McGill boosts recycling
University invests $120,000 to become environmentally friendlier
McGill is kicking off 2003 by vastly expanding its recycling efforts. Every major building at the University, be they downtown or at Macdonald Campus, will now feature at least one recycling station for the disposal of plastics, glass, metals and paper.
Until now, only 17 percent of McGill's waste - mostly paper -- was recycled through office and classroom blue boxes. Recycling of other materials was possible only in select locations adjacent to food services. Now, 120 multi-purpose recycling stations will be conveniently located in the lobbies of every building.
The University's new recycling measures are being implemented as part of McGill's Environmental Policy, approved by Senate in Spring 2001, largely in response to student requests for increased environmental friendliness. The new recycling program is the result of teamwork between the University's Senate Subcommittee on the Environment, which worked with the Environmental Safety Office on establishing a greener McGill. The Subcommittee conducted a thorough review of McGill's energy and waste management - including a waste audit - in an effort to improve environmental efficiency.
The Subcommittee recommended that McGill fortify recycling and improve environmental efficiency in three phases. Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Morty Yalovsky says McGill has allocated $120,000 to implement the first phase of environmental campaign: the purchase of recycling stations and their maintenance, as well as hiring a full-time environmental officer. "This person will examine the different initiatives McGill can take to be environmentally friendlier," Yalovsky says, adding the position should be filled this winter.
Wayne Wood, manger of the Environmental Safety Office, says hiring an environmental officer will do much to bolster McGill's environmental friendliness. The new hire will act as internal liaison with students, administration, faculty and other McGillians concerned about green issues. The person will also network with external groups to compare McGill's environmental practices with other institutions.
The University is also endeavoring to prevent the over-consumption of energy and other resources. McGill has purchasing cleaning products that favour environmentally benign or non-toxic products. "Measures encouraged by McGill's Environmental Policy can make a significant impact," says Wood. "The beauty of a university initiating increased environmental friendliness is that it can sensitize others through education."
