The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 M-W

At the University of Denver, efforts are being made through the DU Recycles program. The program aims to make recycling convenient for students and faculty by placing recycling bins next to most trash bins on campus. 

Recycling efforts have started to grow dramatically in Denver in recent years. In 2013, the city put forward a goal of increasing recycling to 35% by 2020. Yet as of last year, Denver’s recycling rate still sat at around 23%. 

“It’s hard to think about where I’m throwing my trash when I’m in a rush to class,” said Annie Bryan, a student at the University of Denver. 

Bryan feels that this same issue is reflected throughout the DU community in their own recycling efforts. That being said, her level of care is shifting with the rise in media coverage on climate change and pollution.

“With everything you see in the news about taking care of the earth and all the pollution happening, of course I want to try to contribute,” said Bryan.

Bryan is not alone in her wish to recycle more. Another DU student, Aris McCurdy, has already started to see her habits surrounding waste disposal change. Seeing the effects waste is having on her immediate environment, McCurdy believes we should be doing what we can to contribute. 

“I definitely think we should be recycling more on campus, it’s so easy to just separate your trash and help out the environment where you can. It’s not hard when the option is pretty much always right there in front of you,” said McCurdy. 

Student at the University of Denver, Marlena Culver remarked, “Recycling has always been important to me, so I make sure I do it when I can.”

Culver, who considers herself environmentally conscious, feels that recycling around campus is easily done. However, her own awareness may influence her decision making. For Culver, its a no brainer when it comes to tossing her recyclables into the right bin. However, for other less educated students, it isn’t so easy.

“I think a lot of other student’s decision to not recycle, is about not knowing what is recyclable,” remarked Culver when asked about why the recycling rate remains low.

Culver seems to feel that with an increase in education on campus surrounding what can and can’t be recycled, and about general environmental awareness, student recycling rates may see an increase. 

“I think if DU made a greater effort to inform students on what can be recycled, people would start to give it some more thought.”

There seems to be a common consensus among DU students interviewed regarding whether recycling efforts on campus are necessary and will have a positive impact on their surrounding environment. The idea that with increased ease of access to recycle, and more information surrounding what recycling can do for the environment, more people will do so. It’s hard to tell, but it seems the attitudes of many students at the University of Denver are hopeful when it comes to a more sustainable campus. 

As Culver noted, “I think people want to recycle, they just don’t necessarily know how to.”