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Greening Student Neighborhoods
Green Teams' Target Improves Recycling
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Green Teams, a joint project of CU Recycling and Recycle Boulder, increases the quality and quantity
of student recycling off-campus. CJ Orr, Green Teams coordinator, explains that, "The Green Teams
are committed to seeing recycling done properly and increasing participation from our fellow students
on the Hill." In the past three years, nearly 400 houses were visited and provided with information
on how to improve their in-home recycling efforts.
Every Wednesday on the Hill, the Recycle Boulder program picks up household recyclables from curbside
bins. Since the rejection of bins due to improper recycling is not uncommon, the Green Teams' role is
to educate tenants on the Hill about what is and is not recyclable. Mistakes can be as simple as
neglecting to remove the plastic bags from newspapers, placing inappropriate materials in bins, or
using improper recycling containers like bags and cardboard boxes.
The Green Teams make a positive impact on the community as they familiarize tenants with proper
recycling policies in Boulder. Kara Dinhoffer, the City of Boulder's Recycling Coordinator, supports
this approach. "We are very excited about our relationship with CU Recycling's Green Teams. This student-run
operation has significantly helped educate tenants living in the Hill area about curbside recycling. We are
very proud to report that approximately 90 percent of the households the Green Teams visited now recycle
correctly and do not have rejected bins." Program organizers hope that students will continue to use the
information provided to them when they move out of the Hill area and help Recycle Boulder succeed in
creating a more educated community.
To get involved with the Green Teams, learn more about upcoming events, and help clean up student
neighborhoods in Boulder, call 303-492-8307, e-mail cure@colorado.edu, or come by UMC 331 Tuesdays
and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
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