Grant Will Fund Student-Initiated Effort Designed to Promote and Refine Campus Recycling
Wilmington College's long history in promoting recycling on campus — dating back to the 1990s — reached another milestone this week when Clinton County presented WC with a PEAR grant designed to promote and refine the practice.
PICTURED: This week's check presentation featured, from the left, Jeff Walls, coordinator for the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District (CCSWMD); Nick Hoover, director of housing and residence life; Julio Olivarez, a junior who serves as the Student Leadership Executive Board's chair for the environment and sustainability; Chip Murdock, director of community service and diversity + inclusion; Brenda Woods, member of the Clinton County Board of Commissioners; and Erin Hartsock, CCSWMD outreach specialist.
The $647 PEAR (Promoting Environmental Awareness and Recycling) Grant will allow the College to focus on efficient and effective ways for students in residence halls to engage in "clean recycling."
In other words, ideally, they will become better aware of what items are recyclable in Wilmington and how mixing those materials with non-recyclable items can "contaminate" an environmentally sound and cost-effective process. It also will facilitate plans for recycling ease of access on campus.
WC junior Julio Olivarez helped write the grant proposal, which is based on making recycling convenient for students with special hours set aside each week for staffed recycling centers in each residence hall. The trained staff would educate students on what is recyclable while monitoring the items they bring to the centers. The grant is being used to further develop and refine that concept.
"The program will be molded to students' wants and needs," said Olivarez, who serves as the Student Leadership Executive Board's chair for the environment and sustainability.
Jeff Walls, who was present along with other county officials to present the check noted that, "The model they presented is a great way to reduce the possibility of contamination." Walls serves as coordinator for the Clinton County Solid Waste Management District (CCSWMD).
Joining Walls in representing the county for the check presentation were Commissioner Brenda Woods and Erin Hartsock, CCSWMD outreach specialist. Also involved were WC's Chip Murdock, director of community service and diversity + inclusion; Nick Hoover, director of housing and residence life.
