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The University of Mississippi's campus recycling program and the Oxford Recycling Department are working together to make the university and Oxford a "greener" place to live. The initiative is the first joint effort between the university and city recycling programs.
The most recent addition to the university's recycling program is a recycling drop-off area located behind Fulton Chapel and is specifically for aluminum and plastic, Scott Steen, assistant director of the physical plant, said.
The university already recycled paper and cardboard before the addition of the drop-off area on campus, and this provides a way for students to actively take part in the "going green" initiative to preserve the environment, Steen said.
"We ask everyone to take part in recycling plastic and aluminum," he said.
Amberlyn Liles, coordinator of the Oxford Recycling Department, said she is pleased with the participation in Oxford, especially considering the city was recently named the top recycling community in Mississippi.
Oxford currently has two drop-off locations, and the most popular location is located on Molly Barr Road by the police department, Liles said.
Oxford residents have become so used to using the location that it has become a place for social gathering, Liles said.
Residential curb-side recycling pickup in Oxford is currently at 15 percent, but it will increase to 100 percent in October 2008, Liles said.
The Oxford program recycles most materials, including paper, plastic, aluminum and cardboard, she said.
Liles added that the program does not recycle glass due to safety concerns as well as lack of adequate space, funding and proper equipment.
The fusion of the Oxford and university recycling programs have received a great response, she said.
"From the beginning, we've worked together as a team," Liles said.
Many people at the university come from various communities, which have different standards and practices concerning recycling, and the challenge is to convey how important this program is, Liles said.
Jonathan Cornell, junior liberal arts major, thinks the amount of recycling in Oxford differs greatly from his hometown in California.
"Recycling seems more prevalent in California than in Oxford," Cornell said. "I haven't seen any evidence of it in Oxford."
While the development of the program has been a long process, Liles is optimistic about the future of recycling efforts at Oxford and the university.
"Any successful recycling program requires patience and money," Liles said. "The ultimate goal is to have a recycling program without it costing anything."
Liles added that a large part of the success of the program in Oxford and the university requires participation and a reinvention of attitudes concerning recycling and preserving the environment.
"It's hard to change someone's thinking, but it's not impossible." Liles said.
