During the April 14 Douglas Hall Council meeting, a budget for $200 was approved to purchase recycling bins for one wing of the residence hall for next fall so that a recycling program can be implemented.

According to the council, a similar plan has been attempted, however, the materials in the bins were never recycled. They claim this time will be different.

They have the program set up to guarantee that the items will be recycled.

One wing in Douglas is going to be the test-run for this program. If successful, the program will spring up in all the dormitories.

Considering that the largest amount of trash that students accumulate is in their homes, or residence hall, it’s a nice option to be able to recycle right there.

The only problem now is whether students will take advantage of this option.

Will Johnson, junior marketing major and Douglas CA, thinks that the movement needs to be a campus-wide initiative, not just a student one.

“Because it’s so small, I don’t believe that the committee will be able to collect enough information to take to the upper management of NIU to make this a campus-wide initiative and make them believe that recycling is worth it,” Johnson said.

Even though it has failed in the past, this is a positive move toward making the campus a greener, more earth-friendly place.

Evidence of a ‘greener’ campus has been popping up throughout the school year.

The dining halls switched the cups to the ‘ecotainer’ cups, which are made completely of renewable resources. They also offer mugs that students can refill to cut down on the amount of paper products disposed.

Going green is the new fad. Whether it’s a popular cause that will lose steam in a couple of months or people are finally showing an interest in the fact that our planet needs some care, NIU has jumped on the bandwagon. This recycling program is just another way for the campus to say “helping the planet is not only cool, it’s the right thing to do.”

Johnson said because the college campus is made up of academics, students will learn to respect the planet even if it has started out as a fad.

“I think students will try to become stewards of the earth, not just users of the earth,” he said. “Hopefully students can stick with it and understand the need for recycling.”

This may be a small step for the residence halls, but students are taking action by attempting this project. Though small, it is a step in the right direction.

Students share differing opinions on whether the program will actually catch on and make a difference.

Todd Hasenstein, sophomore chemistry major and CA in Douglas Hall, says he is afraid that people won’t use the recycling bins, no matter how convenient.

“People here do not recycle. We have some bins in our lounge, and no one uses [them]. And when they try to use it, they always use the wrong one,” Hasenstein said.

Ben Coates, sophomore computer science major, thinks Douglas is as good a place as any to start.

“It’s a solid idea. I think it will catch on, probably slowly at first,” Coates said. Although he lives in Stevenson, Coates hopes that it will spread to the other halls.

It’s time to take the environment into our own hands.

The campus and hall council have allowed us many opportunities to better the planet, so why not take it? There is only so much that those in charge can do; it is ultimately up to those of us who make up the population of this campus.

Recycling, while cool, is a cause and a noble one at that. It needs attention and effort put into it if it is ever going to make a difference.

The planet shows respect for us and gives everyone so much. Let’s give a little back.

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