While we acknowledge recycling as the immediate goal, the ultimate objective is to apply the 3 R's to the Rollins community: reduction, reuse, and recycling. These principles are listed in order of importance, with recycling being the last resort, but the first step to instituting future policies of reuse and reduction. Ultimately, we will strive to achieve the fulfillment of the 3 R's.

Background:

A group of students, faculty, and staff have met weekly during the months of March and April to pinpoint reasons for the failure of the existing recycling program and to develop suggestions for implementation of a more consistent and effective system. From these meetings, the unofficial Recycling Task Force has emerged. What this Task Force has determined is that an effective recycling program is well within reach of the college at relatively small expense, both in human and financial resources. A program already exists with the potential to be extremely successful. However, consistent and continual education is a necessary supplement to the existing system. Without this reinforcement, any opportunity for an effective recycling program is disabled. Before suggestions for renovation of the recycling program can be discussed, however, it is necessary to outline the existing recycling program and examine the reasons for its breakdown.

Currently, blue recycle bins are stationed at various locations across campus. These bins contain white bags in which community members can throw away any recyclable material. When Facilities Management collects the bins, they check the contents for contamination. (Contamination includes any un-recyclable or organic material, such as food and drink.) If the bin is contaminated, the white bag is placed inside a black bag to be thrown out with the rest of the regular waste. If it is not contaminated, it remains in the white bag and is also placed with the rest of the garbage for pick-up. When the garbage is picked up, it is taken behind McKean Hall where there is a dumpster for regular trash (the black bags) and a green recycle bin 'in which the white bags are placed. Finally, once a week, Jennings Environmental Services, Inc. empties the bin and takes the contents to be recycled. This program is extremely convenient, since recyclable material does not have to be separated.

The current system has failed to be effective, however, for a number of reasons. First, and perhaps most importantly, there has been little effort made to educate the Rollins community as to which items can and cannot be placed in recycle bins. In a recent recycling survey administered to all students, faculty, and staff, many respondents questioned whether Rollins even has a recycling program, much less whether the program is effective or not. (see Addendum #4) This survey reveals the underlying confusion and lack of education about recycling.

Fines imposed by Jennings Environmental Services, Inc. present another problem. These fines, which can total as much as $600, are a result of contamination in the Jennings recycle bin. The potential for fines represents a significant barrier to the effectiveness of the current recycling program. It is expected that fines for contamination will be absorbed by the budget of Facilities Management, yet the current budget has little room for these potential penalties. The looming threat of fines hinders Facilities Management's ability to effectively implement the existing recycling program. It should be noted, however, that Rollins has yet to be fined by Jennings for contamination.

The final difficulty with the existing system is in Facilities Management's response to problems with bin contamination. While some of the recycle bins have been pulled from buildings altogether, many recycle bins now serve essentially as trash bins. White bags have been replaced with less expensive black bags, signifying that the contents of these bins are not being recycled. As a result, many students, faculty, and staff have lost faith in the current recycling program. Members of the community do not believe that the college is recycling, and in most cases, it is not. The misleading use of recycle bins due to repeated instances of contamination has caused a loss of credibility for the existing recycling program.

Proposed Solutions:

The persons submitting this proposal hold that contamination of campus recycle bins can be combated with a strong educational program that we are willing to design and implement. In order to undertake such a task, however, we request formal recognition of the Rollins College Recycling Task Force. This Task Force will create, implement, and develop the new recyc1ing program and policy over the summer of 1998. A fist of duties has been compiled that, upon completion, will prepare the program for its introduction to all students, faculty, and staff at the start of the '98 - '99 academic year. (see in Addendum # 1)
'Me primary responsibilities of the Task Force are to set the new recycling program on its feet and to monitor the program until an official entity is designated that will subsequently oversee the recycling policy on campus. The term "entity" is used intentionally to provide latitude for additional suggestions from college representatives, as well as to encompass a number of possibilities that have been considered. Several options for this entity are listed in Addendum #3.

