Recycling in the Dorms (CSULA)
The Problem:
With the amount of trash we produce, recycling should be second nature to most people. Humans generate over "8.3 billion metric tons [of plastic] — most of it in disposable products that end up as trash" (Parker). This is a lot of waste that is transferred into landfills and even the ocean, and it is disastrous for our environment - especially since 91% of the plastic made is not recycled (Parker).
There are three different end results of plastic production; thermal destruction, landfills, and recycling (Dengler). Only one of those options has a more desirable outcome. That option is, without a doubt, recycling. It's not hard to recycle, but many places do not implement this solution to plastic waste, in their practices. Case in point, the dorms at California State University, Los Angeles.
College students go through so much trash, so dorms are a great place to instill the habit of recycling in a controlled environment. However, the student housing at CSULA does not even provide recycling bins for their residents. This is a quick and easy fix that will ultimately improve Earth's health. It all starts with a couple of green bins.
Citations:
My Reason for Choosing this Topic: My mom instilled in me, from a young age, a drive clean up after myself. I could never get by a single day without cleaning my room, making my bed, and let's not forget about washing the dishes. The thing is, cleanliness should expand outside of our house lives because ultimately, the earth is our true home. If this is the case, then cleanliness should also apply to our oceans, air, forests, and everything else that creates the environments of our world. Unfortunately, many people don't understand this. They will through away non-degradable materials and those will end up in the oceans. Fish and other living creatures will get caught in the nets of a plastic Gatorade case. They will develop deformities from growing around this trash - or worse, they may suffocate to death. There is a simple solution to prevent this problem; recycling. So, when I see people or places that don't take advantage of the opportunity to clean their environment, it gets on my nerves. I have been experiencing this problem in the CSULA dorm community, and that is why I chose this topic. Student References:
Mariah Moreno:
"Recycling is important because our ocean and environment is being greatly affected by our mistakes."
Jocelyn Arteaga:
"There should be a recycling program [in the dorms] in order to help the community and environment for future generations. And in order to become self-aware about how we use our resources."
Anhsa Le:
"Recycling is very good for the planet as it reuses plastic and cardboard for different purposes. I think recycling needs to be implemented in the dorms which can help influence others to do recycling back home."
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