Spring Break
EDITORIAL: Eco-friendly waste reform
Editorial | 11/20/07
Posted online at 10:03 PM EST on 11/19/07
/ Last updated at 2:34 AM EST on 11/19/07
Producing too much waste is not a problem isolated to our campus. However, it came to light last Wednesday when Students for Environmental Action lined campus with the previous day's trash. The display showed passer-by that we should recycle more of what we produce and can be more mindful of the enormous amount of garbage we generate.
According to Prof. Laura Goldin (ENVS), "If everyone on earth consumed the way that the average student in the United States consumed, it would take six earths to produce enough just for the United States." Brandeis, which produces one to two tons of waste per year apparently fills 294 bags of trash in a given day. SEA found that 77 of those bags could have been recycled. That means that 26 percent of our trash could be recycled and currently is not. While the University could easily be doing a less effective job of recycling and waste management, as a community we are not doing enough.
Small efforts to initiate change are crucial.
The dining halls all have separate trash and recycling bins located side by side. This organizational system allows for students to take one trip to dispose of both trash and recyclables. Some students, however, choose to dispose of everything, including plastic, glass and paper products in the same bin. Students must be more aware of the impact of their actions.
Instead of using plastic and paper goods, the University could switch to all reusable goods or at least minimize the output of such products. At the very least, students should make the effort to recycle the plastic and paper disposable goods that they choose to use.
We hope that the efforts of SEA don't go unnoticed. Last Wednesday's event calls for reflection on the part of our community. Let the sight of so much waste heighten our awareness and incite a more serious conversation on campus about the need to recycle.
According to Prof. Laura Goldin (ENVS), "If everyone on earth consumed the way that the average student in the United States consumed, it would take six earths to produce enough just for the United States." Brandeis, which produces one to two tons of waste per year apparently fills 294 bags of trash in a given day. SEA found that 77 of those bags could have been recycled. That means that 26 percent of our trash could be recycled and currently is not. While the University could easily be doing a less effective job of recycling and waste management, as a community we are not doing enough.
Small efforts to initiate change are crucial.
The dining halls all have separate trash and recycling bins located side by side. This organizational system allows for students to take one trip to dispose of both trash and recyclables. Some students, however, choose to dispose of everything, including plastic, glass and paper products in the same bin. Students must be more aware of the impact of their actions.
Instead of using plastic and paper goods, the University could switch to all reusable goods or at least minimize the output of such products. At the very least, students should make the effort to recycle the plastic and paper disposable goods that they choose to use.
We hope that the efforts of SEA don't go unnoticed. Last Wednesday's event calls for reflection on the part of our community. Let the sight of so much waste heighten our awareness and incite a more serious conversation on campus about the need to recycle.
Be the first to comment on this story