Second annual Dumpster Dive yields less recyclables than last year
By Leah LeMoineReporter, The VOICE
The results are in: Glendale Community College (GCC) has significantly improved its environmental impact by recycling and increasing its efforts to achieve a sustainable campus.
Photo by Mary Harris/ Photographer
Student's celebrate Earth Day by recycling trash out of all the dumpsters on campus. This years Dumpster Dive yielded ten percent less recyclables found than last year.
GCC celebrated Earth Day this year with a host of activities, including the Student Environmental Club (SEC)'s "Pie Your Prof" fund-raiser, a presentation on climate change, sustainable vendors in the central mall, student presentations on sustainability and open discussions about the campus's responsibility to reduce its carbon footprint and maintain an environmentally consciousness.
"There was a spirited discussion on the recycling program at GCC," said Dr. Mary Harris, professor of physical science at GCC. "All students want more bins and better signage. Also, (they want to) make it really convenient for everyone to recycle and put clear, visual recycling instructions everywhere."
Members of the faculty also shared their environmental goals for the campus.
"Faculty would like a sustainability statement on every syllabus and a recycling policy video on the GCC web site. Also (they want to) charge a deposit on all plastic bottles to encourage recycling and to use biodegradable plates and bowls in the cafeteria."
The event that most illustrated GCC's progress was the second annual Dumpster Dive. This year's results revealed that the efforts of the Student Environmental Club and the staff's Green Efforts Committee to increase recycling on campus have been successful.
"I was happy that GCC is recycling more this year compared with last year.
GCC's trash is now only 30% recyclable compared with 40% last year," said Harris. "This means there is more work to do to get everyone on campus to recycle. My goal is to get to zero percent recyclables in the waste stream within the next two years."
The success has encouraged and inspired the committees to plan even events on an even larger scale for next year. "Anything that encourages students to participate and build community is a good thing," said Harris. "That's the mark of a healthy college community."
Please send comments to llemoine@gccvoice.com
