The natural order: Reduce, reuse, recycle

-- Vickie Evans-Nash

Can thinking "green" have an effect on the decisions we make while on campus? In the September 2006 issue of The Metropolitan, Andrea Jackley gave a synopsis of global warming along with some ideas on what we can do to effect positive change. But what is the Metropolitan State University community doing to address the situation?

Some Metropolitan State University students recently conducted a waste audit as part of a group class project. Their research supports that Metropolitan State University “does an excellent job at recycling; in fact they go beyond that” in their recycling procedures while "striving to be green." As part of their audit they consulted with Roger Broz, Building Service Manager for the St. Paul Campus.

Broz has a bachelor’s degree in science with a focus on natural resources and ecology. At Metropolitan State University he is involved in waste management decisions including recycling. But through education and experience, he believes that a more proactive stance is necessary. "Recycling is like bandaging the problem," Broz said.

He explained that besides recycling, Metropolitan State University has several procedures in place to ensure that the environment is not overlooked during day-to-day activities. Construction choices are made with an emphasis on minimizing energy consumption. Fuel Oil - Number 2 Heating Oil is used during the winter as another means to conserve energy. Keeping the grounds west of the Library and Learning Center undeveloped takes acreage out of production so that neither chemicals nor energy is used to maintain the property. Broz also said that there are plans for a rain garden, most likely east of the main entrance of Founders Hall, which will increase the acreage taken out of production.

All of the issues Broz mentioned focus on reduction, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are three viable components to protecting our environment: Reduce, reuse and recycle. But these are not interchangeable options carrying equal weight. Reduction is by far the most ecologically responsible alternative of the three.

Broz identified two areas at Metropolitan State University that he describes as "low hanging fruit."

"We need to make an effort to handle as much as possible electronically so we can reduce our paper consumption," Broz said. He described how work orders and administrative requests currently offered electronically are often printed instead of filled out online. "It’s hard to change habits," Broz said. "People like to print. But we need to discipline ourselves to change."

Broz is convinced that the second area of change would cause a "massive outcry" among the entire Metropolitan State University community — removing or reducing vending machines. "The problem is that vending machines are heavily used and they generate revenue. They are there to serve the community, but there is no ecologically friendly way to offer a can of Coke. So there has to be a compromise."

Broz said that administration is supportive of necessary changes, but it is important for all of us to broaden our perspective and become "green conscious" when making choices that have a long-term effect on our world.