Students Sort Trash

Garbed in goggles, plastic aprons and purple plastic gloves, eight students on the Recycling Committee sorted through the University's waste yesterday to figure out just how well Harvard is recycling its trash.

Opening garbage bags taken from first-year dorms, libraries, upper-class houses and several administration buildings, the committee separated the trash into three categories: cardboard, paper and containers.

The group, a subcommittee of the Environmental Action Committee and an affiliate of Phillips Brooks House, wants to find out how much of the trash being thrown away is recyclable.

The students are working with the University and being paid for their work by the University Operation Services.

"We've had the data on what was being recycled and the number of trash bags being thrown away," said Rob Gogan, Waste Manager for the Operation Services, who was directing the effort. "But we've never analyzed what's in the trash."

The group was disappointed with what they found.

"Right now, by volume, about half of what's being thrown away could be recycled. When we're done with the weighing, the figure will be more accurate," Gogan said.

The trash was weighed to calculate what percent of the waste is recyclable in terms of weight, giving a more precise figure than if only the volume of trash was considered.

The committee worked yesterday afternoon on tables in front of the Science Center, taking advantage of the clear weather.

"We've been remarkably efficient and clean," said Kunal K. Merchant '01, co-captain of the committee.

The results of the committee's work will be discussed at the New England Regional College and University Recycling Council to be held in March at Northeastern University.

"We're also checking what amongst the trash is compostable. For two years we had a compost program," said Gogan. "We were taking food waste out of Annenburg, Loker and Adam's house kitchen. Thompson Disposal had a truck we used...but the truck was stolen in early September."

According to Peter D. Platt, '00, a Winthrop House resident and co-captain of the committee, there are about 17 members of the committee.

"Harvard could improve its recycling," Platt said. "It's important because if Harvard is a trendsetter, an elite institution, having good recycling here...would have positive repercussions elsewhere. Our programs could be used as a model."