Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

    You’re killing the planet!

    recycling

    It is blue, has a box-like shape, a hole at the top and a picture of a circle with arrows revolving around it. It sometimes appears neglected and overlooked, though it is most always nearby. It tends to be both helpful yet burdening.

    What is this one might ask? A recycling bin; aka the preferred destination of all of our water bottles, paper, cans, etc.

    Though our campus is well-stocked with recycling bins, are students really using them? Or does the campus’ attempt at going green need improvement?

    Searchsahomes.net explains how people can go green: “remember the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle!” The website lists recycling last on the list because they say the most important step to go green is to reduce your consumption.

    “Buy less, and you’ll have less to recycle,” says searchsahomes.net.

    “I reuse and recycle my water bottles, but I tend to throw my water bottles in the trash on accident just because I’m so used to throwing away ‘trash,'” undeclared freshman Presley Brack said.

    Reusing water bottles or buying a cheap canteen is a cost-effective way to go green. Not only will you save money with time, but you’ll also be contributing to the green efforts.

    Freshman undeclared major Julia Hudson has a different idea about how recycling should be encouraged.

    “There should be recycling bins in all the dorms and a recycling pickup person,” Hudson said.

    This would definitely motivate students to recycle, though it is a high maintenance and therefore unlikely request. Recycling was not as ‘popular’ 10 years ago as it is today.

    Some students do not recycle because of the extra effort they have to make in order to do it. But maybe students needed to have been conditioned to recycle at a younger age?

    Freshman communication major Mary Beth Newton has a history of recycling.

    “I was raised to recycle,” Newton said. “I was born recycling This is because my parents had me grow up recycling [everything that was recyclable].”

    Newton went as far as to say she would feel awkward if she didn’t recycle.

    “I have my designated recycling bin in my house and then my regular trash can,” Newton said.

    English writing program professor Samuel Robertson explained that “back in the olden days we didn’t recycle.”

    When he was growing up some people did recycle, just considerably fewer people compared to today. Though he now recycles, Robertson shared his earlier practices.

    “I’d drive down the road and throw a Coke can outside,” Robertson said. “What I thought I was doing is providing a job for someone to clean it up. I was entitled and arrogant.”