Recycling is important, but we can and should do more

I was pleased to read in the IDS that Residential Programs and Services is further implementing ways to educate students about how to help the environment. As we all know, every day we are making crucial decisions that will affect not only our life, but also the life of future generations in America and on Earth.

Developing recycling opportunities on campus is important and timely. A survey of 450 IUB students conducted last spring by a Sociology 110 class (“Charts, Graphs and Tables”) and supported by the Hutton Honors College, shows that undergraduate students are less likely to recycle than the average American.

This is neither because students lack interest nor because they don’t care for the environment. Our findings show that students are indeed interested in recycling and perceive this behavior as a way to make our campus more sustainable.

Recycling, however, is not enough and there are other steps that we should take beforehand.

First, we can begin by reducing the amount of resources we consume, such as water, paper and electricity.

Second, reusing materials in their original form or passing those materials on to others who could use them. Reducing consumption and reusing are more environmentally sound than recycling because we put less energy and resources into these processes. Also, reducing and reusing result in smaller amount of waste. Findings from the Sociology 110 survey show that less than 10 percent of the students indicated they are reducing the amount of paper and electricity they are using unnecessarily (for example by avoiding printing when possible, practicing double-sided printing and unplugging appliances when not in use). Yet, high proportions of students said they are likely to practice these activities once they are introduced to these ideas.

Conclusion: educating and providing the right opportunities and incentives are needed!
The common talk about recycling and how important and beneficial it is allows us to stay comfortably in the “business as usual” mode. But this is not enough. Herman B Wells, the 11th president of IU, advocated the retaining of tree and green space throughout the campus. That was his vision of being “green”. Today, we know that preserving nature is a key step but not enough. We can and should do more. It’s time for serious reflection about our version of being responsible citizens, especially as students. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – in this very order – could be a good start.