Based on the needs of the existing community and the resources available at the present time, we feel that the following entity option is the most viable. Therefore, the recommended course of action by the individuals submitting this proposal is the creation of a formal college committee -the Rollins College Environmental Action Committee - that will oversee the recycling policy on campus. To assess and respond to a variety of campus needs, it is recommended that this committee consist of administration, faculty, staff, and students. After considerable research on this topic, it is suggested that the responsibilities of this committee resemble those of a similar committee instituted at the University of Virginia (see Addendum #5). Obviously, due to the size discrepancy between U.Va and Rollins, the recycling network created on this campus will be scaled down to meet the needs of the Rollins community. However, we believe that the UVA example provides a strong foundation for the Rollins College Environmental Action Committee.

Our recommendations for representatives on this committee are as follows:

1) A chairperson responsible for assembling, organizing, and chairing Rollins College Environmental Action Committee meetings.

2) An individual, who will serve as a liaison to Human Resources and will be responsible for obtaining a monthly list of new employees. (Note: perhaps the new Banner System will enhance this process.) This list will target new faculty and staff for collective education without having to subject departments to a redundant training process.

3) A Facilities Management liaison responsible for implementing and educating Facilities Management staff on changes in recycling policy. This liaison will also be responsible for monitoring training of new Facilities Management employees, particularly staff responsible for collection of recycling bins. It is suggested that a staff member from Facilities Management involved in the collection process be included, as well.

4) A liaison to Residential Life responsible for corresponding with resident assistants who will monitor the quality of the recycling program in the residence halls.

5) Two paid student assistants. The roles of student assistants are described below. These students must display commitment to promoting environmental wellbeing on campus.

6) One (unpaid) student representative, such as an SGA delegate, the president of Eco Rollins, or another designated student leader.

7) A representative from Marriott, Business Services, and/or the Cornell Campus Center and other departments as deemed necessary. Additional or alternate recommendations for seats on this committee are open for future discussion and determination.

As mentioned above, it is recommended that two students receive stipends for their work in the implementation and upkeep of the new recycling program. Unlike many other student commitments, such as student government or participation in a student organization, the responsibilities required of the Student Recycling Assistants are of a specific task nature.

Student Recycling Assistants Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Maintain recycling statistics. In order to monitor bin contamination, on a weekly basis students will collect bin contamination cards completed by Facilities Management staff. They will then compile statistics on bin contamination for presentation at Environmental Action Committee meetings, as well as make suggestions for necessary improvements and educational requirements. The Recycling Task Force will determine other methods for statistical collection during the summer of '98.

2) Maintain a recycling web page that will be created during the summer of '98. The web page will be a valuable resource for reaching students, faculty, and staff. Using electronic methods such as Fox-e and Fox Flash, the recycling program can be enhanced by providing an outlet for immediate dispersal of information to the campus.

3) Perform public relations responsibilities, such as submitting articles to the Sandspur, the Grapevine, and other campus publications that will reach members of the Rollins community.

4) Maintain campus communication. Respond to e-mails sent to a new e-mail address --recycie@rollins.edu -- and telephone calls made to a campus recycling hotline (pending approval of these means). (see Addendum #1)

5) Oversee the operations of a Campus Exchange. Through the Exchange, materials such as boxes and box stuffing can be stored and reused when requested by different departments. This will decrease the amount of material disposed of (by recycling or other means), as well as the cost of buying new materials for shipping or other purposes. (see Addendum #8)

6) Communicate with Jennings Environmental Services, Inc. on recycling program concerns. This includes preliminary trips to Jennings to become educated on the total recycling process.

7) Advise a student group (faculty and staff are welcome, too) in planning and implementing programs and education to supplement the responsibilities of the Environmental Action Committee.

