Want to avoid getting arrested by the Green Police? Then make sure you recycle. While you’re at it, encourage the university to provide the resources and programs to make true sustainability possible.

According to a trash audit performed  Tuesday, Feb. 2 by Huxley’s chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association, Western students produce a lot of trash that could be recycled or composted. Of 550 pounds of trash, 160 pounds could have been recycled and 300 pounds could have been composted instead of thrown into the Dumpster.

This leaves only 90 pounds of actual trash, or 16 percent of the total material audited.  

Having only 16 percent of what ends up in trash bins actually be trash is unacceptable. Western students need to take the time to throw their plastic, glass, cardboard and paper waste into the proper recycling bin.

However, students’ failure to consistently recycle is not entirely their fault. The proper recycling bins are sometimes not available, and composting bins are a rare sight in dorms and academic buildings.

Richard Neyer, Associated Students Recycle Center Manager, said the center does not have the money to place as many recycling sources in the dorms as he would like. Neyer said he would like to see more educational programs for dormitory residents that focus on the basics of recycling.

Neyer said the Recycle Center has been working with the Office of Sustainability to streamline Western’s waste pickup process. This is exactly what needs to happen.

Western is charged a flat fee for every trash bin picked up. Regardless of whether the Dumpster is half-full or overflowing, the same rate is charged.

Neyer said the center has been considering taking all campus trash to a trash compactor, which would allow the university to be charged according to weight. He said using Toters—large-wheeled trash containers—from the Sanitary Services Company lined with compostable bags would allow the dorms to recycle things such as food scraps and paper towels.

The university must create more opportunities for recycling and composting. Residence hall staff must educate their residents on how to effectively recycle. Having Toters in place is a necessary step in cutting down campus waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.    

Students who want to get involved in promoting recycling can go to the Student Employment Center’s Web site to check for job postings at the AS Recycle Center. Alternatively, they can become eco-reps in their dorms by applying to their hall councils. This position allows students to work with the center and the Office of Sustainability to promote intelligent recycling practices within their dorms.


The Editorial Board is comprised of Editor in Chief Nicholas Johnson, Managing Editor Katie Greene and Opinion Editor Tristan Hiegler. 

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