If any of have ever had to pick up trash after a garbage bag ripped while you were walking to the garbage can, you know the struggle of picking up the filth that you have accumulated that week. Well on Wednesday I had to take trash from multiple academic buildings around campus (thanks Palumbo and Zurn for having your recycling cans full) in order to build a giant shamrock.

You are probably wondering why I would touch other peoples trash in order to build a shamrock. Well I did it because like any other poor college student I needed the money. Okay, maybe not just for the money, I actually care about the environment as well. That is probably why I decided to build a giant shamrock out of garbage on AJ’s Way in the middle of that weird snow storm we had last Wednesday.

You are probably wondering why I would ever build a shamrock out of garbage. Well besides working for Edge, I also work as a student aide for Dr. Bomberger. Dr. Bomberger is an English professor and the head of the Honors Department. I had to build the garbage shamrock for her website greeneriepa.org. It is a portal for everything green in the city of Erie (I would totally check it out, its pretty cool and I am not just saying that because I help Dr. B).

So as I was laying the foundation to build this shamrock (poking the ground with a stick to make a somewhat outline of a shamrock), the weather was not cooperating at all. If I had to describe Erie’s weather to someone, I would describe it as a toddler who skipped nap time and is throwing a tantrum in the middle of Walmart. That’s Erie’s weather in a nut shell, and on Wednesday it was no different.

After I “borrowed” the two recycling cans from Palumbo and Zurn, I walked through the blistering wind to a little corner on AJ’s Way and started to draw my shamrock. After failing multiple times with my co-worker Sarah, we decided to regroup and – lets be honest – try to regain the use of our fingers by seeking refuge in Zurn. After taking a five minute sabbatical, we journeyed outside once again. Seeing the shamrock complete not only warmed my frigid soul, but provided me with a sense of accomplishment.

Promoting recycling wasn’t the only meaning behind this shamrock of garbage, but a deeper sense that our world is being treated like our own personal garbage can. So by creating a garbage shamrock, we are not only promoting recycling, but reminding others that even n a major holiday like St. Patrick’s Day, we should all take the time to remember that our planet is more important than a day where we get all dressed up and  have fun. Our shirts, socks, and funky hats are not the only things that are green, our environment is – and you should be to.