The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

New bins promote recycling as Northeastern boosts sustainability

By Melanie Dostis, News Correspondent

Going green just got easier for students.

The Student Government Association (SGA), along with Northeastern University’s administration, distributed thousands of recycling bins last month to residence halls.

“It is great that we are able to work with the administration to make it easier for students to recycle,” SGA Vice President for Student Services Timothy LePage, said.

Previously, SGA and administrators distributed recycling bins to upperclassmen buildings only.

“Many students expressed an interest in having them in the other buildings as well because of the convenience,” LePage said. “They really liked having these because they felt it made it easier to recycle.”

The Resident Student Association (RSA) voiced support for the change.

“[It] is a very positive change,” RSA Vice President for Housing Services Crissy Gaffney said. “Students are definitely more likely to recycle if it is made convenient for them.”

Husky Environmental Action Team (HEAT) Treasurer Ray Adler agreed, saying it is a “great step” for the school.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen a lot of improvements,” freshman Julia Volchok, who lives in Stetson East, said. “I think Northeastern is doing a great job.”

Adler said the implementation of the recycling bins could have been accomplished “more smoothly.”

While resident assistants (RAs) were given proper instruction on the recycling bins, Adler believes extending the number of bins in the middle of the semester was “not perfect timing” and caused initial confusion.

Others said Northeastern could do more to go green and meet the needs of their active student body.

“There is always room for improvement,” said Gaffney, who is looking to evaluate additional ways to go green with RSA.

Adler said signage and location of outdoor recycling bins are some of the main issues.

“They are not very accessible and they are not labeled properly,” he said. “A lot of blue bins say ‘recycling’ but then you don’t know if they’re for paper, cardboard, or bottles.”

LePage said SGA’s focus on becoming more green will not end here.

“SGA and administrators are always taking sustainability into consideration and looking for new ways to implement it. We do so whenever feasible,” LePage said.

Gaffney said Northeastern’s sustainability initiatives are “definitely headed in the right direction.”

HEAT has worked with the administration for years to improve recycling on campus.

While Adler is unsure as to what future changes in terms of sustainability are to come, he is sure they will involve a lot of work.

“It’s not going to happen without a fight,” he said. “The student body is very active, but I think we’re all so freaking busy that it’s hard to sit down and fight for something as hard as you need in order to get change.”

In an effort to go boost sustainability efforts, LePage did reveal that SGA will start a Green Office Certification program in the next few weeks. Offices will receive a decal to display if they meet the standards developed by SGA members to be considered Green Office Certified.

“We have already heard from several offices that are interested in participating,” Le Page said.

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