Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : College Gets High Marks for Efforts in Recycling

LANCASTER — There are seven large trash bins behind the cafeteria at Antelope Valley College, but they are not filled with food scraps or other waste.

Instead, all but one are full of crushed aluminum cans, glass, cardboard and other recyclable materials. And in offices throughout the college, there are small bins tucked under desks and lining hallways for the recycling of white and colored paper.

The 9,800-student community college, in conjunction with the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and the city of Lancaster, in February began a recycling project that is keeping--among other things--thousands of pounds of office paper out of local landfills.

“If there’s anybody you’d like to see set an example it’s the college,” said school President Allan Kurki.

College officials said the recycling program has reduced the campus’ trash bill for the cafeteria and bookstore alone from $8,000 per year to just $4,200.

“We’re very happy to save money,” said Larry Ruddell, AVC’s auxiliary services director. The college Tuesday received a commendation from Lancaster for its recycling efforts.

“We have to educate the public today on recycling because the landfills are getting filled up,” said Mayor Arnie Rodio.

Lancaster has taken steps on several fronts to meet the requirements of a state law that says municipalities must reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfills by 50% by the year 2000.

A compost demonstration site is being set up at the college, and Ray Olson, Lancaster recycling coordinator, said the city is also working with several teachers on the issue of recycling.

Besides the college programs, Lancaster is working with business and industry to encourage the private sector to recycle, said Olson. Most recently the city decided that it would provide window stickers to any business that recycles, identifying them as such.