The DU campus is looking to become more environmentally friendly with the help of a variety of student groups as well as the election of a new president and vice president of the All Undergraduate Student Association (AUSA).
Students at DU have rallied to create a campus that is eco-friendly and sustainable for the long term by forming groups such as Sustainable DU and “I demand…better recycling at DU!” as well as working closely with the Senate. Through a variety of media outlets such as newsletters, flyers and Facebook groups, students are brainstorming ways to gain student and faculty support for their causes as well as different plans of action to help reduce the campus’ environmental footprint.
“Growing up in Colorado, recycling was something I never thought about – I just did it,” said sophomore Bay Nordstrom. “It’s hard at this campus to continue these good habits because most of the buildings and classrooms lack efficient recycling facilities.”
Newly elected AUSA vice president Antoine Perretta hopes to develop a more centralized recycling program that would extend to include the whole campus.
“I think what we have so far is good, but not enough. I think that it needs to be greatly expanded and mainstreamed,” said Perretta. B “It needs to include bins in all dorm rooms and all academic buildings.”
A comprehensive eco-friendly campus is one of his goals.
“I would like to see more of a paperless campus: professors not giving paper exams if they can avoid it, not printing off your syllabus, course-packs on Blackboard instead of having to purchase a hard copy,” said Perretta. “I would love to see a substantial decrease of the use of bottled water on campus from students, faculty and staff.”
Perretta is currently working with former student Sen. DJ Close on a recycling program that would be implemented in the Greek houses, starting with the houses on Old Row as well as Sigma Chi and eventually expanding to NewRow and Sorority Row.
Another advocate for the cause is Emily Wheaton, a music student from Salt Lake City, who started a campaign for better recycling at DU. One organization that has gained student support is her Facebook group, “I demand…better recycling at DU!”
“I grew up in a ski town in Utah so I’m used to everyone at least trying to recycle,” said Wheaton. “I try and treat myself well but if I don’t treat the Earth well, she is not going to provide me with the things I need to stay healthy. People don’t realize what a footprint they can leave.”
The group, which currently has 89 members, is in the beginning stages of development with most of its focus on trying to gain public support. Wheaton has contacted CU Boulder about trying to revamp the school’s ideas and has contacted Wendy Vernon-Dzaman, president of the Law and Society Students Association at DU’s Women’s College.
Wheaton hopes to see more recycling bins and pickup points around campus and envisions that trash bins will eventually be divided into glass, paper, plastic and trash so students won’t have to stand in front of the bin trying to sort it all out. Wheaton says that paper-recycling bins should definitely be in every classroom, especially at the music building because students throw a lot of paper away.
Wendy Vernon-Dzaman, who said she has begun revamping the Women’s College, is working on a presentation she will hold in mid-May to explore the ways in which the campus can improve its recycling and environmental impact. The presentation would include students from Sustainable DU as well as members from other student organizations such as the Environmental Awareness club.
“We are working to permanently change our lifestyle for the greater good,” said Vernon-Dzaman.
One program implemented in January was recycling at the Daniels College of Business. It was headed by graduate students Charles Coggeshall and Irina Pinkhasova, who dedicate specific times to collecting the recyclables.
The program focuses on three main elements:
1. DCB will have a recycling bin of equal or larger size next to every trash can in the building.
2. The recycling is a single-stream system with bins accepting glass, plastics, paper and other recyclable materials in the same receptacle. This is what the city of Denver uses, and its convenience results in higher recycling rates.
3. An awareness campaign.B Raising awareness about the program, including what can and cannot be recycled is a key component.B
If students are looking for little ways to reduce their impact on the environment, Wheaton and Perretta suggest a variety of possible solutions such as finding an alternative to buying bottled water, reading assigned Blackboard readings on one’s computer instead of printing them and putting recyclables aside for a weekly recycling trip.
“I think a big one is turning lights on or off and turning off laptop speakers even if you don’t turn your laptop off. Obviously don’t leave the water running and only use as much toilet paper as needed as well as recycle as much as you can,” says Wheaton. “Don’t drive to Chipotle. You can walk!”
For students looking to get involved, Perretta suggests contacting their AUSA class senator.
