by Deborah Harvey
Daily Lobo
Between March and August, UNM recycled 320 tons of materials.
"Most departments are doing a substantial job in complying with the recycling program that is set up at UNM," said Linda McCormick, resource conservation manager.
Recycle bins are located throughout campus for newspaper, aluminum, cardboard and white and colored paper.
New Mexico has a largely rural population, which makes recycling difficult. Because the state has no recycling plants, all recyclable material has to be sent out of state.
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That's why plastic isn't recycled in New Mexico, McCormick said.
She said it costs 4 cents a ton to be processed.
The physical plant department has no control over what goes into the dumpsters, McCormick said. She said departments should throw away less cardboard and be able to recycle plastic and glass.
"It's a better way of disposing garbage as opposed to throwing it in the landfill or burning it," sophomore Harriet Jones said. "It's used for something good."
Computer and Information Resources and Technology has five computer pods and nine computer-equipped classrooms throughout campus. The pods generate about 200 pounds of white paper weekly that is shredded and recycled.
Robert Sebesta, supervisor of the Lobo Lab in the SUB, said recycling barrels sit right next to the printers.
"The paper goes from the printer to the barrel," Sebesta said.
CIRT also recycles toner.
Old refrigerators, broken furniture, newspapers, Styrofoam and grass clippings are other recyclable items.
Gary Smith, assistant director of environmental services for the physical plant department, said mowers were converted to turf mowing a few years ago.
"This leaves the clippings in place, saving 20 to 30 cubic yards of clippings that don't have to go to the landfill," he said. "We do everything we can to recycle green waste."
David Trujillo, supervisor for grounds and landscaping, said trash on campus is sifted through daily and either saved for compost or recycled.
