KINGSVILLE (May 21, 2010) –Set against the backdrop of beautiful South Texas landscape—flanked by Baffin Bay, brush country and a plethora of flora and fauna—Texas A&M University-Kingsville is poised to do its part to protect the world around it. In an effort to promote environmental conservation, the university is taking steps to institute a new campus-wide recycling program that could decrease the amount of trash produced on campus by nearly 30 percent.
“This university is well-positioned to develop green initiatives,” said Texas A&M-Kingsville President Steven Tallant. “Our student body cares deeply about the environment. Being situated in South Texas and with the agricultural and environmental engineering programs we have at A&M-Kingsville, I do believe this is a campus that will embrace the idea of being green.”
The university plans to take the first step toward becoming a greener campus this summer, with the hiring of a sustainability and recycling program coordinator to oversee the university’s recycling efforts this fall. The new program will build on A&M-Kingsville’s existing recycling program, better organizing its efforts and the efforts of at least seven student organizations that are independently sponsoring their own recycling projects.
A committee of faculty, staff and students would then consider how best to implement a campus-wide recycling program. The committee would also discuss the possibility of instituting a “green fee” students would pay to help fund the effort.
There is broad support for a comprehensive recycling program. Javelina Students for Sustainability (JSS)—a student organization aimed at promoting responsible environmental policies and practices on campus—sponsored a petition drive requesting a recycling program and collected signatures from nearly a quarter of students. In addition, the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate and Staff Council all overwhelmingly supported resolutions sponsored by JSS calling for a recycling program.
Students from the JSS spent several weekends going through bins of university waste in an attempt to collect data in support of expanding the university’s recycling program. The student study determined that nearly 30 percent of the waste currently produced on campus could be recycled. An additional 20 percent can be used for composting efforts.
“Recycling is one way for students, staff and faculty to get involved in helping the environment,” said Sandford Jaques, JSS staff adviser, who called recycling a first step toward a more environmentally conscious society. “It asks people to think about what they use and consider the three R’s—reduce, reuse and recycle.”
To further A&M-Kingsville’s green initiatives, the JSS is also working toward establishing a community garden, composting program and biodiesel program.
