Recycle. Recycle. Recycle now. There’s nothing to it if you just know how.” Unfortunately, this hit elementary school rap is not very applicable to the WSU community.

According to news released earlier this year in The Daily Evergreen, WSU is second overall in recycling for the Pac-10. I shudder to think what the other universities that finished under WSU have for recycling capabilities. In another report, WSU received a C grade in sustainability, also failing two graded areas, showing there is still room for improvement at the university.

WSU has many available recycling containers on campus, and makes conscious efforts to reduce pollution with recyclable paper and compost efforts at the dining halls. However, the community of Pullman, as a part of the WSU campus, is severely behind in recycling efforts. Recently, I have noticed a lack of recycling containers at local restaurants. The past few places I’ve patronized have not had recycling containers for anything. When asked, the clerks usually say something like they “used to have a container, but do not have one anymore,” or simply say that they have never had recycling bins.

However, the city provides readily accessible recycling services. Pullman Disposal Service offers business recycling programs by providing receptacles and scheduled pick-ups. These services should be required for all businesses to have available for their customers. Environmental responsibility should be required by restaurants, because mere suggestions are not showing enough of an improvement for the environment. On campus, there are many recycling bins and garbage cans, but people usually ignore the bins and throw their recyclables in the trash with everything else. It really is not hard to remove the cap on your plastic bottle and go the extra foot to place the container in the proper recycling bin. Also, by some garbage cans there are no recycling bins. To encourage students, faculty and staff to recycle, WSU should place reminders on the trash cans instructing people where they can find the nearest recycling receptacles. According to the WSU Recycling Waste Wise program Web site, the program was implemented to create recycling awareness and availability. Included in this campaign is the movement to reward students who use reusable beverage containers at certain campus locations. But not all on-campus locations are taking the responsibility to participate. The Bookie, a popular coffee spot, does not provide any incentive for reusable mugs, not even attempting to promote the necessity of waste reduction. Environmentally conscious services are available throughout the area, but WSU and the Pullman community are failing by not using them. Recycling is more important than ever. Not only does it reduce waste, it’s economical.

Everyone just needs to stop being lazy. Be aware of the amount of waste you create and how to properly dispose of it. Make the extra effort to help the Earth.