UCLA lacks earth-conscious programs

Published: Thursday, October 30, 1997

Thursday, October 30, 1997

ENVIRONMENT: Campus neglects to improve trash removal, influx of cars

By Andrew Jon Westall

Let me tell you what I think are the two biggest environmental problems on campus ... recycling and transportation. In comparison to my undergraduate campus, UC Davis, and others that have come to my attention, this campus is reactive and draconian in these two areas. Let me tell you of my experiences in these two areas, and then I'll provide some solutions that UCLA should and could, if it is willing to, implement.

When I first came to campus in the fall of 1996, I was shocked at the lack of visible recycling containers at UCLA. You might have a newspaper trash can here and there, but for the most part there was nothing but normal trash cans. In the dormitories, they have one receptacle on the floor in which you can put everything; newspaper, glass and plastic, and apparently they separate it all at the end site.

And what about ASUCLA? From what I've been told, they used to have a program but it was too complicated for students. Too complicated? How can recycling be too complicated?

At UC Davis we had a very simple system. For every trash can, there were really four trash cans. One for newspaper, one for good ol' trash, one for glass, and one for aluminum. The openings to the containers were configured so that there was no confusion as to what went where. People used the system and felt good about the fact that the campus, a University of California campus, was environmentally friendly.

Why can't we do just that?

So here's the situation at UCLA. There are three main areas where trash is collected: ASUCLA facilities, Facilities Management (on-campus buildings), and On-Campus Housing Maintenance. From what I have been told, all three of these areas contract with the same company to collect trash. Apparently, we are told that this company separates the trash at the end site.

Why? Because it's cheaper, it's more cost effective. I don't believe it!

I challenge the administration and the student leadership to sit down and take a look at these contracts. Then go down to this company with the Daily Bruin and let's do a tour of their facility.

Not only are these administration-oriented statements deflecting the issue, but how do we teach students to care more about the environment if it's not there, right in their face? I will always think more deeply about the environment due to my experience at UC Davis, and it is my hope that every student at UCLA can do the same.

Although I cannot compare UC Davis' transportation to UCLA or even Los Angeles for that matter, I would like to take the time to address parking.

Parking is the No. 1 problem at UCLA. The Bruin knows it (Oct. 15 editorial), the dean of students knows it, you know it ... even Parking and Transportation Services knows it. There are over 3500 students currently on the waiting list for a permit.

While the demand for parking for faculty and staff, which is guaranteed, I might add, has been increasing, so has the student population and student demand for parking. In the foreseeable future, however, there will be no increases in parking availability. Even with the addition of the new structures, this is a zero-sum game because of the demolition of Parking Structure 14.

While I must commend Parking and Transportation Services director Mark Stocki on the best vanpool and carpool system in Southern California, I do not believe that his office has seriously considered the pollution, congestion and attitudinal problem that has been created.

Not only is this hurting our environment by pumping emissions into the air, but even more damaged is our environment. People are pissed off. It is impossible to drive on the Westside in the morning or late afternoon, and you can't walk either. The commute is just too far when you live five or six miles from campus.

Interaction is difficult when you're always mad that you couldn't even get a permit for Lot 32 at 9:30 in the morning.

The solution ... the BruinCard as a universal bus pass for all students.

There are 16 lines that come to UCLA from three main companies: the MTA, the Culver City Bus and the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. If UCLA negotiated with these three lines to provide free rides for every student on campus, we would relieve pollution, traffic congestion, the "parking" problem, and more importantly, people's anger.

Do you think students would even be willing to pay $1, maybe $2.50 for this service? I think so.