Willamette University

Sustainability at Willamette

Willamette’s Footprint: Profiles

Skylar Swinford: Putting Education to Use

Skylar Swinford Skylar Tecumseh Swinford is a junior environmental science major at Willamette University. Swinford is the recycle representative for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. When he first was elected to this position he found that basically no recycling was being done at the fraternity house. This displeased Swinford and he contacted the school to see what resources he had at his disposal to change the situation. “They were very cooperative” Swinford said and they provided the fraternity with several large barrels. At first he had problems with people throwing garbage in the recycling bins. Swinford remedied this by labeling the barrels with large letters.

He sees many ways to expand the recycling project into the future. Right now there is only one bin for cardboard and other paper products, with much of the trash generated in the fraternity being paper that could be recycled. The addition of more bins is necessary.

Swinford also wants to work with the school to make the bins more accessible. Right now fire codes prevent anything from being placed in the hallways directly outside the doors of everyone’s rooms. He believes that if the bins were allowed in more accessible places that the occupants would be more inclined to recycle. Swinford is excited to continue to work on this project and help our campus reduce its waste and its ecological footprint.