Convenience

Making Truth More Convenient

The focus group believes that recycling on campus is nearly a misnomer. Philip Barret commented that “Go green. Ole Miss hasn’t shown a lot towards that effort.” How many places do you know of that have recycling bin? Most people who recycle on campus must make special trips to get it done. This forces people to look for a harder and less efficient way to recycle and discourages the green initiative. Anna Kate Robbins, UM student, said, “People aren’t going to do it if it isn’t convenient.” The group agreed that the lack of convenient recycling locations forces many students to throw recyclable items in the trash for the sake of time on the way to class. We found this to be very true in our focus group. Many owned up to not recycling at times simply because the trash can was there.

If the campus actually wants to go green then one of the first steps is to get people recycling. Placing recycling bins next every trash can, vending machine, and throughout all the high traffic areas on campus would surely improve the amount of recycling done on campus. The focus group concluded that every building should have at least one bin maybe more in larger places like the library. Recycling receptacles make from recycled materials could make a difference. Making recycling easy would allow the University of Mississippi to make a great step towards actually being a red, blue, and green campus.

There could be many ways to increase students’ interest in recycling. Ashley

Smith, a Junior English major, suggested getting “the fraternities and sororities involved.

They are always looking for something like that to be involved with.” They have a large

pull on this campus, and the numbers that they have could really help make a difference.

There could be many programs involving recycling that could raise money for more bins

on campus. Fraternities and sororities love competing, and holding competitions or

fundraising events would be one of the best solutions to the problem here in Oxford. This

might be one rather convenient solution to getting people involved and interested, and as

Mr. Robbins, Southern Region President of Simms Metal Management, put it “It has to

be convenient.”