For Immediate Release
Contact: Jack DeBell, 303-492-8307

University of Colorado Launches Campus Recycling Network
‘Colorado Campus Recycling Network’ Launched In Response To Growing Student Interest

BOULDER, November 13, 2003 – University of Colorado announces a new network for campus recycling, “The Colorado Campus Recycling Network,” which was formed in response to Colorado’s growing student interest in environmentalism. The aim of the network is to improve recycling on campuses and in college towns around the State, by sharing information, best practices and ideas. The Colorado Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation was involved in the planning and funding of this campus recycling network.

The Colorado Campus Recycling Network is ready to improve recycling around the state. The group’s first project was the recent launch of a website where contacts for seven campus recycling programs are listed, and more are expected to join. The site contains a “toolbox” where recycling coordinators can share successes, allowing others to benefit and avoid reinventing recycling programs on each campus. Additionally, there’s an extensive set of recycling-related resources from around the country and an e-mail listserver so subscribers can communicate rapidly with each other.

With this initial work accomplished, organizers are already working on projects of statewide importance. One such project aggregates schools’ purchasing power towards environmentally preferable goods and services. Other projects in the works include training and career placement, and better “town-gown” collaboration.

The Colorado Campus Recycling network enables higher education to respond to student interest in topics, such as recycling, which continue to increase, partially due to environmental education instilled in grades K-12 since Earth Day 1990. College students today have been recycling since elementary school. Many of them are now interested in taking resource management classes, finding internships with local recycling businesses, and pursuing environmental professions after graduation.

However, there aren’t many programs in Colorado schools on basic recycling programs for student participation. With a few exceptions, Colorado's colleges and universities have less developed waste reduction and landfill diversion programs than peer institutions around the country. Nationwide, approximately 78 percent of the nation’s 3,500 colleges and universities have an established recycling program, compared to less than one-third of Colorado’s schools.

Campus recycling networks exist around the country at the state and national levels. North Carolina, and California for instance, have campus recycling organizations sponsored by their state recycling organizations. Wisconsin and Florida fund campus recycling networks with state government funds. Also, the College and University Recycling Council (CURC) began as an informal caucus in 1990 and then was funded as the Technical Council of the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) in 1995.

Jack DeBell directs CU-Boulder’s Recycling Program and has helped organize other campus programs around the state and nation. He’s enthused with the potential for such a network in Colorado. “Colleges and universities can make important, even decisive contributions to help the environment. Students are ready but are we?” he added.

For more information about the Colorado Campus Recycling Network, including sponsorship opportunities and free subscription, visit the new Web site or call 303-492-8307.

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