A Student's Perspective

Yesterday, I interviewed my friend Shannon about her views on the availability of recycling here at Western Michigan University. "Could be better," was her response. In February, Hoekje hall offered to pick up people's recycling if they put it outside of their door. Unfortunately, this offer was only temporary.  I have also noticed the lack of advertisement for recycling around campus(at least from what I can see).

In no way am I accusing Western of being lazy. There are recycling containers outside of every dorm for many different types of waste such as paper, plastic and cardboard. Unfortunately, students here at Western are very distracted with school and activities and don't really pay attention to the details of dumpsters. Advertisement is something that could really grab the attention of students. Sidewalk chalk, posters and even announcements on Western's website could help make students more aware that they have more than just one option when it comes to disposing of waste. And, offering to pick up people's recycling at their doors is a great motivator for us college students who like convenience whenever possible.  I am also guilty of not separating my garbage due to being busy. I would also like to hear the opinions of other students who have lived or are living on campus. So, please...don't feel shy to comment on this post. :)

First Reflections of Eaarth

The first two chapters of Eaarth by Bill McKibben captured my attention in a very different way. He starts off by stating boldly that we no longer live on the planet Earth. The climate change that our planet is going through right now could potentially place us in a much more hostile environment. He uses quotes from Thomas Friedman's book Hot, Flat and Crowded to give the reader a better perspective on the not so far away future that is Eaarth. McKibben states that the biggest bad habit we need to leave behind is the old mentality that growth makes everything better and to adopt a new respect for the planet we live on by changing with the planet instead of trying to change the planet itself into our own temporary paradise.

The truth hurts, but it helps us grow. Let us take these first steps together, so that we can create a better tomorrow for the human race.

Students for a Greener Tomorrow

I have lived in the dorms the past 2 years now at Western Michigan University and have observed the way my generation goes about disposing of waste. As much as we would like to believe that we are more aware than our predecessors, I would have to disagree. Here in the dorms, distraction is at an all time high and can sometimes blind people to something as simple as recycling a pop can instead of just throwing it away. In this blog I intend to make not only the students who go to WMU more aware of recycling options around campus, but also go as far as raising awareness around Kalamazoo.