For a ‘ g r e e n e r ’ L a i e During a survey taken on July 19 during new student orientation, less than 50 percent of BYU-Hawaii students interviewed expressed an interest in recycling. Rachel Baird, a junior in Social Work from Folsom, Calif., said, “I forget sometimes. There are times when I want to recycle or look around for a place, but I just can’t seem to find it.” Olivia Cheung, an undeclared sophomore from San Francisco, Calif., said, “I think it’s way important to recycle. People seem to always complain about the factories polluting the air [by] manufacturing products, but I feel like if we were dedicated to recycling, it would be better. I don’t really know exactly where to recycle here either. I wish the information was a little bit more mainstream.” Hawaii is one of the few states that has government cooperation in paying money for recyclable goods. In 2006, the population of Hawaii was approximately 1.2 million, and more than 60 % of the population resides on Oahu. Recycling, which saves more than one million tons of waste from landfills annually, plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of waste in the islands of Hawaii. BYU-Hawaii plays an active role in recycling waste. BYUH recycles paper, all plastic and glass bottles, and ink cartridges. Food Services donates excess grease and fat to Hawaii Reserves Inc., who converts the grease into biodiesel fuel. A portion of that biodiesel fuel is given back to BYU–Hawaii and students from the biochemistry department make soap with it. Food Services grows some of their own herbs and vegetables. Spencer Tan, head chef of Food Services breeds worms for vermicomposting, where the worms convert compost into healthy, nutritious soil. BYUH is reducing food waste by going trayless in the cafeteria, and minimizing usage of Styrofoam. If you have ever asked where the BYUH recycling stations are, there are 15 on campus. The locations are listed and a map provided on: http://services.byuh.edu/recycling/facility
Food Services is expanding its garden outside of the Club Dining Facilities. Photo by James Choi
The effectiveness of our recycling program depends on the collaborated effort of everyone. To learn how to get involved, please visit: http://services.byuh.edu/recycling/home/BYUH_Recycles -J AME S CHOI
july 21, 2011
9