Recycling program eyes expansion
with residence hall pilot project
Emory's growing recycling program took a significant step forward last month
with the initiation of the first pilot project for residence hall recycling.
Residence Life, the Student Government Association (SGA) and Recycling Coordinator
Elaine Gossett selected Turman Residential Center as the site for the pilot.
Two weeks ago, six-gallon recycling containers were placed in each of the
more than 400 rooms in Turman. Larger collection sites have been established
on each floor of Turman, and three clusters of even larger containers have
been placed outside the complex and are being serviced by the custodial
staff.
Gossett said that five students-four of whom live in Turman-are serving
as recycling coordinators for the project. Each student is responsible for
80-90 rooms in Turman. In addition to emptying the containers from each
floor into the larger containers outside, the students also advise Gossett
on how the program is working and make her aware of any problems that need
to be addressed. "The students are my eyes and ears over at Turman,"
Gossett said.
The SGA approved funding for the Turman recycling containers last May, and
Residence Life gave its approval shortly afterward. Gossett and her students
are monitoring the program closely to ensure that all goes smoothly.
"I'm hoping that the Residence Life staff will have smiles on their
faces by the end of the semester and let us develop more residence hall
recycling programs," Gossett said. "We would need more financial
support for more containers, because I firmly believe that we must have
individual containers in each room for the program to work. I hope the SGA
will be interested in seeing the residence hall recycling program develop
further and assist us with the purchase of more containers."
To accommodate growth in the campus recycling program, including the Turman
project, Gossett said Facilities Management is planning to build a small
processing center on Peavine Creek Drive. The building would be used for
minor clean-up of recyclable materials collected on campus before they are
shipped to an outside processor.
The additional cleaning process, Gossett said, will help Emory reduce contamination
of its white paper supply, thereby increasing the amount of money the University
receives for its recyclables. Contamination of white paper recycling containers
has been a significant problem recently. Last year Emory was receiving about
$70 per ton for recycled white paper. In January that number fell to $30
per ton because of excessive contamination of the supply.
Gossett reminds faculty, staff and students that the only material that
should be placed in white paper recycling containers is clean, dry printing
and writing paper including photocopy paper, laser and computer printouts
and stationery. Products that have caused contamination and should never
be placed in white paper recycling containers include: envelopes (including
manila envelopes); mailing labels; file folders; sticky notes; rubber bands;
ream wrapper; magazines; glossy paper; colored paper; packing and wrapping
paper; cardboard; aluminum cans; drink cups; telephone books; food and food
packaging materials; and newspaper.
For additional information on the recycling program, call Gossett at 727-1796
or send e-mail to: <egosset@fmd.fmd.emory.edu>
-Dan Treadaway
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