Task Force works for environmentally friendly college

MARK SMITH
Senior Writer
seniorwriter@occc.edu

America Recycles Day — the only nationally recognized day dedicated to recylcing — is Sunday, Nov. 15.

The goal is to make recycling a habit, not just a once-a-year event.

OCCC has made efforts to become a more environmentally friendly college.

Brandon Isaak, OCCC’s Green Task Force chairman, said he began his volunteer recycling here at OCCC in 2008.

Isaak said it all started in the Communications Lab.

“I placed bins with spray painted recycle emblems on them outside of the Communications Lab’s front door,” he said.

“People would bring their recyclables trash, and I would remove it each time it was full.”

After the bins were full, Isaak said, he would empty and transport them to the recycling centers himself.

Isaak said the Green Task Force, which is made up of students, faculty, and staff, is making plans to improve upon his recycling efforts.

For example, he said, the task force is looking at ways to recycle paper goods and make a profit.

Currently, OCCC recycles paper and cardboard through Oklahoma City’s Waste Management Program, Isaak said.

However, if the college were to contract with the Paper Retrieval Company, it would be possible to make a profit.

“The company would weigh our paper and cardboard, which is a lot, and pay us based on that weight,” he said.

The Green Task Force also is working on starting an official recycling program here at the college, Isaak said.

However, he said, it is very costly to maintain this program.

“It would cost $23,546 a year to fund this program (and) the first year would cost $31,000 since we need to purchase the recycling bins,” Isaak said.

Even thought the program is costly, he said, he thinks the program will start soon.

Other projects in the works are biodegradable and reusable clamshells in the cafeteria, Isaak said.

Each day students throw away a tremendous amount of these products, he said. In addition, the clamshells the cafeteria currently uses are made of Styrofoam, and therefore, are not biodegradable.

Isaak said another important method of protecting the environment is by reducing the number of items a person uses.

“If we use less then we have less garbage,” he said.

Isaak said he recommends people to become informed about recycling and pollution.

For more information about the Green Task Force, students can contact Isaak at 405-682-1611, ext. 7588.

Students who wish to learn more about America Recycles Day can visit their website at www.americarecyclesday.org.