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| Sustainability starts with you |
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| Written by T.R. | ||||||
| Friday, 01 September 2006 | ||||||
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Next time you’re walking across campus, take a look around. Notice any trash on the ground? Empty pop cans, crumpled paper or discarded fast food wrappers, perhaps? Chances are, you do. Despite the fact that there are garbage and recycling cans all over the University of Idaho, some people still insist on throwing their junk wherever they want. UI’s Sustainability Center just opened this semester, and while “sustainability” is an ambiguous term, it includes taking care of the environment. The goal is to leave the earth in at least as good condition as it was when you got here, but preferably better. Every UI student can play a part in this type of sustainability. No matter what you believe about polar ice caps or global warming, there’s no reason to ignore obvious trash on the ground or refuse to recycle. For starters, take care of your trash. When you finish lunch, chuck the garbage where it belongs instead of leaving it for someone else to take care of. If you have an empty can or bottle, take the few extra seconds to recycle it — there are 48 recycling receptacles on campus, so it’s not like it’s a challenge. If you really can’t find one, check out www.dfm.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=91398 for a map. There are even pictures. Second, pick up the trash left by others and encourage those around you do their part. At home, take steps to reduce and recycle too. Moscow Recycling offers once-a-week curbside pick up for people who live in houses or apartment complexes with four or fewer units. There is also a 24-hour drop station on North Jackson Street and large recycling drop-off stations at five campus locations. You may feel like picking up after yourself doesn’t make much of a difference, but it can. According to UI’s Solid Waste and Recycling Web site, 85 tons of recyclables are collected from the cans around campus every year. A few more people could drive that number even higher while reducing garbage in general. So do your part. Sustaining and protecting the environment is valuable, even if it starts small. T.R.  Add as favorites (38) | Views: 596
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