(Misty Leigh McElroy/Nicholls State University)
5/26/17
THIBODAUX, La. — Nicholls State University expanded its campus sustainability with the addition of eight new recycling bins.
The new recycling bins have been placed around campus in an effort to make recycling more accessible as part of the Public Space Recycling Bin Grant Program sponsored by Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola Company. Nicholls will receive six recycling bins through the grant, and another two have been purchased by Shell. Student volunteers from the Biology Society, Nicholls chapter of TriBeta National Biological Honor Society and the Green Club will check the bins weekly and record their content.
“We have students here at Nicholls who are very concerned about the environment. Thanks to Keep America Beautiful, Coca-Cola and Shell, we’ll be able to make recycling more available to the campus community,” said Dr. Allyse Ferrara, professor of biological sciences. “We’re hopeful these bins will encourage students to recycle by showing them just how easy it is to do it.”
Bins have been placed near Jazzman’s Cafe, Galliano Hall, Stopher Gymnasium, Ellender Library, Colonel’s Retreat and the Bollinger Memorial Student Union.
Behavioral research has shown that two of the primary barriers that stop people from recycling are the lack of convenient opportunities and confusion about what and how to recycle. This lack of recycling opportunities is reflected in a national survey conducted for Keep America Beautiful in 2013, in which 92 percent of respondents said they recycle at home while only 41 percent indicated that they typically recycle in public spaces.
Grant recipients were chosen by Keep America Beautiful based on their potential to collect the most cans and bottles as well other considerations such as the extent of their need, recycling experience, and their ability to sustain the program in the future.
In total, the Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful Public Space Recycling Bin Grant Program will provide 3,522 recycling bins to colleges and universities, along with 996 bins to local governments and nonprofit organizations.
A full list of the 2016 Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful Public Space Recycling Bin Grant recipients, as well as Keep America Beautiful’s best practices guide, “Designing Effective Public Space Recycling Programs,” are available at https://bingrant.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2016
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
