Tuscaloosa recycles...but not enough.

The University of Alabama has a seemingly rudimentary system of recycling. The three-bin system is evident around campus, but only to some degree as there are merely a handful of these receptacles on the grounds. However, this system is disappointing, for every recycling bin, there are evidently dozens of "normal" trash cans. Nonetheless, recycling also takes place in the residence halls. In Lakeside West, for example, there are three large bins on the first floor--one for paper, one for plastic, and one for aluminum. There are similar recycling bins set up in some of the classroom buildings around campus. The only other location on campus with easily accessible recycling bins is at the post office on the first floor of the Ferguson Center.

Along with the University, the city of Tuscaloosa also has a recycling program. Each Tuscaloosa resident is given a blue recycling bin to be placed on the street once a week. Residents may place newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard, aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans, plastic soda bottles, and plastic milk jugs into the recycling bin. Drop-off sites are also available to those who do not live on the city's curbside trash route. Such sites include local fire stations and a handful of churches, businesses, and schools.

However, the city does not recycle certain types of plastic (numbers three through seven). These include the types of plastics that make up egg cartons, cling wrap, disposable kitchenware, and squeezable bottles. This leaves a large percentage of plastic waste condemned to the landfill. Furthermore, the city does not offer glass recycling, because it often costs much more to do so.

Additionally, in par with the University of Alabama, the city of Tuscaloosa does not recycle hazardous waste, batteries, motor oil, tires, nor other materials frequently thrown away.

While the recycling efforts at the University are a good start, there is much to be done. College-age students and their professors are the most likely percentage of the population to actively recycle. Therefore, the issue isn't the lack of interest, it lies with the fact that recycling has to be made convenient. A student is less likely to recycle if he or she must walk across campus to put a newspaper in a recycling bin when he or she has access to a conventional trash can just down the hall. Furthermore, the University should better advertise the fact that there are recycling programs available if there are such services. Many students are ignorant of the fact that the University does, in fact, have a recycling program.

Additionally, the University needs to make a point to empty recycling bins regularly. Too often, recycling bins are overflowing, and even used for general waste. By routinely emptying the recycling bins, the University is showing that they, too, are serious about recycling and students and faculty aren't wasting their time and efforts.

According to The Scene, a weekly publication of the University of Alabama's student-run newspaper, The Crimson White, past recycling efforts have been in affect only until the sponsoring student or students are no longer enrolled at the University. As soon as they leave, their programs are either cut-back or forgotten by subsequent student officers. Nonetheless, through increased efforts recently, recycling at the Capstone has more than doubled over the past year. According to The Scene, in February and March 2007, 46,344 pounds of waste were recycled, while in February and March 2008, 116,000 pounds of waste were recycled, an increase of approximately one-hundred fifty percent.