The average American uses 156 plastic bottles each year. Earthday.org. JMU is 20,070 undergraduate students When 31% of students living on campus — This amounts to 970,585 Watt bottles used annually by students on campus. Areas such as the Festival Conference and Student Center and Carrier Library have trash cans, but currently there are no standards for trash cans in student dormitories.
As a large university, JMU has a moral responsibility to provide recycling opportunities for students living in dormitories. This is especially true as students who live on campus are usually freshmen. They don’t have cars and can’t take recyclables elsewhere, so they are often forced to throw away recyclables.
Many universities are starting to advertise their greener efforts.some like University of Vermont When George Washington University We have made strong efforts to ban the use of plastic bottles on campus.
The University of Vermont’s ban on water bottles failed and had “unintended consequences.” According to NPRAs a result, more bottled water is being shipped to campuses, increasing student consumption of unhealthy beverages such as sodas and other sugary drinks.
As a campus, there is no need to ban plastic bottles. Instead, students should have more opportunities to recycle in their dorms and anywhere they sell plastic bottles.
The University sells plastic bottles at several locations on campus including, but not limited to, vending machines, festivals and Market 64. Plastic recycling bins should be placed wherever plastic is sold. JMU has made efforts to encourage the use of metal water bottles to promote sustainability, but has not completely phased out plastic bottles.
A major problem for JMU with regard to recycling is the lack of consistency among student residences.
One of JMU’s most popular freshman housing areas, The Village does not have a recycling area.
There are trash bins for students to throw away their rubbish, but no recycling bins for recyclable items like paper, plastic, and glass.
For dormitories with recycling, students should discuss these recycling opportunities at the floor meeting.
“Even though it’s a dormitory. [Wayland Hall] We have a trash can, but most people don’t use it because they don’t know it’s there,” said new student Amanda Xu.
JMU provides housing for students and sells plastic bottles on campus, so it is responsible for providing recycling. Recycling should be a greater priority for all student residences and consistent across campuses.
Ava Menoni is a freshman majoring in media arts and design. Please contact Ava at menoniap@dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials about JMU and the Harrisonburg community, follow the Opinion Desk @Breeze_Opinion on Instagram and Twitter.
