UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 18, Page 8
February 4, 1993
Pitching in; Employee recycles, on and off the job

     So you think you know how to recycle? Maybe. But chances are that even
a serious recycler can learn a few new tips from Roger Bowman.
     Since last year, the grounds supervisor also has been coordinating the
University's recycling program. Bowman is able to tell you where to deposit
anything from aluminum cans to Post-it notes, and everything in between.
But that was not always the case.
     A recent recycler himself, Bowman admits he only began recycling when
a solid waste igloo site was placed conveniently outside his office in late
1990. He started recycling at work with a little bit of everything-but
mostly newspapers. Looking back, Bowman acknowledged convenience as the
major factor in his initial recycling attempt.
     About a year later, in February 1992, Bowman took his interest in
recycling home. He said the University's program gave him the incentive to
continue recycling and got his family involved in depositing everything
else that can be put into the igloo sites- aluminum cans, bottles and
plastics. As a result of his family's involvement, Bowman said he has
noticed a considerable decrease in the amount of trash coming out of his
house.
     Bowman has been working at the University for 21 years. During this
time, he has been responsible for supervising campus trash removal.
Thinking back on his appointment as recycling coordinator, he said it was
logical that he be selected for the position since trash removal and
recycling go hand and hand. In addition to his job at grounds, Bowman's
recycling responsibilities include the daily overall operation,
establishing the collection schedules, educating campus organizations and
offices about recycling and supervising student workers and interns.
     Through his contact with staff, students, faculty and administrators,
Bowman said he has noticed a significant change in attitudes toward
recycling. "Most people are aware of recycling. People understand why it
has to be done, and most people are cooperating in the recycling efforts,"
Bowman said.
     Recycling is an issue that has recently received much publicity, and
it's one that people are becoming sensitive to, Bowman said. He added that
people are realizing the important correlation between recycling and the
future.
     Bowman explained that it is important for everyone to be aware that
saving natural resources will reduce the amount of trash being buried in
the ground. "Landfills should be utilized for materials that cannot be
recycled," he said. Recycling now will prolong the lifespan of the limited
number of landfill sites, he added.
     "Landfill space cannot be manmade, and nobody wants to have one placed
in their backyard," Bowman said.
     However, there are still a significant number of employees who are
confused or not accustomed to recycling. Because of this, the current
program is designed to help them realize why the program is important and
get them involved.
     Bowman and his six part-time student interns encourage recycling in a
positive way. They talk to people in an upbeat manner, telling them how the
new system has made recycling convenient for them. "We are not trying to be
the recycling police," he stressed.
     Inconvenience is the major reason why people do not recycle, he said,
explaining that it seems to be a hassle for some to pay attention to what
they are throwing into garbage cans. However, since the kickoff of the
campus program a year ago, many people have trained themselves to separate
their trash, he said. "To them, it's second nature, they don't even think
about it anymore."
     This automatic recycling occurs in the Bowman household as well. He
said his youngest daughter,Abby, voluntarily began the family efforts with
him last February. Bowman's wife, Sharon, and older daughter,Amy,
eventually started to recycle with some coaching from the others.
     The same thing happens in a business or work setting, he said. When
co-workers are recycling, it is much easier to motivate and involve others.
     "Cooperation is the key to the success of this recycling program,"
Bowman said. "It cannot exist without the help of every professor,
administrator, custodian, student and staff member."
                                        -Jennifer Acocella