Q: What course concepts did you see in action?
A: Throughout the semester we have been learning of ways that we can reduce our ecological footprint and lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. We have learned that the actions we take today will affect us tomorrow. If we take the time to take care of our earth, our quality of life can be improved. Recycling affects the species that live on the planet. For animals to thrive on our planet we must have a clean environment with little waste. Everyone has seen the pictures of the animals that experience deformities due to being stuck in plastic rings. Biodiversity is essential for the functioning and sustainability of an ecosystem. Different species play specific functions, and changes in species composition, species richness, and functional type affect the efficiency with which resources are processed within an ecosystem. This project reminds us that we can all be doing our part by recycling and taking action to help reduce waste.
Q: What did you do? – be very specific – include plant names, soil types, names of groups and individuals
A: I visited Kathleen Grady at the Office of sustainability and learned of the expansion of Temple’s recycling program. I was assigned the task of traveling to the different schools on Temple’s campus to hand out flyers and magnets that helps spread the awareness of the program expansion. I gave people in faculty office these messages so they could be hung accordingly. Temple expanded its recycling program so that members of the university community can now recycle mixed plastics, Nos. 1-7. Examples of newly accepted items include yogurt cups, clamshell containers, straws, iced coffee beverage cups and a wider range of plastic containers for food and medicine. Soiled containers are still not recyclable within the new program — items contaminated with food waste must be rinsed before being placed into university recycling containers.
Q: How does this project or agency address community needs?
A: Resilience in an urban system depends on the city’s ability to maintain ecological and human functions simultaneously. We need to keep doing our part by recycling and taking any extra action we can to keep our planet thriving. If we all do just a little bit, it can make a huge difference. As I mentioned earlier, the best thing we can do is educate the people we are surrounded by. The community needs to be aware of new programs in place to help prolong life on earth, sustainability. With education, everyone can learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. The expansion of the program is really aimed at making it easier to do the right thing, recycle.
Q: How can you educate others or raise awareness about this urban greening stewardship issue?
A: The most efficient action I could take is to help spread the word to other students here at Temple. Temple has several initiatives in place to encourage waste minimization, including water bottle filling stations designed to reduce the use of disposable water bottles. In addition, Sodexo offers discounted coffee refills at all of its campus locations to those who bring a reusable coffee mug. There are plenty of reasons to engage in these activies because its beneficial for the business owner and the consumer. The business reduces their waste by handing out less plastic and the consumer receives a discount and helps reduce waste. Q: Speculate: what do you think the impact will be?
A: The impact will be very beneficial. Expanding the program helps advance goals set forth in the university’s Climate Action Plan to increase the recycling rate to 40 percent from 32 percent by 2015. The university saves money by diverting more solid waste from its waste stream. It costs more than $150 more to dispose of one ton of trash compared to one ton of recycling, according to a 2012 assessment. Although an expanded recycling program is a positive achievement, we need to stress the importance of waste minimization. Reducing consumption of new products is the best way to conserve resources, energy, and reduce pollution.