We are part of the first generation of Americans to have grown up learning about recycling. We are all familiar with the concept and we probably all agree that it is a good idea. However, most of us have not yet adopted recycling habits as part of our daily lives.
Those who are environmentally conscious have probably tried and found out what challenges are involved with recycling. Though it can be improved, there are plenty of opportunities to recycle right here on campus.
According to a Feb. 28, 2002, media relations press release, Mississippi State was recognized by the National Wildlife Federation and given the highest marks for environmental goal setting and planning for its campus recycling programs. However, most of the determining factors mentioned in the press release involved university policy and were not based on student participation in the recycling program.
In Mathew Allen’s November 2001 Reflector article “Recycling MSU,” Physical Plant assistant director Peter Rook stated, “MSU currently has over 700 recycling receptacles in 82 buildings,” a conservative average means there should be about eight receptacles per building.
After walking around and inside 12 buildings that make up the core of the campus, I found about 20. That averages less than two recycling bins per building. Most of the receptacles were located in illogical places where they were difficult to find. The receptacles for different materials were not grouped together. Most were full on Wednesday and were still full on the following Tuesday when I looked again.
This is an observation I have made many times. There are also very few visual cues that alert people to the presence of recycling bins. Most of the bins appear to be trash cans with different lids, so that is probably the explanation for why there is also so much non-recyclable waste in them.
These problems can be easily remedied. First, there should either be more bins or the existing ones should be emptied more often. Once a bin is full no one is going to use it. Second, logic should dictate the location of the bins and be accompanied by signage (e.g. “Recycle Here”). If the receptacles are placed in obvious locations more people will use them.
Bins for plastics and aluminum should be located together and directly adjacent to vending areas in buildings. The newspaper recycling bins should be located next to the newspaper racks. Third, the receptacles should be of a standard shape, but be colored and labeled differently according to material.
The fact that the bins fill up is evidence that students are interested in participating in the university’s recycling program, but the only way more students will participate is if recycling is made more convenient for them. The existing bins are difficult to locate, and most people are not going to go out of their way to find a bin. I applaud the university for its efforts to meet the student demand for recycling. However, the current system is in need of considerable improvement.
The city of Starkville in partnership with community recycling services maintains three recycling drop-off areas within the city limits. Newspaper, corrugated cardboard and aluminum cans can be dropped off at these locations. The first is next to Fire Station No. 1 at the corner of Lampkin and Russell Street. The second is next to Fire Station No. 4 at the corner of South Montgomery Street and Academy Road. The third is located just off of Miss. Highway 12 next to Synergetics.
Wal-Mart and some grocery stores accept clean plastic grocery bags for recycling. I try to remember to take my bags with me and put them in the bins just inside the front doors when I make my unavoidable weekly trip to Wal-Mart.
The city of Starkville maintains a helpful Web site with information about local recycling options (http://www.cityofstarkville.org/government/city_progs.html). Visit the Web site to find out where to recycle other materials like household hazardous waste and used motor oil.
The only two common materials that regrettably cannot be dropped off for recycling in Starkville are glass and plastic bottles. Plastic containers however, are accepted by the Columbus/Lowndes recycling drop-off center. Directions to this facility are also available on Starkville’s Web site. There are also some plastic recycling bins on campus at MSU, so you can use those.
That is, if you can find them.
James Everett is a senior landscape architecture major. He can be reached at [email protected].