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Committee involvement is an important component of establishing and maintaining a campus recycling effort. Establishing a campus committee to address waste, resource and environmental issues, can be valuable in many ways. These committees can work to create and implement, advocate, develop, support and generate funding for college recycling programs. Committees are a good place to garner support and create a campus environmental policy, sustainability guidelines and other waste reduction/resource conservation efforts. Additionally, these committees are valuable to educate and involve the campus community in environmental initiatives. Many schools are implementing committees that deal with recycling, waste management, resource conservation and environmental issues. Here’s an example of some college committees: Solid Waste Advisory Board Environmental Issues Committee Recycling Committee Waste Management Board Campus Sustainability Committee Green Team Official college committees are typically created by the President’s office and require faculty, staff and administration participation. Some schools include students on the committees as well, though it is difficult to recruit contributing students to committees. There are also opportunities to create internal or informal committees that are not necessarily sanctioned by a College President. The ones sanctioned by a college typically have chain of command, a formal structure of membership and a charter. Additionally, these committees have reporting requirements as well. Other informal committees can be just as effective in making recommendations and supporting campus environmental stewardship. The key is to involve influential dedicated players in the effort. There is a lot of work that a committee can do but it takes people who are interested in environmental issues and are willing to contribute to the effort. Besides college recycling committees, it is worthwhile for campus recycling programs to be represented on city, county, state, national, professional committees that deal with waste management and college operations as well. Check with the local/regional area to identify committees that exist on these issues. As a college, it is important to be represented on these committees. The government type of committees, will keep the program current on laws, operations, changes, future plans etc. This could effect the way that the recycling program is operated. Professional types of committees, provide an opportunity to network and partner with other professionals, which plays an important role in being resourceful. All of these committees help a college recycling program gain visibility, take an active role in waste management, help stimulate recycling practices in the greater community and provide access to resources and networking, all which enhance a college recycling effort. All of these committees also give the program a chance to be represented and open the door to influence issues beyond the campus community. Resources Lane Community College Recycling Committee National Recycling Coalition/College and University Recycling Council Sustainable Bowdoin College Texarkana College Earth Club University of Oregon Environmental Issues Committee |
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