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Currently:
We are maintaining the Adopt A Parking Lot program, recruiting members, and addressing recycling.
November 29, 2004:
Re-issued the letter to President Chapman.
October 7, 2004:
Delivered letter to President Chapman regarding the need to implement a full-scale recycling program. A copy can be read below.
Letter to Chapman:
"President Chapman,
Though I look forward to a follow-up meeting, I am writing this short letter on an issue needing desperate attention.
Our campus size, number of faculty and staff, our ever-growing student body, and our reputation as a community leader, merit the urgent need to address the issue of recycling. A program that does not encompass all classroom, admin/office, and residential buildings is insufficient.
Some background information is essential.
Landfill dumping fees are on the rise.
Through Minnkota recycling company, MSUM began a recycling program in 2000. Their program is primarily in three admin/Union buildings as I understand it. Still, in 2000 - the first year of the program - MSUM recycled over 96,500 lbs of would-be trash. 1800 lbs of this was aluminum alone.
In 2001, over 123,000 lbs of would-be trash were recycled. 1400 lbs were aluminum.
In 2002, almost 128,000 lbs of would-be trash were recycled. Over 2000 lbs being aluminum.
At our campus, there is unfortunately little means available for recycling in residence halls, administrative buildings, and especially classroom buildings.
It is not just the means, but also the support and promotion of recycling that is failing.
Even with the few available means of recycling we have hiding around our campus, usage of these has been steadily decreasing - this, in comparison to the trend at MSUM. In aluminum, the total pounds recycled has decreased every year: from 5500 lbs in 1998, to 3300 lbs in 1999, to 2600 lbs in 2000, to 2500 lbs in 2001, to 1600 lbs in 2002, to 1000 lbs in 2003.
There are several dynamics to the above facts. One, MSUM accomplished the enormous figures above in only three buildings and with a population only a fraction of our own. Imagine what could be done here at NDSU in all buildings with the size and scale of our population - the volume of the program would become an example and a bragging point of the institution. Two, high cost of a full-scale program is an obvious factor. However, the costs primarily lay in starting costs for providing bins. Beyond the starting costs, a full-scale and well-managed program would nearly pay for itself. This is due to two factors:
1) Aluminum recycling pays back a fraction of the cost. Thus a program focusing on all materials, but emphasizing sales of aluminum over plastic goods on campus, would strengthen the program.
2) The savings in dumping fees - for what would likely be half to one million pounds of trash each year - would greatly off-set the fees for the recycling program. (MSUM saved $4500 in dumping fees in 2002. Again, this is in only three buildings, with a fraction of our population and scale).
It is a logical need to have a strong and full program on campus.
As I think we both agree, a University is to be a standard to the community at large. We both realize such an issue goes directly to the heart and soul of the institution. The community at large sees it as a reflection of the integrity of the institution as a pillar of society. Though, I would agree, NDSU is a leader in most other respects, we are among the last in the nation to embrace recycling.
I envision this institution - in the nearest, most immediate future possible - with a full-functioning recycling program, active in every campus building. At a time when NDSU is increasingly being viewed by the rest of the nation - in D-1 and what's becoming a very strong research program - the competent realization of a very strong, apparent, and exposed recycling program is absolutely essential to the integrity and reputation of our University as a conscious and committed institution. I would appreciate a brief meeting to further discuss the matter.
I look forward to that meeting.
Sincerely,
Troy R. Bock
NDSU Student in Political Science
Student Environmental Advisory Council, President
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