Contest hopes to beautify campus

It’s not easy being green – that’s why IU students are using as much color as possible to design new recycling bins. \nThe IU Task Force for Campus Sustainability is holding a contest for recycling bin designs. All IU students or groups of students can submit their original work. The bolder the better. \nJordan Jacobs, a member of the campus task force, came up with the idea. He said he thought that outrageous, outdoor recycling bins would catch people’s eyes, and in return, bring attention to recycling. He said the concept for the 55-gallon, eye-catching bins was modeled after the artistic cows that were popular attractions in New York and Chicago. \n“It will be fun to see all the different designs on bins around campus,” said Lauren Muskat, co-director of Collins Living-Learning Center’s E-Force.\n“It is important for people to visually see it. There is no doubt these are for recycling,” Jacobs said. “They will be clear and distinctive.”\nHe said there is no outdoor recycling on campus now, and the indoor cans often get confused with the trash cans. These decorated bins should prevent this from happening, he said.\nSteve Akers, associate director of Environmental Operations for Residential Programs and Services, said one of the main goals of this project is to build interest in recycling and to make it more convenient. \nAkers said the project was developed to get students, staff, faculty and visitors involved in outdoor recycling. These bins are not permanent, but a temporary project that will help gauge how much recyclable material is collected. This is the first step to help determine the best locations for placing permanent recycling bins on campus, he said.\nJacobs said the campus needs to become more environmentally aware, but it has to start with the students in order for the administration to care.\nVanessa Caruso, president of Volunteers in Sustainability, said the project is meant to “get students aware of how they play a part in making a successful recycling program at IU.” \nThe contest will help promote a campus-wide program and show that recycling outdoors is viable, she said.\n“A hot button topic right now is energy conservation and the environmental impact,” Akers said. “Recycling is one piece of the larger picture.” \nHe said recycling efficiently makes use out of products instead of having them become wastes that get dumped into landfills. \nVolunteers will take all of the aluminum goods collected to the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center. The proceeds from the aluminum collection will help fund the center’s youth gardening program. \nThe judges will consist of a diverse group of members including a member of the fine arts department, the IU architect office, the business and marketing department, a community member and one or two students. The student work will be analyzed by how striking it is and by its originality. \nThe top 10 winning designers will get the chance to paint their artwork on one of the recycling bins to be displayed throughout campus. Monetary prizes of $100, $50 and $25 will be given to the top three student designers. Supplies will be provided for all 10 winners.\nThe bins will be moved in spring 2009. Future plans for the bins may include use at outdoor events such as football games, the Little 500 race and tailgating.\nThe contest is open to IU students only, and the design must be submitted by 5 p.m., March 3. Entry forms can be picked up in the fine arts building, room 124 or online on the IU Sustainability Web site, www.indiana.edu/~sustain/contest.html.