Recycling at BYU-Idaho

Current Situation: BYU-Idaho currently participates in recycling for the following:

• Office Paper, Newspaper, Cardboard, Batteries, Oil and Compost

Part of the issue that we face with respect to recycling is the lack of education many students have on campus.  First we must understand that the recycling program is in its infant stages, and is growing.  We must have patience, as the big wheels of our campus turn, and the program expands.  In order to improve the program more quickly, the students can play an important role, which simply calls for a bit of responsibility.  Each building and most Rooms on campus have both a trash can, and a blue recycle bin.  In order for the current recycling program to be effective, students need to keep those recycle bins for paper materials only.  The student janitors who empty those bins, do not separate the trash from the recycle stuff, and therefore if the bins are contaminated, the whole bin is lumped into the trash.

The SRC is currently working with administration to improve the recycling situation on campus, but as explained, it takes time to effect change.  In the future we would like to see options available for students to recycle not just paper, but all their cans, bottles and plastics that are generally accepted elsewhere.  At present, if students want to recycle cans, and cardboard off-campus, there are large bins at Walgreens, Albertsons, Wal-mart, and Broulims.