Sustainability Spotlight: Nikki Nguyen
For Nikki, sustainability is about innovation, conservation, and long-term responsibility. To her “Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future”. Her dedication to this philosophy shines through in the many initiatives she leads.
One of Nikki’s standout projects is WOWW (Watch Our Waste Wednesday), a weekly event promoting proper waste sorting to reduce pollution. By educating the student body about sorting trash, Nikki helps tackle one of the largest contributors to environmental harm—unsorted post-consumer waste. She also works tirelessly to encourage recycling and composting efforts across campus, prioritizing proper bins and signage in every building.
Nikki’s work doesn’t stop there. She curates weekly Instagram posts for NC State Dining, highlighting the use of local ingredients in the dining halls. This initiative not only encourages students to eat local but also reinforces the importance of supporting sustainable, local food systems. Looking ahead, Nikki is focused on helping food collection efforts with Feed the Pack and ensuring that all post-consumer products in dining halls are compostable.
Among the many sustainability-focused events Nikki has participated in, All Carolinas stands out as a favorite. “It was so fun to see everyone come together to enjoy good food, learning opportunities, and live music,” she said. Moments like these showcase the power of combining education and community in advancing sustainability.
The impact of Nikki’s work is evident in the feedback she receives. Participants at WOWW events frequently share how they’ve learned something new or been inspired to make changes in their daily lives. Nikki recalled a few regulars who returned to tell her how her outreach encouraged their roommates to recycle or helped them properly sort dining hall waste.
Through her hard work and innovative ideas, Nikki Nguyen is driving meaningful change in NC State Dining’s sustainability efforts. Her leadership serves as an inspiration to us all, proving that even small actions can create ripples of environmental awareness and positive impact.
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