Eastern Michigan University has seen several new initiatives and programs centered on recycling on campus, including offering recycling options during residence hall move-in week for the first time.
But there’s work to be done, according to Steven Moore, EMU’s energy and sustainability manager.
“When it comes to recycling and environmental friendliness, EMU has some catching up to do,” he said. “Compared with other schools in the area, we’re behind, but we intend to catch up.”
“It could have gone even better if people had known more about it, but it was still our most successful move-in yet, recycling-wise.”
EMU also offered new cardboard recycling bins at the Army football game, a first for sporting events. It’s an initiative Moore plans to continue throughout the season. Other changes are happening as well.
“We decided on a standardized model for what recycling centers should look like, including stickers and signs, and we decided on the best locations for new stations.” Moore said. “We have placed stations in 11 new locations so far this semester, mostly in dorm halls across campus. We’re also now offering recycling for plastic, metal and glass, and have recently expanded our recycling center to be able to recycle one through seven plastics.”
Many students were unaware of these changes.
Rachel Vergun, a junior in secondary education, said, “We have recycling? I wasn’t aware. I mean, I’ve seen the bins, but I didn’t know anything had changed.”
Some students have noticed a change, but Maxwell Czerniawski, a senior studying philosophy and political science, said it’s not enough.
“I like the new, bigger cans,” he said. “They last longer than the little boxes we had last year, but it would be nice to see recycling in more locations. They’d be nice in bathrooms, and the Student Center only has three or so.”
James LaVelle, a junior in the music program, said recycling needs to be more practical and accessible.
“There’s not enough of a distinction on campus between what’s trash and what’s recycling,” he said. “It needs to be more practical and offered in more locations.”
Moore agreed with the need for more bins in more locations: “We are expanding the program as I speak. There are plans for outdoor recycling stations as well as in more locations inside buildings.”
When asked about recycling cans in bathrooms, he said it was unclear whether paper towels could be recycled and it would depend on the paper towel vendor’s policies.
Moore also addressed the university’s reasons behind this new drive for recycling.
“The recycling initiative came initially as part of the AQIP [Academic Quality Improvement Program] Continuous Improvement Program,” he said. “Students expressed a great interest in more opportunities for recycling. Even the president was directly interested in seeing an expansion of recycling on campus. And there’s no reason not to because it’s so easy to recycle.”
The Physical Plant won’t be stopping at recycling, either, Moore said.
“We’ve joined the Federal Energy Star program and saved $2 million on energy costs last year,” he said. “We’re also planning for the renovations on the Mark Jefferson building to add no extra energy costs despite its larger size, which will save the college approximately $400,000 a year.”
Other plans include holding forums for professors and students aimed at spreading knowledge of these initiatives.
Moore encourages students to contact him if they have questions or suggestions for the Physical Plant. You can reach him by email at smooreii@emich.edu.
