Students from the University of Idaho Sustainability Center Expect to Increase Collection of Reusable Materials This Spring
Tuesday, April 22 2008
April 22, 2007 MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho students who plan some spring cleaning before leaving Moscow have an alternative to wasting reusable items. A group funded by the University of Idaho Sustainability Center will provide collection sites on campus May 7-11 and off campus May 11-16 for reusable items in an effort to reduce waste. Formerly known as the Campus Move-Out Program, the group now calls itself RE-ZY, which is an abbreviated combination of its new slogan, “Reuse Made Easy.” The student organization encourages reuse, and provides university students with collection sites for reusable household items, furniture, clothing and nonperishable foods. The program collected about 1,100 pounds of reusable items at its first official collection in December, and hopes to divert even more reusable waste away from landfills this spring. “More students are expected to graduate this spring compared to last winter, and we hope to see an increase in donations and support from both students and the community,” said Fafa Asiseh, RE-ZY publicity operator. “The community has a social responsibility to help the better the environment, and they can help in our effort toward that cause.” The program also needs volunteers from the campus and community to help make the collection possible. Willow Falcon, RE-ZY program director, said about 100 volunteer hours are needed to help move items from the collection sites into storage throughout the week. “Volunteers will help contribute to sustainability efforts in the Moscow,” she said. “Just one hour of time could help so much, and volunteers will see the value of reuse and pass along that message.” Volunteer sign-up sheets are at the Associated Students of the University of Idaho (ASUI) Center for Volunteerism and Social Action, located on the second floor of the Idaho Commons. Collection sites will allow all students both on and off campus to make use of the program. Indoor sites at the university include: the Learning and Living Community 24-hour Help Desk; the Theophilus Tower lobby; the Wallace Residence Complex’s east and west entrances; and the McConnel Hall lobby. Outdoor sites include: the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity; the Delta Chi fraternity; the Beta Theta Pi fraternity; the Theta Chi fraternity; the Learning and Living Community lawn; and the east side of the Wallace Residence Complex. An off-campus collection truck will collect items from noon to 6 p.m, on Sunday, May 11, and from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, May 12-16, at the Campus View Apartments, on the corner of West A St. and Perimeter Dr. “It is important to realize how big of an impact one person can make by reusing items instead of throwing them away,” said Cynthia Mika, project coordinator. “This program makes it so easy to for everyone to reuse.” Last semester, the program was funded by a $10,760 grant from UISC, and the funds have supported the program through the end of this school year. About $3,000 is needed to cover the basic costs of equipment, mileage, advertising and management for the collection. In an effort to keep the program sustainable, Falcon said collected items will be sold at two annual yard sales, one this spring that targets the Moscow community and one in the late summer/fall that targets incoming students. The first sale will be held 7-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17; the location is yet to be determined and will be announced soon. With the help of a student team participating in a business plan competition from the College of Business, the group has developed a new business plan for the upcoming school year, along with a new name, slogan and Web site, http://re-zy.ourprofile.org. “We are excited about our new objectives for the business plan, and we hope it helps keep the program sustainable in the years to come,” said Falcon. The University of Idaho Sustainability Center funds student-led projects that address sustainability topics on campus. For more information, contact the UISC office at uisc@uidaho.edu or visit www.uidaho.edu/uisc. # # # About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu Contact: Willow Falcon, RE-ZY Program Director, (208) 596-0639, falc4570@vandals.uidaho.edu; or Fafa Asiseh, RE-ZY Publicity Operator, (208) 301-1024, fasiseh@vandals.uidaho.edu CW-4/22/08-UISC
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.