Recycling is redesigned

The City of Oberlin takes over the College's recycling

A new recycling program for Oberlin was instituted over the summer. In previous years recycling was coordinated through BFI Recycling. The new program is sponsored by the City of Oberlin.

The new system focuses on improving uniformity in on-campus recycling. This was accomplished through placing black buckets in all dorm rooms to collect recyclable materials. The bins were donated by the City of Oberlin.

Green recycling bins were installed in all dorms, co-ops and other campus building The new bins are clearly marked as to the types of materials that can be put in them. These were placed in centralized locations in order to promote user participation, according to organizers

In addition, 30-gallon containers, which were left from previous recycling programs, were placed in areas that have high usage of paper or aluminum cans. All of these materials are made from 100 percent recycled products, and purchased locally in order to stimulate the local economy.

Every room on campus will receive a trash can for more convenience in sorting out recyclable materials.

The new program incorportates ideas from students, staff and administrators. The Lorax, an off-shoot of Ohio Public Resources Council (OPIRG), designed a recycling proposal last year. Director of Environmental Health and Safety Cheryl Wolfe also wrote recycling proposal, one which emphasized education and consistancy.

In order to emphasize education, the College has hired three students, Maggie Callahan, a junior, Max Truax, a senior and Magda Gianola, a sophomore, to work solely to further the educational goals behind recycling.

These students maintain signs around the green recycling bins, communicate with Resident Coordinators, staff and administration and organize campus awareness projects. Upcoming projects include ecological sculpture focusing on waste reduction, source reduction projects with other colleges, a homepage on the internet and pamphlets on environmental racism.

Lauren Jacobs, a first-year, commented that she "did recycle before [she] came to Oberlin. The distribution of specific buckets and boxes for recyclable materials definitely stimulates Oberlin students to do their part."

David Brennen, a sophomore, felt that the black buckets in students' rooms would promote people to use the program more than they have in the past.

Bins of beer cans:New recyclling bins and trash cans were provided as part of the new recyclling program implemented this year. All dorms recieved these black buckets. (photo by Nichole Palmer)