How to start a recycling program at my community college?

Question

I have joined the student senate at my community college (way out in Tucumcari, NM) and one of the concerns is that the school uses way too much paper, hence the recycling. But I can't find any place near by that would recycle paper, what should I do? PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

Human Development Centers take paper for their individuals to shred. If you have one in your community, call them and ask them if they take paper to shred. At our Development center we pick up the paper from different places for our individuals to shred and then the Humane society takes it to put in cages.
Cathy

Answer 2

Got a computer? Search the Tucumcari home page for their recycle program. Find out where they send it!

Laws require governments to recycle, and they often have the resources to help citizens!

Also, who serves the local newspaper with their rolls of newsprint paper? Those guys are the recyclers of paper and pulp, and need the product! Then, too, if you have enough clean and dry material, they might even buy it! Usually by the truck load, palletized.

Answer 3

You will definitely need to get the faculty and staff involved. We just started a great recycling program here at the University of Utah. You probably could read more about it on-line. The biggest problem has been where to ship it. there are no local places that actually recycle paper. The reason? Labor costs. They ship all the paper to a recycling plant in China. good luck.

Answer 4

I would say to talk to some administrators or counselors around the school to try and get them on your side, then spread the word around school. Talk to your friends and get them to spread the word about recycling, then see if you can't get a couple of recycling bins to put up and watch how it goes at first. If people are receptive, then ask for more bins. This is just my guess, so forgive me if it doesn't help, but I hope you do find the answers you're looking for! Recycling is a big problem these days and there should be more people like you willing to do something about it.

Answer 5

First, coordinate with the closest recycling company you can on dispensers and what all products you can collect to recycle and what fees will be associated if any. Second, meet with some of the school council, present them ideas to cut down paper consumption as well. For example, no hard copy schedules available anymore online only. It may be a pain for the students, but most references these days are found online anyway. Third, make the student body aware and the community - spread the word, thru fliers on campus and around town on the local radio, etc. Fourth, the key to recycling is convenience for people. The more convenient is is for some1 to recycle their cans or bottles the more they are willing to do it. Have plenty of containers through out the school and schedule their pickup in an organizational manner ahead of time to prevent overflowing. Keep the student body updated on their progress within the program.

Answer 6

First, you have to start the basic principles in recycling paper I suggest to do it in-house at no cost by 1,) using the back of paper 2.) Cut 1 whole sheet of paper into small sheet and use it again for other purpose. 3.) Recycled paper which cannot be used can be recycled again thru environmental means. Its better to prepare a dumping site in your area to decompose paper. Later on it will serve as a fertilizer.For new technology, this can be used to make a hollow block. Paper were shredded into small pcs and mix it in making hollow block...This is only a token of advise.

Answer 7

The smartest thing to do is find a large organization already on campus and join it or get them to be on board with you. You need a voice to do this right. It could be yours alone or the voice of a whole fraternity,sorority, sports team, etc. Once you have them setup a committee and begin giving out responsibilities. One person contacts all the recycling centers within 500 miles and finds out procedures. One person contacts a large firm or business in the area to find out what they do to recycle and if they would help fund a program for you with the recycling buckets. Contact the maintenance, make friends, because you maybe adding a lot of work to their jobs. Good Luck!!!!!!

Answer 8

Go to the professor that monitors the Student Senate or Student Activities I'm sure they can help.
If that doesn't help, have students and faculty sign a petition and turn it in to the dean
I'm surprised a college wouldn't have a recycling program in this day and age.
Good Luck

Answer 9

Find some proved way to recycle and save the cost of outsourcing the job. Search for ways to save money and earn money by transforming the paper products for an income. Look into investing in the machines and building the small business for your college community.

Answer 10

When I was in college I was a part of the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC). They were able to start a recycling program. It was very much based on volunteers who would be in charge of their dorm and collect what we were recycling. They were also able to get a re-usable mug made through the university. We could use it in the dining halls and snack bars. If you used it, you got a discount on your drink. I don't remember how much we were able to get into the actual university versus the dorms, but the state I was in was not a lot of help either - no recycling law. At some point I do remember the university put up recycling bins - big dumpster sized ones - around campus that the town ended up using too. I believe the bins were SEAC's doing. They were for paper, glass, plastic, metal and many had battery collectors on the side of the bins.

I just checked, and SEAC does still exist - thankfully! Go to their website and get in touch with them. They should have all sorts of advice for you. GOOD LUCK!

http://www.seac.org/

This is under "Regional" under the Navigation menu to the left of their page.

Region Midwest
Illinois Regional Coordinator
Kandace Vallejo
[e-mail]

Answer 11

An excellent way to find out about paper recycling is to call the local newspaper and ask them where they send paper for recycling (most newspapers are printed on recycled paper). They may offer to send your paper recycling out with their own. You may even get some publicity for your cause.