🚀 go-pugleaf

Dear Brian,

As my favorite E. S. professor. used to say: "There is no such thing as a dumb question."

>>> The environmental studies faculty has approved intern credit for participation in the  program.

>> Why should a group such as yourself get this kind of support when your opponents do not?

I am not sure our opponents are not getting support.  Factions of  the environmental groups and the business groups routinely clash on the cost-effectiveness of recycling versus disposal.  If they wish to petition their department for credit for a study to discredit recycling, more power to them.

>>> We are planning to  send a letter to State Senator Hayden asking for a portion of the Cal State budget be allocated to recycling, ... .

>> If colleges want to recycle ect. then why don't they just do it?

In 1989 I was a charter member of the recycling club here at SJSU.  Since then we have continually been fighting with the administration and the grounds staff for the opportunity to place recycling containers and bins on campus.

The people who see to it that the campus lights are kept on and the walks are swept have a mandate that is outlined by the State Legislature and the Board of Regents.  Whenever we recyclers ask for any support in the recycling effort, we are always told that they do not have any money in the budget for recycling.  That is why we are asking for even a token sum to be written into the budget.

Also, the state government has chosen to mandate that cities in the state reduce the amount of solid waste going into their landfills.  This effort will require people trained in solid waste management.  I feel the campus setting is an excellent one for future waste managers to get started in their field.

Any change that does not have an immediate cost advantage will have to be pushed along, things such as; greenbelts around cities, endangered plant and animal preservation, the elimination of things like PCBs, asbestos and leaded gasoline.  All of these hurt the bottom line in the short run, but those of us who support them feel that, like planting a lawn in your front yard, it doesn't put money in your pocket but if you prefer seeded grass to what passes for native grasses these days the extra cost is wort


h it in the long run.
I hope that answers your questions, and I hope you will join us in our effort to "educate" the campuses about recycling.