OPINION & EDITORIAL
Reduce, reuse, refuse?
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by Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I'm left flabbergasted by the hypocrisy that is our eco-friendly Madison community. On our green campus where conserving efforts for Madison's lakes are a top priority, it seems absurd that the UW System has not executed recycling efforts in both public and private residences. I'm not a liberal tree-hugging hippie, but a concerned student who cringes every time I'm required to discard yet another plastic soda bottle or beer can with the rest of the waste.
The city of Madison has no excuse anymore. I live on Langdon, located in the epicenter of campus, just one block from UW buildings and State Street. While several bars and libraries provide recycling cans and scheduled pickups, it would be in the city's best interest to provide private residences, including Greek houses and apartment buildings, the recycling option. According to UW's "We Conserve" website, last year the UW campus discarded 9,849 tons of materials. Of that waste, the campus was able to recycle 2,358 tons of it (24 percent). While this preservation program shows promising results, this is not enough.
While the execution of a more efficient recycling system will take time to develop, efforts must start now. The Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) program will start the campuswide project to provide recycling utilities to private residences bordering Langdon. This is an imperative effort that will spark recognition and change among UW students and staff alike. The Badger community unites over school spirit, booze and football every weekend; it is time to get in the spirit of recycling!
Samantha Gould
UW junior
srgould@wisc.edu
Anonymous (November 20, 2007 @ 11:34am):
agreed!
Anonymous (November 20, 2007 @ 3:49pm):
I agree; that 24 percent could and should be a lot higher.
Anonymous (November 20, 2007 @ 7:14pm):
leave it to the free market to solve all the earth's environmental problems... the same problems the free market created
Anonymous (November 22, 2007 @ 10:40am):
I'm sorry, is CFACT actually doing something?!?
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