By KRISTIN HODGES

kdh027@latech.edu

 

Tech is becoming more environmentally friendly as four new recycling bins have been placed in the Student Center and in the lobby of Keeny Hall.

Corwin Washington, Student Government Association environmental action director, said SGA recently bought four more bins for paper products to help keep Tech’s campus clean.

Washington, a sophomore environmental science major, said recycling bins were previously available in the Prescott Memorial Library, Mitchell Residential Hall, George T. Madison Hall and several other locations around campus.

“As of now, only newspapers, office papers and phone books are being collected to be recycled,” Washington said.

He said Trailblazer Recycling collects the materials and empties the bins for SGA.

“Everyone at some time buys paper, plastic and glass products,” Washington said. “Why just throw it away to go to a landfill? Why not recycle it and help make a difference?”

Adam Waldon, a senior environmental science major, said he cares about recycling because he likes to use all he can out of materials.

“If we all pick up after each other, whether it is a piece of paper on the ground or properly disposing and separating our trash, the world itself would be that much better,” he said.

Waldon said the problem with recycling is convincing students to start recycling and keep doing it, even if their individual contribution is small.

Caleb Smith, SGA president and a senior marketing major, said recycling is a way to save money and help the environment.

“I think it is important for us to take responsibility for the environment and make wise use of the resources we have,” Smith said.

Washington said recycling saves valuable landfill space and Louisiana’s resources.

“Trees are Louisiana’s most abundant resource, so it is only fitting to save the trees from further destruction from logging companies,” Washington said.

“If we can do something to save them, like recycle paper and paper products [can] reduce the demand for cutting down more trees.”