Initiative is the name of the game when it comes to setting trends, particularly in recycling programs.
This was exemplified by the remarkable results of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity’s head chef, Meg Miller, taking leadership in the world of Greek recycling. The leadership displayed by this woman has made DKE a benchmark for other Greek organization’s recycling efforts.
Though there is a Greek Recycling Intern position, it is only one person. There are still opportunities for more initiatives similar to Miller’s — ones originating within fraternity houses or even guided by the IFC — that would result in increased margins of recycling and decreased waste at all participating houses.
One successful example of Greek recycling is found at the University of Michigan. The school’s Greek Life Sustainability Team started a program named Trust for Cups. The organization partners with individual fraternity houses and offers discounted red solo cups — a longtime hallmark of American fraternity parties — in exchange for meeting certain quotas of recycled products and decreased waste.
Other programs, such as those found at Purdue University and the University of Virginia, are established within the domain of the universities’ Greek councils, yet operate independently from the overarching councils. Both programs individually partner with houses, providing knowledge and necessary resources, such as large, easy accessible and movable bins.
UNC’s Greek houses are missing countless opportunities for recycling every day. Whether it be through an incentive-based program, such as Michigan’s Trust for Cups, or an individual partnership type program, such as those at UVa. and Purdue, the IFC should continue to explore ways to improve Greek houses recycling quotas.
