Though
some recycling symbols are present
around campus, are the signs enough
to make people aware of the environment?
Containers to recycle paper are the
most visible; however, bins for plastic,
aluminum and glass are not. Instead,
these recyclable items typically are
thrown into trashcans.
“That all goes to the landfill
and when things get buried at the
landfill they don’t decompose
rapidly,” said Dr. Cary Guffey,
associate professor of biology.
If recyclable items are not being
recycled then more resources will
be needed, according to Dr. Guffey.
One department, the Physical Plant,
currently is implementing new methods
that are less harmful to the environment
at the university.
Darrell Glasscock, the director of
the Physical Plant, said, “We’re
cutting down on dangerous chemicals”
which will be a lot safer for his
staff.
Then, with the initiation of the soccer
team into the National Association
of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA),
Glasscock said, “we are going
to use organic fertilizer” for
the ground where the team will be
practicing.
Though the Physical Plant is aware
of the environment, it is not presently
an issue for the Student Government
Association (SGA) since “nobody
has brought it up at all,” said
Doug Mercado, SGA president.
“If it’s an issue for
students then it’s an issue
for me,” says Mercado.
However, there are some students who
are individually taking part in recycling.
Some use the discarded paper in the
recycling bins found next to or underneath
the printers in the computer labs.
“I use the reverse side of printed
paper as scratch paper to write down
notes or work out problems,”
said sophomore Johana Rios.
“Everyone can help the environment
by conserving water, when taking a
shower or brushing their teeth,”
said Dr. Guffey.
Guffey’s additional suggestions
for the campus include adding more
plants that use less water, having
more recycling bins for bottles and
emphasizing paper recycling more.
“In the end, choosing to recycle
is an individual decision,”
said Jack Hank, vice president for
Student Life.
“I think it is everyone’s
responsibility to do their part in
recycling,” said Hank.
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