UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 3, Page 1
September 19, 1991
Students help in expansion of campus recycling effort

     As disposables, non-returnables, throwaways, non-reusables,
toss-outs and reams of used paper pile high and landfills fill,
recycling is the way to trash. The old adage, "waste not, want
not," is taking on new meaning.
     At Delaware, recycling is a concern shared by the entire
University community, uniting students, faculty, staff and
administrators. Last spring, a recycling program was initiated at
the University, when a recycling subcommittee of the President's
Environmental Concerns Committee was formed, and a pilot recycling
project for paper was established at Hullihen, Graham and Newark
halls.
     Students facilitated the pilot program, asking staff in the
buildings to separate their trash, putting recyclable paper in a
container in offices and other trash in different containers.The
program has been successful, according to Tom Vacha, director of
plant operations and chairperson of the recycling subcommittee, and
the next step will be implementing paper recycling in all academic
buildings.
     In addition, paper from the Computing Center on Wyoming Road,
corrugated cardboard from Graham Hall and plastics and Styrofoam
from dining facilities are being recycled.
     This week, a nine-week pilot program has been initiated in all
the residence halls, organized by Vicki Paisley and Robert
Longwell-Grice, both assistant directors of housing and residence
life. Containers are in place for collecting aluminum cans and
green and brown glass. The program will be monitored to determine
its effectiveness and if changes should be made, according to
Paisley.
     Another ongoing recycling project on campus involves the
Delaware Solid Waste Authority igloos for collecting glass,
aluminum and paper.
     Groups such as fraternities and sororities collect aluminum
cans on campus, Vacha said, sometimes funding their programs with
the proceeds. These efforts are coordinated by the Office of
Student Affairs, which must approve recycling projects.
     Some individual offices have begun recycling cans, glass,
plastic and paper.
     In addition, the state of Delaware has a process for
separating recyclables, such as metal from garbage, Vacha said,
which is fairly effective, although part of the system is not
currently operating. One of the by-products of the system is ash
that can be used to enhance the pouring and settling properties of
cement.
     "Recycling is the right and moral thing to do, which is why
the University is involved in supporting it. Financially, we break
about even and have to be aware that the market fluctuates, and
prices can go down," Vacha said.
     "We have made a modest beginning at the University rather than
trying to start a campuswide program all at once. We have had good
cooperation and are looking for areas where recycling can be
expanded."
     Other members of the subcommittee are Douglas Brown, associate
director of Housing and Residence Life; Jennette Collins, associate
director of Dining Services; Charlene Jaeger, assistant to the vice
president for student affairs; Tom Taylor, superintendent of
grounds; and Ann Weinacht, senior secretary in Operations Research.
                                        - Sue Swyers Moncure