On "Move Out Day" at Luther College, recycling is a lot easier

Will "dumpster diving" at Luther College become a thing of the past?  That's the goal of a partnership between Luther College, Winneshiek County Recycling and the Iowa DNR.

The state has awarded a "Solid Waste Alternative" program grant to the college to buy seven recycling bins.  Luther College has contributed $20,000 towards the cost of the binds.  Winneshiek County Recycling has delivered the bins and will maintain them.

Center for Sustainable Communities Assistant Director Stratis Giannakouros wrote the grant, which led to recycling bins being placed by Brandt, Olson, Farwell, Ylvisaker and the Towers dormitories.

Recycling Director Terry Buenzow says he preaches to Luther College students that they own the landfill and the recycling center, too, so it's in their interest to recycle.  But, says Buenzow, "We have to provide the means."

That's where the idea of placing recycling bins right next to dormitories originated--and Buenzow says he thinks Luther, the DNR and the Recycling Center "hit a home run on this one."

So as Luther students leave their dorm rooms this weekend, there will be recycling bins right next to garbage bins, making it very easy for the students to recycle.