I am writing to correct several inaccuracies in a piece written about the campus recycling program titled, “Students’ recycling on campus not to blame” from the March 22 issue of the Daily Forty-Niner.
Unfortunately, the author fails to distinguish between the efforts of the ASI-run recycling center and those of Facilities Management, two very distinct entities. Facilities Management is responsible for the majority of recycling and waste diversion efforts on campus, however, the pyramid-style recycling bins for can and bottle recycling that are refered to in her piece are, and always have been, the responsibility of Associated Students Inc. ASI recycling center staff empty these containers, sort through the contents and the revenues from the cans and bottles are kept by the center.
While I share the frustration that these recycling bins are not serviced enough, it is not accurate that “… these cans are never empt[ied] …” The containers are indeed emptied, just not frequently enough.
The author also makes reference to a phone number on the CSULB recycling Web site to call for pickup when recycling bins become full, which she feels is not a realistic expectation for students to do. The Web site she refers to is actually the ASI-run recycling center site, not the CSULB recycling Web site.
I do appreciate her commitment to conservation and would be happy to meet with her to discuss campus recycling issues.
– Jon Root, Integrated Waste Management & Moving Services manager from Facilities Management
