When you're done reading this paper, make sure you recycle it. If you're in the Student Union it'll be a little easier said than done. Looking around, you may not even be able to find any recycling bins.
Students around campus have questioned the general absence of recycling bins in the Student Union, especially after all the recent renovations and additions. This is not a new question and it is one that Student Union officials have attempted to answer.
"Early last semester Chuck Morrell [the associate director of operations for the Student Union] told students that recycling bins for the Student union had been ordered," said Katie Gherard, the president of the EcoHusky student group and a 6th-semester environmental science and ecology and evolutionary biology double major.
According to Gherard, the new recycling bins were designed specifically for the Student Union. She described the new recycling bins as large wooden containers with several holes in the lid, each marked for a different type of waste - trash, paper or bottles and cans.
"Since [Morrell told us the bins had been ordered], he has not responded to e-mails or notes left at his office," said Gherard. "We have yet to see him in person and talk to him about this, but we have tried. We want to know why the bins, that were said to be ordered before the fall semester started, haven't come in and when they will."
In hopes of inspiring Student Union officials to action, EcoHusky hung environmentally-themed valentines on the door of the Division of Student Affairs office Tuesday after business hours. The protest aimed to highlight the importance of the recycling issue and to show an appreciation for the efforts that have been made.
"We want [Morrell] to know that his efforts are noticed and appreciated," Gherard said. "This is just our way of reminding him that recycling is important to UConn students."
According to Gherard, the valentines were made by the EcoHuskies at a meeting earlier in the week. The cards varied in size from as small as a credit card to poster-sized.
"Dear Chuck, Recycle & Love the environment," read the message in one card. "Have a wonderful Valentine's day!"
Another read: "Just wishing you a happy Valentine's Day! Love the environment as much as we love you."
Recently two recycling containers were added to the main floor of the Student Union, however, they are only for bottles and cans and are not the new containers Morrell described to students. These recycling bins are of the same kind as those in dorms around campus - big, unsightly barrels.
According to Gherard, Morrell asked EcoHusky to make signs about recycling that were specific and unique to the Student Union. After the signs were made and delivered, nothing happened - no signs have been hung and none of the special bins have been set out.
Morrell was not available for comment when his office was contacted Tuesday.
Most of the offices throughout the Student Union, including the Student Union Board Of Govenors and Women's Center offices, have small recycling bins for paper.
"We have [paper] recycling bins in our office," said Alison Berk, a 6th-semester philosophy major who works in the women's center in the new wing of the Student Union. "[Student Union employees] empty the bins regularly too, I think every night."
EcoHusky officals say their protest was prompted in-part by repeated complaints from the student body about the lack of recycling options in the Student Union.
"EcoHusky is often contacted by students about their concern for recycling on this campus," said Leah Giffin, an EcoHusky officer and 6th-semester environmental policy major. "Recycling in the new Student Union would be a step in the right direction to fulfill this request."
For EcoHusky, the recycling issue in the Student Union is about proliferation; the group wants to expand the recycling program beyond paper collection in the offices and two bottle/can collectors in the main lobby.
"Ideally we'd like to see the new recycling bins that were designed for the Student Union put out," said an EcoHusky that wished to remain anonymous to avoid connecting the protest with another group he is a member of. "But even just having the old style bins put in the food court would be a vast improvement. Having them there would reduce the amount of recyclables needlessly thrown away."
EcoHusky officers have offered to provide the manual labor needed to place all the recycling bins around the Student Union.
"We'd be willing to put out the containers for [Morrell] and we'd invite any student, faculty and staff to join with us," Gherard said. "It'll be a show of solidarity for all environmentally-conscious minds on campus."
By Timothy Bleasdale