Environment club takes out the trash

By Lori Vaughn
The Metropolitan

Trash is a dirty word for members of Aurariaâs chapter of Colorado Public Interest Research Group.
Five volunteers for CoPIRG dug through Aurariaâs trash Oct. 9, looking for recyclable items that would end up in Colorado landfills.

 CoPIRG volunteers sorted through eight bags of garbage at a site between the Plaza Building and the Tivoli, salvaging all but the equivalent of one bag of trash.

ãDumpster diving is great because it is a visual concept of what we actually waste,ä CoPIRG volunteer Natalie Maes said. ãAs long as we reached one or two people, it was worth it.ä

CoPIRG volunteers said only about eight to 10 percent of all recyclable goods are actually recycled. When volunteers donned rubber gloves and began rummaging through garbage bags, many passersby stopped to ask questions.

ãThey did a good job of proving their point,ä said Metro student Kevin Dzebel.

The event kicked off a semester-long campaign to increase recycling efforts on campus and to strengthen Colorado recycling laws.

ãThey got my attention,ä said Metro student Joe Ross.

In 1996, the Colorado Legislature failed to renew its commitment to buy recycled products, so CoPIRG is trying to convince Gov. Roy Romer to issue an executive order directing state agencies to buy recycled products.

ãAlthough many Coloradans are environmental and outdoor enthusiasts, they donât have to see where their trash is going,ä CoPIRG member Mark Reece said. ãBasically, it is apathy.ä

According to CoPIRG statistics, it takes 64 percent less energy and 57 percent less water to produce recycled paper. But the problem lies in economics.

ãWithout a market for these recyclable goods, they just sit in the factories and eventually end up in landfills,ä Reece said. ãPeople need to start increasing their awareness and not waiting until it is too late.ä