Story and photo by Mel Roberts

The University of Saint Mary announced the launch of a new recycling program on Monday, February 17th, across the Leavenworth campus for students, faculty, and staff to start discarding their waste in recycling bins to help protect the environment.

The support to protect the environment is not the first time Saint Mary has created a recycling program implemented on campus.

“This is a beta test to see the results of items being recycled and participation amongst the campus as we have had past recycling programs. Further implications will be coming as bins will be distributed into the dorms and sports facilities,” said Dr. Karenbeth Zarcharias. Liberal Arts and Humanities Division Chair and Center for Peace and Justice Director.

The recycling program is the first phase of this university-wide commitment to go green. Dr. Zarcharias sent out a campus-wide email to announce the new program and the location of the bins. Recycling bins can be found in the KLC, Meige, Saint Mary, Mead, and Xavier. The recycling bins accept:

  • Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
  • Paper materials, including magazine, newspaper, and mail
  • Aluminum cans
  • Cardboard
  • Glass
  • Plastic bags

“Finding the appropriate solutions to complex situations can seem insurmountable, so it feels great when the Saint Mary community has come together to once again prioritize recycling as a campus initiative,” said Associate Professor in Art Susan Nelson who has taught at Saint Mary for 27 years.

The university is pursuing its value of community, and the recycling program incorporates all members of the community to accept their responsibility for making our global society more successful and sustainable.

The President of SGA, Sayra Serrano shares the importance of this program, “Our earth is not doing well, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect it. The university was completely on board but had to figure out the logistics of a campus-wide movement. Student Government was able to provide the student perspective for the recycling committee, and for that, I am very thankful.”

The Saint Mary community is aware and concerned about global issues and continues to find appropriate solutions. Saint Mary takes the first steps to make the blue and gold campus go green.

Mel Roberts is a senior studying Digital Communications at the University of Saint Mary.