AS tables recycling program

By Kirstie Hettinga
The Collegian

Recycling bins promised to Fresno State by the city continue to collect dust instead of bottles and cans as Associated Students tabled an initiative to form a recycling program for the second time last week.

“It’s stuck in limbo on the agenda because we’re in the process of formulating, because it got rolled out a little bit before we were ready,” said Josh McDonald, the senator for the College of Arts and Humanities.

Members of AS said they hope to be more proactive in on-campus recycling, and would like to take action by creating a committee for an AS Recycling Program.

The measure was put forth by Executive Vice President Stephen Trembley. Trembley said Fresno State is required to recycle a certain amount and the committee would oversee a recycling program to help increase the amount of recycled material.

McDonald is a member of the Fresno State Recycling Club — a grassroots program that started in the dorms. The Recycling Club began with one bin in the residence halls and expanded by purchasing more bins with the money collected from turning in recyclable materials.

“I would like to see recycling all over campus,” McDonald said.

McDonald said the club’s concern for expanding campus wide was how the recyclable materials would be picked up. Bob Gedert, Chief of Commercial Operations Solid Waste Division for the city of Fresno, has arranged for 27 pairs of bins to be made available for Fresno State, and Plant Operations has agreed to allow the bins to be placed on campus. However, the campus planning commission must also approve the bins. AS is expecting to get the result of the meeting December 3.

The proposed AS committee would be responsible for coordinating the pick-up and disposal of the recyclable goods. The committee is also discussing limiting the placement of the cans to the area known as the quad and the University Student Union area for the time being.

McDonald and Trembley said the idea for AS to get involved in recycling has been in the works for some time.

“This is moving frustratingly slow for me,” McDonald said.

According to McDonald, the landfills in Fresno will reach their maximum capacity within the next year and an all-inclusive program is needed to address this issue.

“My goal is to get a comprehensive program so the whole campus is working together,” McDonald said.

The bill is supported by McDonald, senators Jackie Schnee and Simon Haeder and AS President Juan Pablo Moncayo.

AS is also looking to obtain funds for a golf cart to be used for collection. Moncayo said most golf carts are purchased with donations. Where the golf cart is parked is an issue as well, but Moncayo said AS has entered into a verbal commitment with Plant Operations in regards to parking.

“Recycling isn’t a political issue. It’s really about being efficient,” Moncayo said.

McDonald and Moncayo agree there is a need for Fresno State to catch up and other schools in the CSU system have recycling and sustainability projects.

Moncayo said CSU Long Beach’s program is fully funded by its student government, but Fresno State is looking to form a hybrid with AS and the city of Fresno. Moncayo hopes the recycling program will take off without expanding the budget.

To aid in reducing the cost of the program, Moncayo hopes clubs will be interested in gaining community service hours by volunteering to help with collection. Moncayo also said an incentive program may be set up to encourage groups to participate.

“We need to start being more environmentally conscious,” Moncayo said.

Due to the delays, McDonald said pending the approval of the committee students can expect to see the program begin no later than the spring semester.

McDonald is eager to see recycling become a serious issue for Fresno State students. “For everyone it makes sense, it’s a really good habit we need to develop.”

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