15
Green Waste Bins BY EMEKA IKECHUKWU
If you have taken a walk around campus recently, you may have noticed that there are new green bins. These cans were implemented to contain food waste from leftover meals that are eaten on campus. The bins are made to help organize our waste so that items that are not biodegradable end up being recycled instead of being tossed into the landfill. These new bins are required by California law to be placed in any “businesses that generates four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week,� according to calrecycle. ca.gov. The bins are sometimes difficult to find around campus because of the limited amount of cans. The amount of cans that can be placed around the school is mainly limited by the cost. According to Mark Brettnacher, head of maintenance, the program is estimated to end up costing approximately $4000 campus wide. Every so often, a compliance officer from the local city board may come to evaluate our school on the progress of installing these bins, and the school also has to pay for someone to come and pick up the bins, additional
costs according to Brettnacher. The waste is taken to a facility where it is made into a type of fertilizer, which the company then sells to local stores such as Home Depot. The waste can also be used to create gas for the companies trucks. The school plans to focus on installing the bins in the elementary, so that using the bins will become a habit for the younger kids. Nonetheless, it is important to increase the use of the food waste bins around campus because it is required by state law and helps keep our community clean.
Photo Credits: Alyka Mendoza