It is the belief of the persons submitting this proposal that the paid stipend is necessary for consistent and effective implementation of this program. Currently, a dedicated group of students exists that is willing to take on these responsibilities. Ultimately, however, it is the college that should be responsible for the effectiveness of the recycling program. Dependence on student volunteers on a year-by-year basis is unreliable, especially considering the nature of the tasks required of such a position. By not providing remuneration for student participants, the college would be risking the long-term effectiveness of the recycling program, and any effort to institute a recycling policy would be in vain. With a stipend as compensation, students' efforts will be validated and the college's commitment to the recycling effort will be affirmed.

Additionally, part of the responsibility of the committee will be to determine the necessity of future student stipends for work on the Environmental Action Committee. After the first year, the work of the Student Recycling Assistants will be evaluated, and the committee will reserve the right to determine whether or not future stipends are warranted or the amount of these stipends should be adjusted.

This particular entity option - the Environmental Action Committee - is proposed as a compromise. The original intent of the Recycling Task Force was to suggest that a Recycling Coordinator be hired. Many institutions of higher education have a similar position designated within their organizational structure. However, results of the campus-wide survey revealed a strong contingency of faculty and staff in opposition to the creation of a new position due to current restructuring within the college. (see Addendum #4) While it is recognized that the current climate is not conducive to the creation of a new position, it is recommended that discussion of a new position be considered in the future by the Environmental Action Committee in conjunction with the administration of Rollins College.

Implementation:

To implement an effective recycling program, change must be instituted from the top down. Originally, the persons submitting this proposal were hesitant to request the institution of additional job responsibilities for faculty and staff, especially if those responsibilities would go uncompensated. While we do not want any faculty or staff member to be taxed unjustly by additional job requirements, we believe that, in many cases, additional responsibilities are necessary, just, and easily carried out. Obviously, the requirements of the majority of faculty and staff will be attendance at a departmental training session on recycling and integration of this training into daily operations. However, there are some positions on campus that warrant recycling as part of their job description. For example, attendance by a representative of Facilities Management on the Rollins College Environmental Action Committee should not be arbitrary, but rather a requirement under a specific position description.

In connection with the idea of top down reinforcement, the persons submitting this proposal request that the president of Rollins College formally proclaim support of the campus recycling effort to the members of the Rollins community. This formal recognition is essential to creating an ethic of recycling that will permeate all aspects of the Rollins community. It is believed that individuals in all segments of the community will be more responsive to the recycling program if formal administrative support is offered. A course of action that will publicly endorse this policy is the generation of a letter of support to be distributed to students, faculty, and staff at the college.

To maintain long-term consistency of the recycling program, all members of the Rollins community must be educated about the new recycling policy. The educational effort must meet the needs of an ever-changing student body, by incorporating the ethic of recycling into the existing college structure. Ken Posner, the Associate Dean and Director of Residential Life has agreed to incorporate recycling education into the Residential Life training process. At their first floor/hall meeting, resident assistants and house managers will explain the recycling policy to all residential students. They will then serve as contacts between on-campus students and the Environmental Action Committee. To ensure that off campus students receive information about the recycling program as well, recycling brochures will be distributed at registration. These brochures will outline the recycling policy and will be a reference for the community as a whole. In the future, a similar document will be included in the binder sent to new students prior to their arrival at the college. These provide an example of the extensive educational programs that will be instituted to reinforce the goals of the Environmental Action Committee.

Once the suggested program is actualized, improvements to this program will be made in support of the philosophy delineated by the 3 R's. Potential changes that incorporate the concept of reuse and reduction are the replacement of current white paper with recycled paper in campus departments and computer labs and the distribution and endorsement of double-sided, single spaced documents across campus. Current faculty members, such as Les Lloyd, the Vice President of Information Technology, have conveyed their support for such programs. It will be the responsibility of the committee to research and determine various changes to the recycling policy that fulfill the comprehensive nature of reuse, reduce, recycle.

