Transitioning from recycling in the dorms to recycling in the apartments can be tough, especially when students lack the added convenience of placing recyclables in dorm lobbies.

St. Edward’s University has recycled thousands of pounds since July, said Physical Plant Director Michael Peterson.

“I’m waiting on five more invoices, but since July 1, we’ve recycled over 40,200 pounds,” Peterson said.

St. Edward’s hires three firms to pick up the recycled materials: Balcones, Austin Task and Tri-Recycling.

Around the Maryhill and the Hilltopper Heights apartments, there are four trash dumpsters and two recycling dumpsters where cardboard, paper, plastics and aluminum can all be recycled.

Peterson encouraged students to help with recycling by disposing properly of materials.

“Too often recycling is contaminated by food and must be disposed of as trash,” Peterson said. “Please place only trash in the waste receptacles and empty drink containers (fully drink product or pour remaining down the sink or a drinking fountain) before placing in a recycling container.”

Peterson also advises students to use the proper baskets when recycling in the on-campus wastebaskets.

“Use the recycling containers on campus for the proper products: Blue recycling wastebaskets are for paper and cardboard; green recycling wastebaskets and large blue soda can containers are for aluminum and plastic,” he said.

Junior Judith Velazquez, a student apartment resident, is concerned about what is actually being recycled.

“Split them up–one for paper, one for bottles and so on,” Velazquez said. “It is so much easier than throwing everything in and not knowing if it is really being recycled or being thrown in the trash.”

Students in the on-campus apartments said they recycle either daily, weekly or monthly.

“I drink lots of water so I always have lots of empty plastic water bottle containers in my backpack,” junior Gina Ruby Nuñez said. “[I recycle] like every day. Sometimes I save them at the apartment in a box and take them to the laundry room and dispose of them there.”

Some students are struggling to fit recycling into their schedules.

“I recycle every once in a while, when I have time. Since the recycling bins are in the clubhouse, it’s hard to make time to go down there unless I’m doing laundry, but I do recycle bottles,” junior Flor Rivera said. “And I’ll do it about once a month; I’ll take what I have to a recycling bin.”

Other students have a plan that works with the campus resources.

“I recycle every Sunday,” junior Joseph Saldaña said. “I take all my cans and boxes and plastic out to the recycle trash can that’s outside my apartment.”