Earth Day Marked by Planting, Plastics Ban, Wall Street Protest

West Virginia University observed the 21st annual Earth Day by saying it would banish polystyrene packaging from campus. Other environmentally conscious events across the country included tree-plantings and a demonstration against big business.

An immediate phaseout will begin for food containers and other products packed in polystyrene plastic foam, WVU President Neil Bucklew said.

Chemicals used to make the packaging can deplete the Earth’s protective ozone layer, but finding an alternative to foam cups used for soft drinks sold at football games could be a problem. A few years ago, the school switched from hard plastic cups to the soft, light foam cups after several people were injured during cup fights in the stands.

A red maple from George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, Va., estate and a sycamore from the Gettysburg, Pa., battlefield were planted Monday at a national historic forest being established near Des Moines.

The forest will include 1,500 trees directly descended from trees associated with famous people and places across the country.

In New York, the city’s transportation commissioner, Lucius Riccio, said motorists at certain entry points into Manhattan would be sold subway tokens at a discount to persuade them to leave their cars behind. “Transportation and air quality are inextricably linked,” Riccio said.

Demonstrators on Wall Street said New York already is a “green city,” with green standing for dollars, and blamed corporate greed and general public selfishness on everything from racism to homelessness to the continuing spread of AIDS.

Ten of the protesters were arrested--six charged with blocking traffic, two with disorderly conduct and two with resisting arrest, said police Detective Joseph Gallagher.

Thousands of children went to the Oklahoma State Capitol to celebrate Earth Day, but they left behind a sticky, messy mass of garbage and trash.

Empty paper bags, candy wrappers, soft drink cans and pieces of food littered the broad steps at the south entrance to the Capitol. Hallways inside were littered with more trash, much of it papers and pamphlets promoting Earth Day and giving advice on how to help clean up the environment.