impacts the environment by lowering demand, and the subsequent production and consumption of toxins.” 

Environmental Advocacy & BEAT have accomplished a myriad of achievements including harvesting apples for apple juice and applesauce, harvesting plums for jam, organic farming, Lauren C’s Ted Talk on climate optimism, recycled paper making, tulip planting, building a garden box for the grade eights, hosting the Speaker Series for five other schools, goos paper and pen recycling, and preventing food waste in Crooks Hall. 

So what are their future plans?

Recently, the team has been working on new merchandise where they use iron-on paper and print their logo onto previously owned or thrifted items. This allows people to bring clothes they wish to repurpose to enjoy ‘new merch’ while also reducing textile waste. This idea stemmed from the fact that BEAT members wanted some cool club clothing, but did not want to create the additional negative environmental impact of purchasing new clothing. They recognize that the production of any sort of fabric increases our carbon emissions – 10% of all global emissions come from clothing. The project was spearheaded by BEAT Captain Sophie S, Alex’ 24, who finds the process to be a “fun and collaborative activity where people can come together and make their own merch.” 

Like a beetroot digging into the soil, BEAT relentlessly works to better the world by spreading awareness of the actions we can all take to make the world more sustainable. Through their continuous initiatives, this club has inspired many to lead a greener lifestyle that supports the health of our world. 

To start, you can enjoy the BEAT Book Giveaway in the lobby of the Arts Building today and tomorrow. Lift your Spirits this Week by starting a new novel! Give it one more reading life before it’s recycled.

Suhana V, Alex ‘24