Resource Requests:

The following is a list of requested resources that will supplement the institution of the proposed program. Many of these costs can be absorbed into existing departmental and organizational budgets. A goal of the program is to disperse the request for resources to various departments, thus promoting campus-wide responsibility for recycling.

1) Printing and material costs for the recycling policy brochure. The envisioned brochure is a single sheet of paper folded and printed on both sides. Printing can be done on campus, utilizing the campus publishing center. Enough copies need to be made for distribution to every member of the Rollins College community. Additional copies will be necessary for new staff and students upon their arrival at the college.
2)  As mentioned previously, stipends for two Student Recycling Representatives.
3) Buffer fund. The creation of a buffer fund from which fines for contamination can be absorbed is proposed to provide latitude in Facilities Management's budget. As previously mentioned, the college has not yet been fined for contamination. Although fines for contamination will occur very infrequently, it is important to budget for this possibility, especially at the start of this program.
4) Exchange storage space. Upon the creation of a Campus Exchange, storage space must be designated for materials collected. Use of campus transportation (such as a truck or golf cart) and gas fees incurred in conjunction with picking up and distributing materials for the Exchange present a potential cost.
5) Copying privileges. For distribution of information, a small amount of copying may be necessary in addition to the brochure printing cost. Copies could include publicity for campus programming, informational handouts, surveys, and other material as needed.
6) Signs to be placed above recycle bins. These signs will provide visual reinforcement of the education provided at the beginning of the year by delineating what can and can not be recycled. Lamination of signs to prevent against wear and damage is recommended.
7) Books and other resource materials to assist in the development of the recycling program.
8)  Phone and/or voice mail to be used as a recycling hotline.
9) Programming funds. In order to reinforce the recycling program with education, funds will be necessary for campus programming. Possible sources for these funds are the Residence Hall Association and various other student organizations.
10) Cost of new bins. Rich Seftner from Facilities Management has verbally agreed that the Facilities Management budget will accommodate the cost of new recycle bins. Some of this cost will be covered from the return of existing bins. The persons submitting this proposal have determined that the similarity in appearance of blue recycling bins and campus trash receptacles is detrimental to the existing program.
11) Budgetary margin for additional innovations and supplies to be determined over the surnmer of 1998.

In order to maintain the consistency of the recycling program, we believe that the above resource requests must be filled.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is important to fully understand the benefits of developing a more effective recycling policy and program on the Rollins College campus. With the institution of this proposal we can begin to maximize the human and economic resources already expended on the presently inefficient recycling program. The possibility exists that the diversion of recyclable material into campus recycling bins will ultimately reduce the amount of campus waste, and subsequently, the cost of garbage collection.

Another supporting factor is the existence of a campus climate favorable for recycling. As the recent survey suggests, members of the Rollins community support the institution of this program. At the present time, a motivated group of students, faculty, and staff exists that is willing to spend the time and effort required to implement a more effective program. If the recycling dilemina is not solved to the satisfaction of the Rollins community, the issue of recycling will continue to persist. Recycling is an inevitability that the college will have to face at some point in the near future, It makes sense to take advantage of the existing climate to solve this pressing problem while motivation from students, faculty, and staff is high.

Another positive outcome of adopting a recycling policy is the message conveyed to the surrounding community concerning Rollins' sense of environmental responsibility. As an educational institution, it is important that the college serve as a leader in the community.

Establishing consistency between the practice and the teachings of Rollins College will serve to foster a sense of community on campus. This year's course catalog proudly displays the slogan, "Educating students for active citizenship in a global society." Participation in recycling is now a necessary foundation for responsible citizenship almost anywhere in the world. Therefore, recycling provides the basic opportunity to actively participate in environmental action shared on a global level.

This document reflects the genuine desire of the persons submitting this proposal to contribute to the betterment of the campus where they live, learn, and work. We submit this with the belief that Rollins College is a responsible institution that will seriously consider the needs and wants of its community. We thank you for taking the time to review this proposal and hope that Rollins College wholeheartedly embraces the reality of an effective recycling program.
 

