With images of a Wall-E wasteland in the back of their minds, students dropping plastic water bottles and old papers in the many recycling bins around campus might wonder if their efforts are actually a waste - literally.
???While many obliviously assume those recyclables are being properly disposed of, others have begun to wonder whether gaps in the system are resulting in environmentally harmful recyclable products being tossed in the trash.
???"There have been instances where students observed custodians putting recycling in the trash," said Garry Soehner, associate director for ecology of the University Residence Halls & Apartments. "But students need to realize that there are many common products that cannot be recycled by the university."
???The Residence Life Recycling and Energy Conservation Policy states that all paper, glass, plastic, metals, cardboards and batteries can be recycled, while the list of non-recyclables includes milk cartons, paper cups from Campus Dining and Shops, tissues, plastic bags and pizza boxes.
???"If a custodian sees that there is garbage in the recycle bin, the whole thing must be thrown out," said Erin Moscati, an environmental educator at UB Green. "Our policy is that garbage causes the recyclables to become contaminated and therefore it's treated as trash."
???While the Residence Halls & Apartments and University Facilities have separate collections for recycles, the same vendor and contract cover both.
According to Moscati, a recycling committee coordinates all behind the scenes work in ensuring UB continues to help the environment.
???"Our committee allows custodians, Campus Dining and Shops, Athletics and other departments to come together and talk about how to improve recycling education on campus," Moscati said. "We even have a training program for custodians in order to educate them on proper recycling procedures."
???According to Moscati, a state report covering the period from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 stated that UB sent 4,826 tons of waste to landfills and recycled 2,553 tons of plastic, glass, paper and other materials. Even with large numbers to show progress, advocates of recycling feel that efforts on campus start and end with the students.
???"The students who are on the fence about recycling are the ones we need to target," Soehner said. "They are the ones that need reminders to recycle and so we make it convenient by putting the bins in easy-to-access places."
???For some students, those easily visible recycle bins may be the only reason they don't drop bottles, cans and paper in the trash.
???"I usually don't recycle, but recycling on campus is easy, especially paper in the libraries because the bins are everywhere," said Brian Schafheimer, a sophomore psychology major. "I'm sure some people just throw things in the trash, but when there are those boxes that have slots for recycles and trash it's hard to not make the right choice."
???The New York State Solid Waste Management Act of 1988 mandates that all state institutions need to recycle at least 50 percent of their waste stream. Considering the wide variety of different areas and facilities at UB, the responsibility of recycling needs to be a collective effort between students, faculty and staff.
???"If people make the effort to actually recycle in the first place, then it would be terrible if those bottles and cans just ended up in the trash," said Brianne Sescil, a senior environmental design major.
???According to Soehner, residence halls such as the Elicott Complex do not use custodians to collect the recyclables, but instead a handful of dedicated students take on the duty of making sure recycles are not treated as garbage.
???This group of about a dozen student assistants collects all the bins around the residence halls and then takes them outside to empty them. Soehner makes sure that these student recyclers are visible so that they are able to set a positive example for their residents and help promote environmental awareness.
???"In the last five years, I feel students have shown they are more inclined to recycle," Soehner said. "I believe it's a combination of things, ranging from family and school influences, to the publicity of 'going green.' "
???On April 29 and 30, the UB Green office will be hosting a computer and electronics recycling day at the Center for Tomorrow parking lot in order to provide students with a convenient place to dispose of their unwanted electronic equipment.
???Students who have concerns about recycling in the residence halls can contact Soehner by e-mail at soehner@buffalo.edu, and for more information students can visit the UB Green Office at 220 Winspear Ave.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
