GREENVILLE, S.C.—How much of the garbage that Furman University students throw out each day is actually recyclable?  About 40 percent, according to the information collected from the second annual “Furman Gets Trashed” Day.

      Trash from the university’s residence halls was collected and deposited in front of the James B. Duke Library early in the morning of April 25.  In the afternoon, more than 30 students, including members of the university’s Environmental Action Group (EAG) and volunteers from the women’s soccer team, went through the trash and pulled out the materials that could be recycled.  The sorted trash and recyclables were then put on display for students to see.

       James Wilkins, Furman’s environmental intern, said that approximately 40 percent of the material turned out to recyclable.

      “The idea was to provide a striking visual of the waste stream on campus and promote waste reduction and recycling and all of the benefits that go with it,” Wilkins said.  “Once we had separated the trash from the recyclables, the campus community got a better picture of what is being thrown away and what can be recycled.  And since it took place right in the front of the library, it was easy to get people’s attention.”

      The second annual “Get Trashed” event also gave EAG and Furman’s environmental programs a venue to answer questions about waste reduction and promote recycling.  Furman has been celebrating “The Year of the Environment” during the 2006-07 school year.

      For more information, contact Furman’s Office of Media and News Relations at 864-294-3107.

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