Early in December 2002, Grassroots initiated a campaign for recycling bins to be placed in individual dorm rooms. They posted sign up sheets throughout the halls of the dorms in order to research the amount of interest existing for recycling bins.
“While numbers and interest varied from one residential area to another, the overall response was tremendous. Almost 300 people signed up for the bins — a number Grassroots could have only dreamed of, and one that Facilities was not prepared for,” Grassroots member and sophomore Dan Duett said.
With this information, the ultimate goal is to ensure that there are recycling bins in all locations where there is a need. University Facilities and Services planned on delivering the bins over winter break. It is now the middle of February and dorm rooms are still without them.
Last year, a similar recycling drive proved unsuccessful because it was held at the end of the school year, thereby not allowing enough time for preparation. Consequently, this year’s drive began earlier to ensure that Facilities would have plenty of time to acquire the bins.
According to the head of the Grassroots reduction committee, sophomore Zoe Sylvester, confusion over Towers and Hill Court prevented Facilities from ordering the bins over break. “Facilities was trying to decide if every room would get a bin, or every suite. I believe they decided on every suite,” she said.
Along with the confusion over the suites, the overwhelming response to the sign-up campaign is also said to have played a role in the delay of delivery.
At present, Heberle Disposal Services provides recycling services for the school. They take care of the large blue bins located at various points on campus, such as right outside of the ITS Center, at Todd Union and near Hill Court.
“However, many students have been questioning the facilities that exist for students to recycle the basics — paper and soda bottles,” Grassroots member and junior Audrey Stewart said.
“Students don’t know what to recycle, where to do it and whether or not if they do try to use a bin marked ‘glass’ or ‘cans.’ It will just end up in the dumpster anyway,” she added.
According to Stewart, recycling at UR will not only help the environment, but it will also help the school to save money. Recycling will decrease spending for trash disposal. However, as only 100 bins were in stock prior to winter break and none were ordered over break, the conservation of both waste and money will be delayed further.
Freshman Lorena Suarez-Delgado resides in the Susan B. Anthony residential halls and thinks that recycling is a good idea but is not sure on how effective the campaign will be overall.
“Over half the hall signed up for one but we never got them. It’s a good idea, but then what do you do with the stuff in your bin? Where do you turn in all of your stuff?” she asked. “I think it would be a lot better of an idea if in the trash rooms they had big recycle bins.”
Duett said that some bins did recently arrive on campus, but have not yet been delivered to individual rooms.
Those interested in obtaining one should contact Facilities at x3-4567.
Kline can be reached at mkline@campustimes.org.
