Regis recycling now a reality, program ready to roll

By: Maricor Coquia

Posted: 3/27/07

For senior Adelle Monteblanco, president of SPEAK (Students for Environmental Action and Knowledge), establishing a formal recycling program at Regis has been a top priority. "Hells yes," she said excitedly. "Regis recycling is finally here!"

As long as Monteblanco has been a student at Regis, a formal recycling program was not available to the Regis community. She, along with many other students and faculty, was frustrated and disappointed, confused as to why Regis lacked a formal recycling program. Past efforts always seemed to come to a halt.

However, starting this Wednesday, March 28, Regis students will finally get to experience on-campus recycling-thanks to the collaborative efforts of Physical Plant, members of the Regis University Student Government Association (RUSGA), the Waste Reduction Committee (WRC), and SPEAK.

Mark Forbes, assistant director of Performance Contracts for Physical Plant, was put in charge of the project. Throughout the Spring 2007 semester, Forbes researched a number of possible recycling candidates and met with students and faculty to discuss the best and quickest option to bring recycling to Regis.

"We want to make it as easy as possible," said Forbes.

Single-stream recycling, advertised by Recycle America (a recycling program managed by Waste Management), seemed like the best option. With little to no sorting is necessary, Forbes was confident the program would have better chances of sustainability.

"We want a lasting program," he said. He believed if recycling at Regis starts out too complicated, students would reject the program.

Instead, he hopes to show students "how easy it is to recycle," as Monteblanco also hopes.

To help celebrate and promote the newly established recycling program, the WRC, which has "several members from staff, Physical Plant, and the student body," according to Zachary Garthe, current student-body vice-president and elected student body-president for next academic term, is hosting a BBQ.

This Wednesday, from noon to 1:30 p.m., expect, "Happy times and fun parties!" said Garthe. "Burgers, veggie burgers, drinks in recyclable containers, and organic-biodegradable silverware (as in made by corncobs)" will be available during the "Recycling BBQ."

The main purpose behind the BBQ is to educate students about the new program, especially letting students know what is and isn't recyclable. As a team effort, Forbes hopes students will do their part by recycling, and recycling right.

Currently, six white recycling dumpsters are located around campus: one behind DeSmet, another by Residence Village, one by Upper Lot 4, another by Main Hall West (facing the Chapel), one behind the Student Center, and one behind the Dayton Memorial Library. Each dumpster has an informational sticker of what is and isn't recyclable through the single-stream process.

At the BBQ, students will also be able to sign-up for a personal blue recycling bins for their dorms. By educating students, Forbes explained, the program can start off with its best foot forward.

Even with a contract for recycling in place, however, Forbes is determined to have the program last. In particular, during the beginning phases of the program, the WRC, RUSGA, SPEAK, and Physical Plant plan to closely monitor the program's success, gradually adjusting it to best fit Regis and the university community.

Garthe hopes the program, despite a lot of expected "mishaps and mistakes" in the beginning, will eventually grow into a successful program in the coming years. "Now that we've come so far, so fast, why not go further? And Faster!? We need recycle bins next to all the trashcans all around campus. We need recycle bins in common lounges…There's room to grow," he said.

All are invited to enjoy free lunch during the BBQ.