During a meeting with the Department Finance Committee on Jan. 6, the Campus Recycling program was trying to receive an increase in funding that would support composting and other green services. As students, we need to support the recycling and compost services because they offer so much for every one of us. We are all members of the University community and Campus Recycling services create sustainable options on campus. Therefore, we all benefit from their service and ought to support their programs.
There are many reasons to support campus recycling, including the amazing opportunities for student work, the volunteer and internships and of course the service it renders to the EMU, food services and the residence halls as a recycling and compost option.
There are serious ethical reasons as well: If I as a student want to eat on campus, I believe it is a right to have an option to deal with our excess food, cups and utensils without covering the Earth in landfills. Additionally, the reputation of this program is epic, as one of the first at an institution of higher education. This project is fundamental to sustainability, affording students the viable option of recycling. What right has the school to have green colors, without having green programs? The University of Oregon must earn its green.
There is a cost entailed in the funding of services, but it is small when divided among the more than 20,000 students who attend the University. Many hands make light work and offering the necessary funding will allow students to have this superior student service.
If you question the effectiveness of the program, just spend five minutes talking with any of the numerous student employees about how much paper, glass, cardboard and food they carry each day. This program allows all of that material to avoid the landfill and have a second purpose. The hours of dedication and manual labor has delivered on its promises to help clean up our act.
In the DFC meeting, the biggest concern was if students actually wanted the recycling program – the committee wanted to see student voice. The Campus Recycling program is one of value and service that the campus cannot afford not to have. So, I ask everyone to e-mail your student senator, go to the ASUO and communicate your support for this amazing program.
Cimmeron Gillespie
University Sophomore
[email protected]