Students can easily follow green trends

By Tracy Birch · The Mainstream
Published February 22, 2011

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one person is responsible for approximately four pounds and four ounces of waste every day, a total of 29 pounds every week. These numbers are shocking, yet even a college student can make a difference.

The current trend to go green is causing people take a second look at what they can do to help the environment. More businesses, schools, and people in general have begun to reduce, reuse and recycle in an effort to cut down on waste.

According to the EPA, in the United States there are about 9,000 curbside recycling programs. Each ton of paper recycled saves the energy equivalent to about 165 gallons of gas. Only about one and one half pounds of the waste each person generates daily gets recycled or composted. Recycling just one ton of aluminum cans will conserve energy equivalent to about 1,665 gallons of gasoline.

One new trend of recycling, referred to as eCycling, is the recycling of electronic devices. The growing rate in which we rely on electronic devices has spurred recycling plans for just about every type of electronic device we own. Cell Phones, computers, printers, televisions, gaming systems and other hand-held devices can easily be recycled.

Many manufacturers and retailers of electronic devices offer some sort of trade-in or take back program. Others sponsor different recycling events. Almost all ink cartridges can be dropped off or mailed in for recycling. Some office supply stores have a program that gives credit to customers for recycling used ink cartridges.

Cell phones can be recycled at most retailers, charities, manufacturers, network carriers and state or local waste sites. It takes energy to mine the materials that make up electronics and more energy to manufacture them. Recycling saves energy and conserves materials, which keeps usable materials out of landfills.

On UCC campus there are blue recycle bins in the office lobbies and in some of the classrooms for paper products. There are marked bottle recycling containers in various halls located on the campus. This makes it convenient for students and instructors to recycle products.

Taking just a few of these steps will make an important impact on the environment and gives one a feeling of pride and sense of accomplishment.

On April 23, one day after National Earth Day, Douglas County will have the annual Earth Day and Energy Fair. The event will be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Fair is free to families who want to go and learn the many aspects of reducing, reusing and recycling through a variety of activities. For the children’s enjoyment they can watch a puppet show, have their faces painted and view exotic animals.

For more information on recycling, reusing and reducing or the Earth Day and Energy Fair go to the Douglas County website at www.co.douglas.or.us or contact the Environmental Protection Agency.

24 ways students can improve
the environment

  1. Students can purchase school supplies made from recycled products.
  2. Walk, ride the bus or carpool.  This reduces emissions and saves gas.
  3. Reuse paper items like folders and paperclips.
  4. Use email instead of creating paper mail.
  5. Use paper from the recycle stack for scratch paper.
  6. Use a washable coffee cup instead of a paper or plastic disposable one.
  7. Use a re-usable water bottle instead of buying water in bottles. If you do
    drink bottled water make sure to recycle your empty water bottles.
  8. Print on both sides of paper, if possible.
  9. Recycle ink cartridges.
  10. Buy used college textbooks or rent them.
  11. Recycle electronics like your computer, cell phone or PDA if broken or you are in need of upgrading.
  12. Replace traditional batteries with rechargeable ones.
  13. Try to think ahead and buy products that you can reuse.
  14. Recycle plastic bags and use a fabric or canvas bag for shopping.
  15. Buy used furniture.
  16. Buy second hand or used clothing at thrift stores, or trade your used clothes
    in at a clothing consignment store.
  17. Wash laundry in cold water and hang to dry if possible.
  18. Install a low-flow shower head, and take showers instead of baths.
  19. Use fabric napkins instead of disposible paper ones.
  20. Use plastic food storage containers instead of plastic wrap, tinfoil or paper
    plates.
  21. Try to reuse containers like bags and packaging whenever possible.
  22. When buying appliances and electric devices, make sure they have an energy
    star label. Old appliances use more electricity than newer ones do.
  23. Use the microwave instead of the oven or stovetop, it uses less electricity.
  24. Turn lights and equipment off if you are not using them.
The Mainstream is a student publication of Umpqua Community College.