SGA seeks fresh ideas to improve campus recycling efforts

Recycling is not a new concept on campus, but the Student Government Association is looking to greatly improve the lack of a unified system on campus.

According to Associate Vice President for Facilities Services Kyle Owen there has not been a recycling leader on campus in the past.

Although there is not a unified recycling program currently, SGA hopes to change this in the near future.

“We really want to fund the bins for recycling on campus and have a few of them in every single building on campus,” said Melody Coffey, SGA  vice president and senior in mechanical engineering.

Many buildings on campus already have bins, however, they need to be taken out regularly which causes a dilemma for the university.

“Each building needs someone to take the cans of recycled goods to the large orange bins located around campus,” Coffey said.

Coffey said the only building SGA knows of with volunteers to empty the bins, such as janitors or students, are in the Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts.

“We hope to provide a way to empty the recycling bins frequently by using our funding from the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Department,” Coffey said.

Senators and committees in SGA have really shown an interest in getting more recycling programs on campus.

“Recycling will help sustain ability,” said Coffey. “It is very important to hold yourself accountable for waste.”

“We will also be having a table in the Clark Student Center at some point to promote our hydration station;” said Anthony Gallina, SGA president. “This hydration station has already saved over 13,000 bottles.”

Gallina said the director of recreational sports and wellness center, Joey Greenwood is working with facility services to get a hydration station installed in the wellness center.

Some other students also want to participate in recycling, but they want it to be easier to do around campus.

“I would recycle more often if I was reminded and if there were bins everywhere on campus,” said Donald Hall, senior in business management.

In the past, the city has not had an efficient recycling program, but now they have established ways to help residents preserve the environment.

The city recycles newspapers, paper products, metal, glass, appliances and even organic material.

There are white bins and blue bins located throughout Wichita Falls that are accessible to residents.

The white bins are designated for recycling newspapers and paper products only. The blue bin is used for glass jars and bottles.

Locations of these bins include fire stations in town, Wal-mart and various United Supermarkets.

A popular program implemented by the city is Green Curb Recycling.

Green Curb Carts can be obtained from the sanitation division.

These carts can be filled with organic material such as grass clippings and food waste.

The bins are emptied every Wednesday and the waste is turned into quality compost.

Even though SGA is still seeking approve, the organization hopes to schedule a recycling competition within the colleges.