How Recycling can Impact a College $tudent

 

 

As Elmira College students, we wanted to investigate recycling through the eyes of a college student. Looking around campus, one can see many plastic bottles and plenty of other recycled materials in garbage cans. There are even cans and bottles in these receptacles that can be redeemed for a deposit.

 

Most students know that Elmira College does not place many recycling bins around campus. It seems as if some of the ones that they have placed in certain locations disappear after a while. The lack of recycling bins is a likely cause of some students putting recyclable materials in garbage cans. Other causes may include laziness and lack of awareness.

 

Perhaps the most relevant situation of recycling economics for college students is the redemption of cans and bottles for a deposit. Throughout each week, students consume many beverages in bottles or cans where a deposit has been paid. In New York State, the deposit on these is five cents apiece.

 

Let’s say that a student is careless about recycling and redeeming their cans and bottles. They consume 15 drinks per week that have a deposit on them, and they throw them in the garbage when they are done. In an academic year, there are approximately 35 weeks. If this student does this every week of the academic year, this is how it would work out:

 

 

(15 bottles per week) x ($0.05 per bottle) x (35 weeks per academic year) = $26.25

 

This costs more than throwing away a $20 bill every year. A student could use $20 for many useful things. Being more aware of this cost would probably increase responsible recycling among college students.