On an otherwise dreary day in Eugene, students started to notice something a little different in the EMU amphitheater late Wednesday morning. OSPIRG took center stage, with a 30-foot inflatable turtle that they are using to raise awareness for Oceans Week.
“The goal of the campaign is to get the public aware of plastic pollution,” said Amanda Ellis, the campaign coordinator. “We want to get the public to pledge to reduce our plastic bag usage.”
Volunteers stood around with signs and information about plastic bag pollution. Students were given the opportunity to sign a pledge, after which they received a free canvas tote bag.
“The turtle is just a visual to get people interested,” Ellis said.  “And just to show them that we are around and we would love to talk to you.”
Jessica Bloomfield was walking to work when she came across the campaign.
“The huge turtle is awesome,” Bloomfield said. “I think it’s a great way for OSPIRG to get some attention.”
ASUO President Ben Eckstein stopped by to admire the turtle and congratulate OSPIRG on their efforts.
“I was very fond of the turtle,” Eckstein said. “I think it was attention grabbing and a great tactic to gain student attention.”
Halfway through their presentation, OSPIRG volunteers had gathered about 200 pledges.
“It just shows the great work that OSPIRG and other student groups are doing to promote social change on a broad spectrum,” Eckstein said.