It takes many people to make Marshall University’s recycling program a success, but Student Recyclers do the daily legwork.
Part of their job is driving the Kawasawki ATV around campus making stops at the recycling pods.
“We should recycle so we can become a better campus,” said Student Recycler Jason Smith, an environmental science major from Kenova, W.Va. “Recycling keeps us from using new resources and helps slow filling of the landfills.”
Following a route around campus, Student Recyclers stop at designated recycling drop-off locations to pick up materials to be sent to the compactor.
The compactor is located in the parking lot between Harris Hall and the Science building. It houses up to 11 tons of recyclables including paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and paperboard.
The Student Recyclers not only collect the recyclable materials, but also load and operate the compactor.
“It’s a fitness job,” said Sustainability Manager Margie Phillips. “They work hard.”
The Student Recyclers must be capable of doing a lot of walking and lifting, according to the university’s job description.
“The recycling was slow at first,” said Student Recycler Emily Walton, an environmental science major from eastern Kentucky.
Smith said if there is any trash, liquid or food waste then the entire bag must be thrown in the trash.
“The problem was that no one knew about it, and there was a lot of garbage mixed in with it that made it unusable,” Smith said.
“We found a lot of tissues and an ice cream cone, but lately it’s been better and there hasn’t been as much trash,” Walton said.
“Knowledge is key,” Philllips said. “We have posted signs at many of the containers and we have been trying to educate people about recycling and our program.”
Phillips said the Student Recyclers will not be out as much when the weather gets bad.
“Only two can ride in the cart, and if we have more, they have to walk, so rainy days are not so good,” Walton said.
On some days there is more to be picked up than other days, Walton said.
Phillips and the Student Recyclers agreed several of the buildings on campus such as the Science building, Old Main, the Morrow Library, and the Cam Henderson Center were doing a good job with recycling, pick-ups could be better coordinated, in some areas on campus.
“The program seems to spread by word of mouth,” Phillips said. “One department gets excited about it and spreads it to another, and it keeps on going.”
Though the students take their job seriously, they like to have a little fun joking about the importance of the recycling they are doing.
“We protect and serve the environment,” Watson said smiling proudly.
Elizabeth Adams can be contacted at mccoma36@marshall.edu
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