Expanded recycling program aims to keep campus clean

If Sacramento State’s campus appears to be a little extra sparkling and bright this fall, it may be because of an improved recycling program designed to make the University more environmentally friendly.

The “Sac State Recycles” initiative will focus on educating students about new recycling efforts in different areas of campus. The initiative kicked off with displays during student move-in to inform residents about how to recycle in the residence halls. It will continue with education efforts during Thursday’s Phlagleblast events in the University Union to inform students about new recycling bins in the Union and around campus.

The University’s lush and leafy landscape will be at the focus of President Alexander Gonzalez’ newly convened Recycling Task Force’s efforts. According to Roger Guzowski, facilities management’s recycling and waste coordinator, one of the department’s main concerns is special events.

“We’re trying to increase the amount of recycling bins and trash receptacles at the numerous events around campus,” he said. “It’s a cooperative approach with members of several organizations on campus, including the Environmental Student Organization, Housing and Residential Life, Associated Students, the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and the Sacramento Conservation Corps,” he said.

In previous years, he says, the campus has been so successful at diverting “behind the scenes” waste out of the landfill, taking care of industrial waste, and cleaning out classrooms and buildings in areas that students and campus visitors might not notice. This includes materials such as cardboard, office paper, scrap metal recycling, and landscape waste. “This past semester we were looking at promoting the programs that we already had in place,” said Guzowski.

Since 2000, Sacramento State has been under a legislative mandate AB75 - to divert material out of landfills. In 2002, Sacramento State was the only California university to receive the State Agency Recycling Recognition Award from the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The award was given to state agencies that were able to comply with the AB75 mandate. The board cited the University as having evolved from merely a voluntary community drop-off system into “a comprehensive integrated waste management program.”

— Josh Huggett