Ask Mr. Answer Person: Why doesn't NICC have a recycling plan?

A decorahnews.com reader e-mails: Since Decorah and Luther College are "green," why hasn't NICC at Calmar done the same thing?  It is our understanding NICC has no recycling plan and has no interest in having one.  Perhaps you could ask the President of NICC why she offers no recycling at the college.

Mr. Answer Person says: We did contact NICC President Penny Wills, who told us: "NICC does extensive paper recycling on our Calmar Campus.  This includes office paper, scrap paper, and cardboard.  We do not presently have a formal recyling program for our materials related to food service as we have a temporary food service program due to our major campus construction projects.  We have also requested that all building construction firms recycle all scrap materials."
 
Mr. Answer Person also contacted NICC Calmar Provost Dr. Liang Chee Wee, who added, "We have containers throughout campus for collecting cans and bottles for recycling.  This week, our collection will go toward the Cans for Children's Cancer Camp project.  Our colleagues are encouraged to participate in this worthy project.
 
"The mulch used on our campus comes from dead vegetation collected from our property.
 
"On May 7th & 8th, we are partnering with Midwest Electronic Recovery of Walford, Iowa to collect electronic devices for recycling.  This opportunity is open to all surrounding communities.  MER will de-manufacture the devices collected to avoid people dumping them in landfills here or abroad.  The materials recovered are recycled for other uses.

"We believe the larger picture is conservation.  NICC, our architects, and the construction firm are working with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to see how we can take advantage of our renovation and construction projects to be better steward of our environment."

Hope this answers your question.  Thanks to Penny Wills and Dr. Wee for responding.