Recycling inconvenient for Courtyards residents

The University Courtyards apartments do not have a recycling program. This means that all the waste — from beer cans to pizza boxes — produced by students living there goes into the trash and then directly into landfills.

 

Without a proper program in place, many students say they feel it is an inconvenience for them to go out of their way to properly dispose of their recyclables. Those who do want to recycle must haul the waste to the closest drop-off center, which is near Lovett Avenue.

Senior Dave Cavagnino is a resident of the Courtyards who recycles every week.

Cavagnino says he is sure more students would partake in recycling if a suitable system was put in place. He explained how he puts his cans in a bin and drives over to Lovett Avenue.

"It takes a few minutes so it is a bit inconvenient," he says.

Junior Kiersten Jones, another Courtyards resident, also says she feels certain that an appropriate program would boost recycling.

"I haven't seen a lot of other people doing it, but there are definitely people who want to recycle and would if it was more convenient," Jones says.

Liz Wright, a sophomore, is one Courtyards resident who says she feels too inconvenienced to recycle.

"I would try if it was made easier by the Courtyards, but right now it's just too inconvenient," Wright says.            

Wright also says the regular trash disposal was already awkward to reach, and believes the Courtyards needs to look into their overall waste disposal plan.

University Courtyards property manager Christina Concilil says the Courtyards had inquired with the Delaware Solid Waste Authority about recycling a few years ago, but was unable to follow through with the plan due to structural limitations.

"It was difficult for us to find an area that met all of those constraints," Concilil says.

Concilil also says that the restraints included specific distances from power lines and a specific amount of space for the waste truck to park in.

The DWSA website says, "Together, we've made voluntary recycling a success story in Delaware.  Both DSWA's Recycling Drop-Off Centers and Curbside Recycling Programs can be utilized statewide by all Delaware Residents."

"In the past, we have had a few programs where for maybe a week or so we encourage student recycling," said Concilil.

Although there are no permanent recycling programs at the Courtyards at this time, such programs may be implemented in the future. Although Concilil could not provide details, she says the University Courtyards has been and will continue to research other options and services for recycling.

"It is something we're looking into," said Concilil.