Going Green isn't just for Tree-Huggers Anymore

A year ago, Molly Rambach, like the majority of students in Norman, didn't think much about everyday tasks like throwing out garbage, taking a shower, buying groceries or even driving her Jeep Commander. But all that changed when she visited a friend in California last summer and started learning more about environmental issues and the Green Movement.

"When a lot of people think about going green, they automatically think that it's all just about Global Warming and stuff. We want people to understand that they have the power to ensure our environment and surroundings are there for future generations." Rambach said, "Everything you do impacts the environment: getting in your car, eating beef, turning on a faucet."

"You know, if everyone in the world stopped eating meat for one day a week, it would help the environment seven times more than if everyone drove an electric car,"she said.

Rambach, an executive member of the Green Week committee, explained that the week leading up to Earth Day, which took place April 19 through 22 at various locations throughout the OU campus, is an effort to promote environmental awareness and educate students about recycling.

There are many students at OU who think it is very important to be aware of their consumption habits and actively look for ways to get others to join them. Green Week is just one of the many events designed to get people interested in learning more about recycling.

Chris Applegate, President of OUr Earth, an environmental organization, has gone as far as lobbying in Washington D.C. Although OU established a recycling plan in Both Amanda Tooley, marketing specialist at Facilities Management and Appleton, agree that it really started to take off between 2007 and 2008.

Climate Commitment, more commonly referred to as ACU-PAC, in April of 2007. The commitment was a pledge on behalf of the university to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“It is our patriotic duty as Americans to help our country achieve energy independence and to be sound stewards of the environment. All of us as Americans should unite in this effort. OU is uniquely situated for leadership in this area not only because of the conservation steps being announced today, but because of our academic leadership in fields related to advanced oil and gas production, enhanced recovery of fossil fuels, weather and climate research, biofuels research and other areas,” said OU President David L. Boren*
* http://www.ou.edu/sustainability/currentpractices.html


Things have been looking more positive ever since. According to the university’s sustainability website, recycling on campus went up twenty percent between 2008 and 2009.

Recycling on campus last year was equivalent to 932.55 tons.

One very important contributing factor in student participation, is the convenience of the containers.

Toohey pointed out that the dual-purpose receptacles have proven that.


Appleton pointed out that the shape of the recycling collectors were also important, because people are more likely to throw away paper into them if they are rectangular in shape rather than being round.

Professors and presidents of organizations aren't the only ones taking showing interest.

"We are really trying to change the way we do things," said Scottie Williams, Norman Sanitation Department Utilities Superintendent.

He pointed out the various vehicles used for collecting different types of recyclables, including some newly acquired, more 'nature-friendly' trucks.



On a more somber note, Williams pointed out that the highest point in Oklahoma is actually a landfill in southeastern Oklahoma City.

However, a thirteen percent drop in waste produced on-campus during 2009. With more people beginning to take notice, Oklahoma’s waste problem is improving.



Professor Dalton, director the OU's Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment Department says one reason it is easy to underestimate the importance of recycling is because the problem is externalized.

Dalton says that there are barges at sea filled with trash looking for a place to dispose of it, because we have simply run out of space.

Dalton, Appeton and Rambach are convinced that consumerism is a huge obstacle for Americans when it comes to our waste production problems.

"We are all so consumed with buying the newest iPhones but we don't think about what will happen to the old one," said Appleton.

"What happens to your old TV when it breaks and you buy a new one? Think about it, it goes somewhere. It doesn't just disappear," said Dalton.

When it comes to recycling, sustainability is a word that is often thrown around a lot.

During a meeting in Oklahoma City, Appleton was asked to explain the meaning and importance of the term.

He thinks that recycling is just one part of living a sustainable lifestyle. Which for him means being happy with 'less stuff'.

Appleton thinks that the problem is one of national important. According to him, people in Europe and Asia are more aware of natural resources.

Toohey explains that being smart about consumption when it comes to energy and waste is comparable to making the best use of time or money. If there is a limited amount of something, such as natural resources, then being conservative with it is only responsible choice.

Appleton says he understands that most students are not necessarily going to start eating organic or buying fair-trade products, but thinks that recycling is something that everyone should take part in.

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