An ice-cold, refreshing bottle of water or can of soda can bethe perfect way to end an arduous afternoon of classes. But afterthat refreshing fluid quenches the daunting depths of your thirst,the ultimate fate of the bottle or can has caused some on campus tospeak up and take action.
As Joseph Grinnell, chair of the Student Senate EnvironmentCommittee, explained, not many students have yet taken advantage ofthe recycling opportunities on campus. This lack of studentparticipation has prompted the committee to induce changes in therecycling process as a whole. “Our main drive has beengetting a functional recycling program going,” he said.
Grinnell, with the help of his committee, increased awareness ofthe “Single Stream Recycling Program”, which is,”geared toward an easier method of recycling everything,[including] cans, paper and plastic bottles.”
In order to decrease the amount of such materials ending up intrashcans, the committee has moved a number of existing recyclingbins to areas of higher traffic around campus.
“We want to encourage the students to hang on to theirplastic bottle or can until they get into the hallway,”Grinnell explained.
Finding an environmentally safe outlet for bottles, cans orpaper, however, can be difficult at times, as the number of trashcans on campus drastically outnumber the amount of recycling binsavailable according to the senator. According to Grinnell, thisdiscrepancy can go on to affect other resources used in everydaylife. “Recycling one can saves enough energy to power a lightbulb for three minutes,” he said.
Three minutes may not sound like a sizeable amount of time,Grinnell said, but when one considers the fact that the SenateEnvironment Committee collected over 100 pounds worth of cans at afootball game last season, it is easy to see how every can makes adifference. “I just want SMU students to know that we canmake a difference no matter how big the challenge,” Grinnellsaid.
This fall, the committee will be present on Bishop Boulevardbefore every home football contest, as they found pre-gametailgating to be a breeding ground for recyclable materials.
“There’s a lot of stuff that gets thrown away on theBoulevard,” Grinnell said.
The effort to collect more cans and bottles on game day willalso provide a unique opportunity for various groups around campusto get involved in the program. The senator and his committee hasbeen communicating with different service organizations to let themknow about our program in which they would volunteer for one of thefive home games. The organization responsible for a given week willhelp place 15 cardboard recycling bins, pick them up later on andset the collected materials aside to be transported to Plano.
Away from the Boulevard, the Senate Environmental Committeelooks to improve what they see as the missing link in the recyclingprocess — putting reprocessed goods to beneficial use.”There’s no use in recycling if we’re not goingto use it for something else,” Grinnell said.
In an effort to make sure that previously used materials are putto good use, the committee has highlighted the benefits ofrecycling to University faculty members.
We’re going to the different departments and getting themto buy the recycled version of the paper they use,” Grinnellexplained, “which is 30 percent to 35 percent recycledmaterial.”
These changes, the committee hopes, will have a positive andlasting effect on the environment.
“The new [Single Stream Recycling] Program will divert upto 60 percent of waste from our landfills,” Grinnellsaid.
So the next time you feel that revitalizing soda hit the spot,keep in mind what little effort it takes to make a hugedifference.
For those interested in joining the Senate EnvironmentCommittee, applications are available in the Student ActivitiesCenter, and are due in the SAC by 5 p.m. this Sunday.
Correction
Published in the 9-3-04 edition of The DailyCampus
Thursday’s edition of The Daily Campus referred toJoseph Grinnell as a senator. He is actually the chair of thesenate environmental committee.