ADDENDUM #1   RECYCLING TASK FORCE AGENDA

Items to be Completed During the Summer of '98:

Pull signs off bins in the Student Center to signify to students, faculty, and staff that change is in progress; work with Facilities Management to find a temporary happy medium for existing recycling bins. Work with the administration to setup summer goals, authority, and responsibility of the task force over the summer.

Official Institution Of Recycling Task Force

•  Secure listing in the phone directory and R-Times.
• Work with IT to obtain an email address: recycle@rolllins.edu.
• Work with administration to obtain a phone extension by which we could receive questions concerning the recycling program and/or reports of violations of recycling policy.
• Work with administration to obtain an office on campus out of which the recycling Task Force/entity can be based and that can act as a headquarters for the Task Force/entity.
• Obtain supplies and resources as needed, including a copy code.
• Ensure the allocation of a buffer ftmd for recycling fines; this will alleviate the burden on Facilities Management's budget.

• Intensively research the recycling programs and policies of other schools, communities, and institutions.

•  Organize a trip for the Task Force, with a representative from Facilities Management, to Jennings Environmental in order to become educated on the total recycling process.

   -Determine exactly what can and cannot be recycled.
   -Determine the availability of statistics.
 
• Participate with Facilities Management workers in the collection and contamination identification process; this will give us further hands-on experience and knowledge of the campus recycling process.
• Assess training needs of Facilities Management workers with Rich Seffier.
• Create a map of all current campus recycling bins.
• Determine where additional recycling bins should be stationed on campus.
• Determine logistics of future recycling in new campus building spaces.

• Clearly identify the Rollins College recycling policy.
• Create a web site that students, faculty, and staff can easily access for more information about recycling.
• Design and print a brochure to be administered to students at fall registration and faculty and staff via departmental drop off or mail system.
• Work with SGA to secure policy in the R-times.
• Include a recycling policy and program factsheet in the initial binder distributed to potential Rollins College students.

• Pull the existing bins from campus and replace with new, smaller bins that do not resemble/cannot be confused with garbage cans; add bins in previously determined recycling areas.
• Set up facilities management staff training program and schedule; oversee this process.
• Train remaining staff and faculty.
• Design, print, laminate, and post informational signs to be placed above recycle bins delineating the fact that this bin is designated for recycling and what material that can be placed in the bin.
• Create and post educational posters and signs announcing and explaining the new policies and procedures of the Rollins College Recycling Program.

• Plan and prepare for student and faculty education during the '98-'99 academic year.
• Secure recycling programs (training and activities) on the calendar of events for next year.
• Inquire into availability of a table at fall registration where brochures/information can be distributed.
• Inquire into inclusion of environmental seminar into RCC programming.
• Inquire into program session for freshman orientation. Institute Residence Hall Education.

• Institute staff training:

• Work with the Human Resources Department to setup new staff/faculty training programs.

• Work with Purchasing, Facilities Management, and the Post Office in the institution of The Exchange Program
• Create a recycling statistics program, with possible contamination cards to effectively monitor and assess this problem.
• Design a logo for the recycling program to be used on web site, bins, brochure, and recycling publications.
• Plan a campus-wide program for the first or second week of the '98-'99 academic year to supplement the program's introduction.
• Work with Information Technology to institute recycled paper and reduced paper waste across campus; this includes further institution and implementation of electronic communication.
• Institute other activities and policies as per the research outlined above, as approved by the administration.
• Establish the specific representation/make-up of the entity.
• Setup the month-by-month agenda for the entity, in conjunction with administration.

