The Retort

Another Step in the Right Direction

Wed November 11th, 2009 by Jason Rodriguez For The Retort

Environmental Sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

For folks who frequent the Liberal Arts and Library Building, you’ve no doubt noticed the blue recycling bins setup by the Associated Students of Montana State University Billings (ASMSUB) last year. This is the latest attempt to realize a recycling program on our campus - but this year the ASMSUB can guarantee it will be the last.

Under student body President Rob Barnosky and in conjunction with the Environmental Awareness Club, the ASMSUB created the Student Initiated Recycling Program (SIRP). Additionally, they established a position within student government for a Sustainability Coordinator to oversee the program, and expand sustainability initiatives that are important to students. I had the privilege of being the Sustainability Coordinator over the summer, and will continue in that position this semester.

Due to the prohibitive costs of purchasing the blue recycling containers, the SIRP originally intended to incrementally cover the campus over the span of five years. While that plan was reasonable, I am often too impatient to be reasoned with. My goal was to have campus-wide recycling in place by the start of this semester, but that proved a little more difficult than anticipated. Fortunately, with bit of luck and a substantial donation by the local Coca-Cola Bottling Company we are on the downhill stretch of realizing a campus wide recycling program.

When I first met Doug Becker, the sales center manager at the Billings branch of the Coca-Cola Co., I knew immediately we had an ally in our efforts. Besides being receptive to the idea of recycling, he was happy to help us realize our goal. “Not only does this program give the [Coca-Cola] company a chance to help the [MSUB] campus,” he said “but it’s the right thing to do.”

The solution to the bulk of our container problem came in the form of reused syrup containers, which Coke ships to its bottlers across the country. The containers are sturdy and voluminous, perfect for our needs. A little ingenuity and teamwork on the part of Coca-Cola and student senators of ASMSUB, and presto: recycling containers!

The program is on its way and you’ll see more recycling stations popping up around campus this semester. What is helpful to take away from this effort is that students can make a difference on this campus - if you get involved! While the cost of this program is funded by student fees, the administration has given us the green light to move forward and supports our efforts. With partners like Coca-Cola and Earth First Aid (the company contracted to pick up our recyclables) the MSUB campus has taken another step in the right direction.

I’d like to personally thank: Doug Becker, Jeff Edwards, and the crew at Coca-Cola; Chancellor Sexton; Senators Jared Coyle, Ashley Adams, Grace Horman, and Tyler Rutledge; and Joey Krenzer, President of the Environmental Awareness Club.

Finally, keep your eyes open later in the semester for the opportunity to show your support for the SIRP by sponsoring a recycling station. And don’t forget to check out the SIRP website.