Spring Break
Drexel to expand recycling program
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News
Under the Environmental Sustainability component of the Power of Ten initiative, Drexel is expanding its recycling program by adding new receptacle bins and educating students on its environmental efforts.
The initiative began with concern from the students, and the Undergraduate Student Government Association took the issue to Student Life. Recycling bins will be added in Greek housing, residence halls and around the campus.
"Students have been asking for it. They're aware of the environmental impact," Stacey Rose, Student Life chair for the USGA, said.
The first part of the initiative deals with adding recycling bins to Greek housing, according to Rose.
The initiative involves buying new [recycling] containers for 34th Street Housing in community centralized containers," Rita LaRue, senior vice president for Drexel Business Services, said.
According to Rose, the USGA is very excited about adding more bins in the residence halls. There has been an ongoing trial in Calhoun led by Jim Breen and Paula King, according to Rose.
According to LaRue, there has been inconsistency with recycling in the residence halls, so this will be a great opportunity to expand and hear from the students.
"Student feedback is key," LaRue said.
Along with expansion in Greek housing and in the residence halls, the big green recycling bins around campus will more than double, from nine to 20 cans, according to Rose.
"All of the bins will be replaced as well," LaRue said.
When there are numerous activities in the quad, there is currently no way to recycle soda cans; this initiative will help to alleviate that problem, Rose said.
There will also be a "Big Belly" trashcan that is solar powered and can talk, Rose added.
According to Rose and LaRue, the biggest part of this initiative is education. People don't know how to use the bins properly, and once there is trash thrown in a bin only used to dispose of recyclable material, the damage is done.
"We want to educate on where the bins are and why it is important to recycle. Then students can understand the effects of one bottle," Rose said.
The initiative has been ongoing for a year and is a matter of finding what works best for students, according to LaRue.
"Students that see trash in bins are less likely to recycle," LaRue said.
LaRue said one thing the University has learned is to put a trashcan next to all of the recycling bins around campus in order to avoid students putting trash in recycling bins.
Throughout the month, Drexel has become more environmentally focused, leading up to Earth Day on April 22.
"Every department is working together. Tobey Oxholm [executive vice president and chief of staff] is very enthusiastic and always follows through," LaRue said.
The next Power of Ten initiative under the category of "Technology" will be released in The Triangle May 2.
The initiative began with concern from the students, and the Undergraduate Student Government Association took the issue to Student Life. Recycling bins will be added in Greek housing, residence halls and around the campus.
"Students have been asking for it. They're aware of the environmental impact," Stacey Rose, Student Life chair for the USGA, said.
The first part of the initiative deals with adding recycling bins to Greek housing, according to Rose.
The initiative involves buying new [recycling] containers for 34th Street Housing in community centralized containers," Rita LaRue, senior vice president for Drexel Business Services, said.
According to Rose, the USGA is very excited about adding more bins in the residence halls. There has been an ongoing trial in Calhoun led by Jim Breen and Paula King, according to Rose.
According to LaRue, there has been inconsistency with recycling in the residence halls, so this will be a great opportunity to expand and hear from the students.
"Student feedback is key," LaRue said.
Along with expansion in Greek housing and in the residence halls, the big green recycling bins around campus will more than double, from nine to 20 cans, according to Rose.
"All of the bins will be replaced as well," LaRue said.
When there are numerous activities in the quad, there is currently no way to recycle soda cans; this initiative will help to alleviate that problem, Rose said.
There will also be a "Big Belly" trashcan that is solar powered and can talk, Rose added.
According to Rose and LaRue, the biggest part of this initiative is education. People don't know how to use the bins properly, and once there is trash thrown in a bin only used to dispose of recyclable material, the damage is done.
"We want to educate on where the bins are and why it is important to recycle. Then students can understand the effects of one bottle," Rose said.
The initiative has been ongoing for a year and is a matter of finding what works best for students, according to LaRue.
"Students that see trash in bins are less likely to recycle," LaRue said.
LaRue said one thing the University has learned is to put a trashcan next to all of the recycling bins around campus in order to avoid students putting trash in recycling bins.
Throughout the month, Drexel has become more environmentally focused, leading up to Earth Day on April 22.
"Every department is working together. Tobey Oxholm [executive vice president and chief of staff] is very enthusiastic and always follows through," LaRue said.
The next Power of Ten initiative under the category of "Technology" will be released in The Triangle May 2.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Nilesh Tailor
posted 5/21/08 @ 8:49 PM EST
What Drexel needs to do is put paper recycling bins next to the green bins around campus. Because currently alot of paper is going into the trash at Drexel which could go into recycling. (Continued…)
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