I've always been interested in recycling. The idea of efficient use and
reuse of resources seems like a simple way to reduce the waste stream,
minimize the impact of consumption on the environment, and save money. The concept is so elegantly simple and easy. The difficult
parts comes in making the system understandable and easy
to use while motivating people to take the little bit of
extra thought to use it.
From the 1950s through the 1980s (and even today), people have felt they
could just "put things in the trash and throw it away." The
paradigm was, "the world's resources are here for me to use as I
need, at my convenience. If I throw it away, it doesn't
exist anymore; it's not my problem." Most of us have started to
change our view of the world to one of stewardship. Most of us want to
take better care of the environment for ourselves and our children and
feel that what we do makes a difference. However, some people still
feel that it is an intrusion and unnecessary inconvenience to have to
think about separating paper and food waste, putting glass in a separate
barrel, finding a can to dispose of cigarette butts properly, etc. We all
have busy lives and none of us wants to deal with
what we feel are useless rules and regulations.
So the task is to help people understand the importance of recycling
(and other environment-saving actions) and then create systems that work
as simply and effectively as possible to do it. I asked myself, what
can I do here at work to assist in setting up the systems to make
recycling work within my limited time budget?
The Waste Minimization people at EH&S have been setting up a number of
systems to reduce the waste streams at LBNL. My effort is focused on
getting some of the recycling systems fully implemented in my building,
monitoring the systems to see that they work, letting people know how
they should be used, and motivating people to use them. In addition,
I'm working on litter awareness and cleanup.
This sounds like a lot to do. While it did take some extra effort to get the recycling started, it
takes very little to maintain it. I got the recycling barrels in place
at appropriate locations in the building for glass and batteries; I
packed "peanuts," making sure they were well-labeled and put
out a memo about how to properly use them. I answer questions when I
can or get the answers from EH&S. I check occasionally to see that
recycling barrels are in place and not overflowing. I work with the
custodians to educate people to use the recycling systems, including the
blue food waste garbage cans.
I organize litter cleanups similar to the one we did initially in Bldg. 65. (See related article.) Building occupants, Green Team members and all others are welcome and encouraged to participate. Dayna Powell of the gardening staff is very supportive of our
efforts and will be providing gloves and trash bags. We can show that
we care and that, with minimal effort, we can make a difference. I
will be happy to help anyone set up similar efforts in their
building.
The staff at EH&S will also help with setting up
recycling containers. You can contact me at Ken Woolfe, X7739 or KDWoolfe@lbl.gov.
