3/29/2004

Laymen’s terms: School needs to improve recycling

Anna Fullmer
Guest columnist

Obviously, recycling is important. We all know it is, but here’s a quick review of the benefits: Recycling saves energy, reduces pollution and landfill space and conserves natural resources. Recycling preserves the environment. It also works wonders for that little ol’ thing known as the economy. In Ohio alone, 169,000 jobs rely on recycling. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, recycling is a $30 billion industry.

Laymen’s terms: Recycling is good for both environment and economy.

I don’t want to keep boring you with statistics; I’ll do my best to make it as simple a possible. According to Steve Renner of Campus Environment and Operations, 271 tons of recyclable material was removed from the campus in 2002 – this is only 6 percent of the overall waste removed from the campus. Last year, Miami and Ohio University each averaged 50 percent recycled waste – and both schools have approximately 8,000 less students than Kent State.

Laymen’s terms: The recycling “effort” at Kent State is half-ass. No, it’s not even half-ass! It’s more like 6 percent of an ass.

The recycling program at Kent State, with access to the most efficient recycling center in the state, Portage County District Recycling, still finishes poorly.

An estimated $700 per month is the cost to lease bins and accommodate daily pick-ups from the recycling plant – chump change: Doubling our measly amount of recycling would mean significant savings, plus Kent State wouldn’t be shelling out outrageous landfill fees.

Laymen’s terms: Recycling saves money.

SEED (Students Eliminating Environmental Destruction) is expecting our chosen institute of higher learning to meet an environmental standard by following the examples of other schools, such as Wooster, OU and Youngstown State. Bowling Green has a recycling bin in every residence hall room and is the winner of the nationwide “Recycle-mania” competition.

Laymen’s terms: When compared with other colleges in Ohio, Kent’s recycling is looking pretty sorry indeed.

Administration is not the only culprit for the pathetic state of recycling. Students, I’m talking to you! I know, you’re probably not “thinking about your drinking,” but at least recycle the cans when you’re done! Before throwing away that Ho-Hos box or empty Dasani bottle, ask yourself this question: “Am I really too lazy to walk my ass to the recycling bin?” And if the answer is “No,” I suggest that you proceed to the nearest recycling bin, place the item inside and pat yourself on the back.

The hundreds of signatures filling SEED’s petitions show there is support for the drafting of an Official Recycling Policy requiring Kent State to increase accessibility by a 1 to 1 ratio – one recycling bin for every trash can. Kent State is in a position, as a center of education, to create and enforce a recycling program that will raise awareness and become part of our daily consciousness.

We can no longer afford to ignore this recycling issue.

Laymen’s terms: The earth is running out of time.

Anna Fullmer is a junior English and history major and a guest columnist for the Daily Kent Stater.

E-mail: afullmer@kent.edu