By Kendall Gray
Students who were concerned that the University does not recycle took an initiative Wednesday to encourage the student body to divide its garbage and help the environment.
Josh Garfinkel, along with other members of Hofstra’s Organization for Progressive Empowerment, or H.O.P.E., set up a table outside of the bookstore with different bins for recyclable items such as newspaper, white paper, glass, cans and plastic bottles.
“Most progressives are concerned about the environment,” Miriam Goldman, a member of H.O.P.E., said. “One of the concerns of the members of HOPE is that Hofstra may not be recycling to the utmost of their ability.”
According to Goldman, the University claims to recycle through Jamaica Ash, a local garbage collection service, which is supposed to sort out all recyclable items from the garbage. The University advertises recycling by placing bright blue bins throughout the campus that sport the ‘recycle’ logo. Any garbage that goes into these bins is what is supposed to be separated and recycled by Jamaica Ash.
“We feel that having separate bins for recyclables would make this more probable and teach Hofstra students about how to recycle,” continued Goldman.
According to Garfinkel, a few years ago, a couple of University students made an attempt to raise awareness within the student body about the importance of recycling. These students did not succeed in gaining enough support so their efforts went unnoticed by the community. However, this time the members of H.O.P.E are not going to let their efforts go unnoticed.
“Our goal is to do more for the progressive community, to unify it,” said Kayleigh Tompkins, a sophomore political science major.
“I had no idea Hofstra recycled,” said one female student who wished to remain anonymous. “I thought those blue bins in the cafeteria were just for garbage, not recyclables. I never noticed the recycle sign on them.”
Some students offer advice on how to recycle. Kelly McGrath proposes that the University place different bins for recyclable items.
“They should have separate bins for recycling in different areas around campus, especially in the student center,” McGrath, a junior exercise specialist major said. “Hofstra definitely should encourage recycling to help improve and protect the environment.”
H.O.P.E also wants to have separate recycling bins throughout campus, raise awareness about the importance of recycling and donate money to charities.
All the aluminum cans that H.O.P.E members collect will be exchanged at a local recycling plant for money, which they will then donate to the Save Darfur Fund.
“We hope to not only encourage Hofstra to recycle more, but our ultimate goal is to have separate bins for recyclables on campus,” said Goldman.
