MCC recycle program to take part in homecoming festivities
Iliana Deanda
MCC’s recycling program started years ago with the goal to be organized.”(The recycling program) started a few years ago with a grant to obtain some recycling bins and a temporary job position to get things organized and set up,” said MCC Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Suzi Dodt. “Now it has grown and we recycle much more than the original usual recyclables. We now have the ability to recycle all of the following: paper, cardboard, books, metal, plastic wraps, e-waste, batteries, pens and markers, bulbs, ink and toner cartridges and green waste.”
Dodt stated that most plastic containers numbered one through seven, which are usually stamped on the bottom of the containers, are commonly put in recycle bins.
“Everything else is separately collected for various recycling companies in town. We make money on the paper, cardboard, metal and toner cartridges. Money goes to charity for the pens/markers,” Dodt said.
On campus, the Environmental Action Club is partaking in the recycling program, in hopes to get students involved on a daily basis.
“We are making recycling more available throughout campus. The Environmental Action Club will be taking on a project to help turn about half of our ugly metal trash cans into recycling bins, so that we can pair them up throughout campus,” Dodt said.
During the homecoming event, MCC will be taking part in the Environmental Protection Agency game day recycling challenge.
“We are setting up some recycling at the stadium for the first time,” Dodt said. “We’ll have manned stations throughout the stadium encouraging people to recycle everything we can. We will also have some games and activities based on a recycling theme.”
Dodt commented that out of 88 colleges that signed up, MCC is the only community college in Ariz. that will be participating.
“So far, EPA has said that they will recognize winners in September and that they will present awards in five categories after we submit all of our measurements,” Dodt said.
Dodt hopes that this event will encourage and educate students to recycle properly.
“I think a lot of people don’t think about things they throw away, (or) where is away? Aren’t you aware that it doesn’t disappear? Most things people throw away are things that could be diverted to recycling or reused instead, but they don’t get to see that until they participate in a waste audit,” Dodt said. “Only then do they understand the massive amount of needles waste they generate and the sheer magnitude of it all.”
MCC’s recycling program will host its annual Dumpster Dive on Friday Nov. 19. If students are interested in volunteering, email recycle@mcmail.maricopa.edu.
