Mar 12, 2014 |

By Kiara Catanzaro, ’15

Since Recyclemania began on Feb. 2, St. Bonaventure students have been “feeding the wolf” to support the environment of the campus community.

Recyclemania is a nationwide competition, and it’s important for students to understand how recycling impacts the environment. Eight St. Bonaventure students were asked to provide their opinions, discussing whether they think recycling and Recyclemania are effective.

Hannah Gordon and Lian Bunny, two freshmen journalism and mass communication majors; Jasmine Foster, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major; Sierra Nutt, a sophomore education major; Sabine Wakim, a sophomore international studies and philosophy major; Kevin Rogers, a senior journalism and mass communication major; and Josh Carniewski and Chris Scheppner, graduate students in the integrated marketing communications program, all agreed that recycling is necessary for the environment.

However, despite the importance of recycling, Foster said that Recyclemania could promote their cause better.

“I feel like there are a lot of events regarding Recyclemania, but I don’t think they promote their cause very efficiently,” Foster said. “If they [Tread Lightly] gave more information about what they are trying to accomplish, it would help the club reach its goals for the project.” 

Nutt said she thinks Recyclemania has helped students better understand how we can help the environment within the campus community. 

“Tread Lightly gives a lot of information for students throughout this project,” Nutt said. “There are information sheets (Toilet Talks) in bathroom stalls, which explain its goals and other facts about recycling. Tread Lightly also allows volunteer opportunities for students and other events for Recyclemania, which helps students to develop a better understanding of how important recycling is.”

Rogers said that although recycling is important, garbage only consists of a small percentage on an overall scale.

“Recycling is an important way to limit our individual environmental harm, but it’s important to be realistic about the size of impact it makes,” Rogers said. “I learned in Environmental Politics last semester that traditional garbage makes up about one percent of total solid waste. Ninety-four percent comes from industrial sources. It’s obviously better to recycle, but it's crucial to keep the wider perspective before we pat ourselves on the back for it.”

Bunny said she agrees with Nutt and thinks Recyclemania is effective because it teaches how students can help the environment with information about recycling.

“I think Recyclemania is a great idea because helping our environment is our duty as human beings,” Bunny said. “A lot of people, including myself, don’t know what is recyclable. This project will help inform students about recycling.”

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. We are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition. Our students are becoming extraordinary.