Is it Easy being GREEN?  

 

By Chelsea Bjerke

 

Believe it or not, today’s world is relying more and more on the 3 R’s of being recycling; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Helping our environment save, and reduce waste is becoming more popular and making its way lower in the age group. Looking at Bemidji State University’s campus there are recycling bins in every building, making the option easy and convenient to those passing by. Asking 5 random students if they recycle on their own at home received a 40% “Yes.” That may be below an average 50%, but compared to earlier years the rate is climbing.

After talking to one specific Bemidji State student, Ashley Hirt, if she recycled in her home, her response was at her parents’ home (also in Bemidji) they do recycle and that she and her 3 roommates are slowing trying to more at their college home. “Right now it’s more of finding room in our tiny college house to place multiple different garbage cans, and also having to take the extra time and drop them off at a recycling center” was what Hirt had to say about the topic. Also, “If the city would have recycling trucks [like garbage trucks] come through once a week to pick up recycling, and then I believe a lot more households would definitely take the time to recycle.”

After speaking with Mark Bjerke, publisher for LivGreen Magazine based out of the Twin Cities, MN, about recycling and what Hirt had to say, Bjerke responded with “Recycling is easier than people think.” After getting further into what Bjerke meant he explained ‘16 easy ways to be Green.’ (As shown in photo A) 

Figure A

“Being Green” is easier than people think! It isn’t all about assorting garbage cans and bringing them to the city recycling center. Being green in your own home is as easy as freezing extra food for later to coloring your hair at a school and saving a couple bucks-You just need to know the right tricks.

Figure A