Recycling During the Summer

The summer is now in full swing and the Georgia College Office of Sustainability is still open and providing services to the Georgia College community. The Office of Sustainability is delivering news and information through this blog but, it also responsible for monitoring and educating the community on sustainable behaviors. Even though it is summer, we’re still open and offering green alternatives for the community to use.

Fig. 1. A recycling bin found on the third floor of the Georgia College library.

The familiar blue recycling bins are still available throughout the campus for use by GC students and the public. Remember you can recycle copy paper, newsprint, magazines, cardboard, plastics #1 and #2, and metal cans. A full list of what is recyclable is available at the Sustainability Council FAQ page. Brita water stations are available around campus providing filtered and safe water if you have a reusable water bottle.

Fig. 2. Flowers blooming and healthy on the Georgia College campus.

The Grounds Department at Georgia College is still hard at work composting lawn trimmings. The compost they create is being used on campus.The community garden, located at West Campus, is still open to students and looking for helpers. Work days on the garden are every Tuesday at 7AM during the summer. No matter the time of year, the Green Initiative, handled by the Sustainability Council, will continue to make positive changes for the Georgia College community.

Now that you know what Georgia College is doing this summer, here are some things that you can do to have a positive environmental impact. Set your thermostat to 78 ° F during the summer. Not only do you save on your heating bill, but you also reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home. Outside summer activities such as mowing the lawn and grilling can also be made greener. Save any lawn clippings you have and add them to a compost pile so they can be used as a soil nutrient. There are now many lawnmowers options that are environmentally friendly. Push lawnmowers do not emit gas fumes and can be a good workout. There are also electric and solar lawn mowers that are battery powered. If your old lawn mower is acting up, consider recycling it and investing in a push, solar, or electric lawnmower. Check with your local scrap metal recycling companies to see if they will recycle your lawn mower.

After grilling, make sure to recycle old propane tanks instead of throwing them away. You can usually recycle old propane tanks or trade them for new ones at various retailers. If you’re getting rid of old clothing, make sure to donate it to a thrift shop or charity instead of throwing it away. The beach is also a popular summer destination and like camping it is better to leave the sand better than when you found it. Empty bottles of sunscreen and aerosol cans may be recyclable in your area, so don’t immediately throw those away. Be sure to check with your local municipality to find out where and how to recycle these items.

These are just a few tips that can make your summer greener and safe for the planet. If you have any questions about green services at Georgia College, feel free to email sustaingc@gcsu.edu.