• Institute student training:

-  Train residential life employees.
-  Participate in initial residence hall floor meetings.
-  Implement positive student competitions, games, and participation during the first month of school (example: "Recycling Police" program in which students carry water-guns and have permission to shoot anyone who they observe either throwing away recyclable material or contaminating the recycling bin).
• Continue the inter-institutional communication, development, education, programming, policy dissemination, and actions instituted over the summer.

• Distribute formal letter from the administration/president to community in support of recycling efforts on campus.
• Contact local media, such as the Orlando Sentinel, Channel 2, etc. to generate positive publicity for Rollins to compensate, justify, and celebrate to renewed recycling efforts.
• Create and maintain a consistent recycling/environmental update column in the Sandspur and the Grapevine.
• Distribute informational mailings throughout the year.
• Utilize the fox flash bulletin and fox-e e-mails.

• Work with administration to form and mobilize entity.

• Foster an ethic of recycling and environmental action to exist on campus.
• Reduce consumption on campus and increase environmental selectivity of products that are purchased.
• Monitor and audit the environmental soundness of current and future purchasing.
• Maintain and/or develop the Exchange Program (departments or individuals can reuse products, such as cardboard boxes, box stuffing, packing material, etc.)
• Maintain recycling statistics to determine the most effective educational measures to introduce, reasons/need for renewed training, and trends depending on the time of the year.
• Publish and update recycling statistics on the web page.
• Holiday drop-offs and programming for creative gifts and recycling holiday excess.
• Coffee cup program - discount/flat rate by Marriott if you bring in your own coffee mug.
• Calendar drive during December (or beginning of January) where you can return your calendar and donate it to Eco-Store or learn how to make envelopes, boxes, and artwork out of old calendars.
• Art contests for best artwork made from recycled material.
• Set up in front of the Student Center periodically with different program information or surveys.
• Use of recycled paper in the computer labs (see Les Lloyd).
• Institute campus policy for faculty, students, to be able to submit double-sided sheets as homework, syllabi, etc. Only special circumstances will allow for exemption from this policy, such as formal letters to other entities.
• Creating a mission statement for the entity.
• Set up a network of committees to tackle specific tasks
• Periodic inventories and checks of the recycle bin to enforce and oversee the recycling policy, as well as to determine the need for increasing/decreasing the number of bins in a given region of campus.
• Update and maintain the web page.
• Continual education and programming for campus.
• Yearly survey to assess the changing attitudes about and the satisfaction with the Rollins College recycling program. Update the actual recycling policy based on assessments, surveys, and inventories.
• Maintain yearly printing and distribution of brochures.
• Collect, maintain, and evaluate statistics on recycled material.

• An Environmental Action Committee consisting of students, faculty, and staff
• Recycling Coordinator to oversee recycling policy on campus.
• A student organization with a faculty and/or staff advisory committee.
• Work-study positions created out of a designated office with an advisory committee.
• Two student coordinators to lead the group.
• A truck to transport recycled goods. (in the case of student pick-up)

Question 1
Do you believe that Rollins'
current recycling program is effective?                 YES         NO         UNDECIDED

Faculty/Staff                                                             16           175         11
Students                                                                   3             220         7
Total                                                                        19           395         18
Total %                                                                     4%         91%      4%

Question 2
Would you support the designation  of a
new campus position-Recycling Coordinator-
to oversee recycling policy on campus?                    YES        NO         UNDECIDED

Faculty/Staff                                                             104         80            18
Students                                                                   188         31            11
Total                                                                         292       111            29
Total % 68% 26% 7%

Question 3
If recycling facilities were accessible to
you on campus, would you recycle?                    YES         NO         UNDECIDED

Faculty/Staff                                                           192             3             7
Students                                                                  224            2             4
Total                                                                       416            5             11
Total %                                                                   96%         1%            3%

Surveys Administered:
Faculty/Staff                 541
Students                     1450
Total                          1991

Surveys returned:
Faculty/Staff                 202         37%
Students                       230         16%
Total                            432         22%
 

ADDENDUM #5 SENATE RESOLUTION