Question by Miximinix: How do I start a recycling program at my university?
I’ve talked to some authorities, who support me fully in starting a recycling program here at CalU. I’d just like to know how to start one, who I should talk to, where should I go, etc to start one. I really don’t know that much about recycling, so any tips would be helpful. I just hate seeing everything thrown into a dumster, and I hope recycling will make the campus a better place. What steps should I take?
Best answer:
Answer by Liza K
Probably, hand out some flyers. Make a buletin board…Put stuff up on there…….something like…how not recycling is ruining our enviroment……then talk to the authorities if you could run a meeting outside or something……then make a speech and say everything you want to say…..sure, go ahead and accuse them…..blame them…..tell them they’re selfish…..say anything YOU WANT TO SAY!!!!!!!
Give your answer to this question below!
The First step I would take if I were you is finding out who is the ‘head’ of campus life, if no one then go to your dean and share with them this idea and the concerns that led you to this idea and see if he/she sees things from your perspective and then ask them if they would permit and in turn support a student run recycling program. This would be a great start. I did this when i was in High School and it worked out great and I felt better about participating in the lunch hour. I realise High School is different than University life but my above suggestion is a good start in any educational environment. If the dean is not the person that is in charge of such activities then ask him/her if they know who is and then go from there. I hope this helps you some.
Freetheplanet.org has an online publication entitled “On-Campus Recycling Campaign Guide” at http://www.freetheplanet.org/resources/recycling_guide.pdf . It has excellent suggestions for starting recycling programs on college campuses.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology program has lots of information about environmental projects in the university environment. They also have case studies from campuses across the country. See http://www.nwf.org/campusecology/ for more information
Finally, the Grassroots Recycling Network has a Campus Action campaign that includes links to successful campus recycling programs. See http://www.grrn.org/campus/campus_recycling.html
Please let me know if you need more information.
Laura L. Barnes, MSLIS
Illinois Waste Management and Research Center Library
Scour your campus and ask other people for help. I’m moving to Oregon soon myself. Networking is easy. It’s not who you know it’s how you know it. If you want to make a difference in the world then just get out there and do it! Take life easy and don’t worry too much when life gets you down.
This was goofy and I don’t know if it would work for you but…
someone in my office asked me the same question and, kind of as a joke, I just put out some big boxes and labeled them “plastic bottles”.
At the end of the week, the boxes were full.
Now, the person who asked me empties the bottles into her car and takes them to be recycled each week.
Get in touch with a local politician who favors recycling and invite them to talk to your classmates.