Cleanlink News August 25 2009
Recycling Program Teaches Good Habits
At the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., three departments — the Center for Sustainability; Facilities Operations, Housekeeping; and KU Recycling — have joined forces to run a pilot program called the Campus Litter Reduction Campaign. The program’s goal is to reduce the amount of litter on campus to ease frustrations from students and staff, as well as save the housekeeping staff some time at night.
“We want to spread awareness that it’s on us to keep these rooms clean during the day,” Celeste Hoins, administrative manager for KU Recycling said. “It’s littering. We shouldn’t do it on the street; why would we want to dirty up our hallways and classrooms?”
Key to the campaign are the groups of three bins located outside almost every classroom. One bin is for recycling newspapers, one is for recycling bottles and cans and one is for throwing away trash. Hoins said the University didn’t purchase any new bins for the campaign, but rather relocated other bins on campus to make recycling and throwing away waste more visible and convenient for students.
According to reports, cleaning an average classroom takes 30 to 40 minutes, on average, including five and 10 minutes to pick up the trash left behind. In some rooms, where trash was prominent, the housekeeping staff could spend 20 to 30 minutes just picking up newspapers and food containers left behind from students. If this recycling program is successful, the housekeeping staff could devote more time to disinfecting surfaces to help limit the spread of disease.
Representatives from the three groups said they hoped the campaign would increase awareness about littering, reduce trash pick-up and instill a sense of pride in students for the University’s campus.
Click here to read this full article from Kansan.com.
