G arbage is not so easy to trash at Harvard Medical School. In an effort to improve recycling at the academic buildings and Vanderbilt Hall, administrators and students have forged an innovative plan to expand recycling availability. The new plan will affect primarily Vanderbilt Hall. Presently, recycling bins are located only in the courtyard and are emptied monthly.
Students are responsible for bringing all recyclables to the central location.
While the final details of the new plan will be announced on Feb. 29, recycling bins will definitely be available in all kitchens and on all floors of Vanderbilt Hall, said Jane Garfield, director of campus services. Under the new plan, recycling will include commingled glass, bottles, jars, plastics, cans and metal in addition to bins for mixed paper. Housekeeping staff will be responsible for transporting the recyclables to a central location for removal. Particularly concerned about improving recycling at Vanderbilt Hall, Uchida, Truong and Reeves circulated a petition among HMS students, which they then sent to school administrators. Their two goals were to make recycling available on every floor of Vanderbilt Hall and to expand current recycling capacity to include glossy paper, glass, and plastic.