The University of Idaho Argonaut

Despite the chilly overcast weather, University of Idaho Environmental Club members and a representative from Moscow Recycling stood outside the Idaho Commons Wednesday to promote National Recycling Day.

Andy Boyd, manager of Moscow Recycling, manned a table next to the environmental club table. To teach college students about waste issues, Boyd brought a pinwheel with numbers correlating to recycling trivia questions. He also handed out prizes, such as key chains and pencils, made from recycled materials.

The main focal point at the environmental club table was a tower made out of about 700 aluminum cans. The display is a visual for an art in aluminum competition the club will have during Earth Week, April 16 - 20. The competition will be open to clubs, living groups and departments.
Recycling affects the world college students live in, Boyd said. The interesting recycling trivia questions can help influence people’s decisions in the future, he added.

“If we are throwing things away we are not using resources wisely,” he said.
There is always room for improving recycling, he said.
There are many ways UI can improve its recycling efforts, such as changing light bulbs to reduce the amount of energy consumed, Boyd said. Another idea he had was to install some flush-less urinals, which save about 45,000 gallons of water a year, he said.

There is very little recycling on campus, said senior James Blakely, president of the environmental club. There are big bins outside residence halls, but no recycling in other buildings on campus, he said.
The lack of recycling is largely due to the fact that the university is understaffed and under-funded, Blakely said.

Sophomore Amanda Gray, secretary/treasurer for Recycling Day, said it is often more convenient for younger people to recycle, and that it is important for them to increase their awareness about recycling.

Next semester the environmental club will hold a “Go Green” challenge that will be open to all residence halls. Halls with the most environmentally friendly improvements will receive prizes during the challenge.