Support SUU’s
recycle effort

The Earth Club has spent a considerable amount of time, effort and thought over the past two years attempting to make recycling a reality at SUU.
We applaud this effort. We believe recycling not only shows respect for the environment, but for ourselves and the university as a whole. SUU is the largest is one of the largest consumers in Cedar City. By choosing to recycle it shows we value our environment, our futures and the materials the university provides.
The Earth Club has run into problems while trying to implement a recycling program at SUU. Kenny Laundra, assistant professor of sociology and adviser for Earth Club, said the most pressing thing standing in the way of the program is finding people willing to put in the time and work it takes to empty bins and transport the material. Last year there were two recycling bins in the Student Center, but because the only way they could be emptied was by Earth Club volunteers, they filled up quick and often overflowed.
Laundra said the club approached President Bennion with a 300—student—survey showing the demand for recycling and a plan last year. The plan included 80 bins donated by Recycle USA, the use of Plant Operations Vehicles to transport the material, and two work study positions to empty the bins. The plan was denied.
The club is seeking to implement its plan once again this year with an additional $3,000 Laundra said Georgia Beth Thompson found for the club and the offers from Recycle USA and Plant Operations. We support this plan and any possible way funds can be granted to it. We ask students, faculty and staff to join us.
The club is seeking an additional $1,000 from the Clubs & Organizations Assembly Tuesday. While the assembly isn’t sure if allocating funds to a club to pay for student employment or work study positions is within its boundaries, we ask that any reasonable option to allocating the funds be explored.
Laundra said he wanted to see the program implemented without seeking money from student funds, and the $1,000 is a one-time request.

  

“Students shouldn’t have to pay for recycling,” Laundra said, “it’s like asking students to pay for garbage pick-up.”
Because previous requests have been denied there aren’t many options left and Laundra said demonstrating both need and want for recycling at SUU is the only way it’s going to be realized. We ask students, faculty and staff to show their support for recycling by talking to their assembly delegates, attending the assembly meeting Tuesday at 4 P.M. in the Student Conference Room when the vote will be made, and writing the administration requesting all possible options be explored.
Let the administration, university and community know SUU respects the environment, ourselves, and our university. The Journal is printed on recycled paper, and it would be comforting to know the natural resources used to produce it could be used again and again.
The opinion expressed above is the collective perspective of the University Journal and its editorial board. The editorial board meets every Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Room 172 of the Sharwan Smith Center. Visitors are welcome..