By Dennis O’Neil
As colleges and universities across the nation try to stay environmentally friendly, many University of Louisville students and staff have complained about a lack of recycling opportunities on campus.
“Environmental accountability must be a priority of our institution. Our students have asked for a campus recycling program. Now it is time for us to do so,” said President Dr. James R. Ramsey in his State of the University address on Sept. 12.
While many are grateful for this renewed commitment to campus recycling, others feel it could not have been made soon enough.
“I’ve noticed the stray aluminum can recycling bin here and there, but overall, there’s a whole lot of room for improvement,” biology graduate student Allison Cuyjet said. “I know a few people who save their recyclables and take them home because there aren’t enough options here on campus.”
“There aren’t enough recycling bins around campus for people to know about them,” sophomore liberal studies major and Greenthumb affiliate Maggie Peake said. “Several of my friends and classmates wonder if there are bins around, and when I explain to them what U of L is lacking, they seem surprised.”
Vice President for Business Affairs Larry Owsley said that the lack of recycling bins is something the administration is looking to improve in the immediate future. He expects a recycling initiative through Chartwells, the university food provider, to have a significant impact.
“Chartwells has been asked to expand their recycling program and more recycling bins are supposed to be provided in the SAC,” Owsley said. “We are really hoping to improve the way we recycle plastics and aluminum cans, and the way we handle recycling for big events like football games.”
Owsley cited several examples of success the university has had with recycling materials such as high grade office paper, cardboard and lighting fixtures. He said the university has been focusing on recycling since the mid-90s, but it is often hard to pull several organizations together for a concentrated effort.
“Working with groups like the SGA, Chartwells and Student Housing is crucial in making this work,” Owsley said. He said U of L is also working with the Partnership for a Green City.
SGA Vice President Rudy Spencer said that a better recycling program has been on SGA’s agenda for several years now. SGA submitted a proposal for a recycling program to the administration last November. The document proposes a process for improvement beginning in the residence halls and then making its way into the SAC.
“The vision of the project is for it to be just as easy for a student to recycle as it is to just throw something away,” Spencer said. “Hopefully, the document will be a kind of guide for what the university will do.”
This prospect is easier said than done from Owsley’s perspective. According to him, a university generates no revenue from a recycling program, and an extensive program can take a big chunk out of a school’s budget.
“The University of Kentucky spends over $400,000 per year on their recycling program,” Owsley said. “We are trying to put together a group of participants who can make the program work but also make it cost effective.”
However, the SGA’s recycling proposal states “a campus recycling program will save thousands of dollars for the University of Louisville.” It also cites a November 2005 report by the Partnership for a Greener City which said U of L “saved about $8,000 dollars in landfill costs, by simply promoting recycling in the resident halls,” according to the proposal.
Owsley points out, though, that SGA’s proposal only deals with common dormitory trash, and not the scrap metal, used oil and other heavy materials U of L must dispose of.
While some feel it is the responsibility of the university to provide an adequate program, others stress that the student body has a responsibility in making sure it happens.
“All students should be excited about the President’s statement regarding recycling,” SGA President Brian Hoffman said. “I hope that a lot more students will join the SGA in making sure that the university will keep its word about a better program.”
