April 18, 2008
Recently hired student “Sustainability Coordinators” have
already made strides to reduce St. John’s University carbon
footprint by surveying the University’s three New York City
campuses for areas where recycling containers might best be
positioned to facilitate a more robust recycling program.
With the survey completed and recommendations made to St. John’s
administration, the go-ahead was given to place receptacles around
the Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan campuses.
Recently the Sustainability Coordinators prepared new recycling
containers for transport and placement in Queens campus buildings;
soon, identical containers will be distributed throughout the
Staten Island and Manhattan campuses as well.
The new recycle containers—to be used for recycling plastic and
glass drinking bottles, aluminum cans, and paper of all kinds—have
now been placed in convenient areas for students, faculty, staff
and administrators to access and are becoming a familiar sight in
Queens campus building corridors, office suites and event
spaces.
Next, the Office of Facilities Services will begin a
comprehensive campaign to ensure the recycling program reflects the
University’s Mission and values. They will be assisted by students,
faculty, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, and the
Office of Residence Life.
Remember: Your recycling efforts make a difference.
Did you know that:
- Recycling two aluminum cans saves the equivalent energy needed
to power a PC for one workday?
- Five plastic soda bottles are enough to make the fiberfill to
insulate one ski jacket?
- Recycling one glass jar saves the equivalent energy needed to
light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours?
- Every ton of paper recycled saves enough energy to heat and
air-condition the average American home for at least 6 months?
More Sustainability information will soon be published on a
Sustainability page of St. John’s Web site. The Office of
Facilities Services welcomes your questions, concerns and comments.
For more information, contact Tom Goldsmith, Director of Energy and
Environmental Conservation, Office of Facilities Services, ext.
8008, or goldsmit@stjohns.edu, or
look for a student in a shirt labeled “Sustainability
Coordinator.”
Be Responsible, Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. Now more than ever
before, achieving a sustainable future is everyone’s
responsibility.