By Jeannette Cruz
GCU News Bureau
Using a "Think Green. Bleed Purple." slogan, students at Grand Canyon University are going green to promote and increase recycling on campus.
The Associated Students of GCU are hosting the University’s first-ever Green Week Reduce Reuse Recycle campaign beginning Monday.
ASGCU President Slate Herman said the University already recycles, but students want to take it a step further by raising awareness and providing students with recycling bins to keep in their dorm rooms.
ASGCU has partnered with campus facilities and development and Keep Phoenix Beautiful to provide 250 students with free recycling bins. Additionally, students can visit several display tables throughout the week filled with educational material, seminars and interactive games.
They also will have an opportunity to be part of a social media contest for a chance to win an "ultimate recycling kit," said Herman.
Currently, there are recycling bins throughout campus. However, the goal of the campaign is to educate students on how to properly recycle and where to specifically recycle on campus, said Alysha Clark, ASGCU chief of staff.
“Recycling is really undervalued, and sometimes we forget that it’s a great way to use God's resources at his fullest,” said Clark.
On average, GCU recycles approximately 66 tons a week, according to data collected by Waste Management. Students want to increase the amount of recyclables to at least 70 tons.
“I think a lot of students recycle when they walk by a recycling, but I don’t think there are very many students who separate recyclables in their rooms,” Herman said. “Recycling is one of those difficult topics to get others excited about because at the end of the day you’re sorting trash. However, when you look at the benefits that come from recycling and the benefit to the environment, it becomes more important.”
Green Week activities include:
Monday, Oct. 31 – Recycling Education, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, Union Promenade
Tuesday, Nov. 1 – Recycling Education Tabling, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prescott Promenade
Wednesday, Nov. 2 – Recycling Education Tabling, 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 3 – Recycling 101: Recycling Boot Camp, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Howerton Lecture Hall
Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or [email protected].
