by Beth Gray

Jess Radlich, Media & Web Design Specialist, who helped design and create the communications posted around campus, helps hang a paper recycling poster in one of the university’s administration buildings

American Public University System (APUS) has had a recycling program on its Charles Town, West Virginia campus since September 2008.  The university has recently “upgraded” the program, however, to increase paper recycling on that campus.  While this is noteworthy in itself, what is more impressive is the way in which the university undertook the initiative.  Staff on the Charles Town campus began to express observations that there was a downfall in the paper recycling program; specifically, it was difficult to recycle large volumes of paper or large paper products like boxes and cardboard.  Additionally, staff expressed confusion about what could be recycled in which containers around campus.  The university employed the expertise of several groups to ensure not only that the campus was recycling as much as possible, but also that staff were well informed of how to help make that happen.  Facilities staff undertook the initiative to provide additional paper recycling bins in each of the campuses buildings, placing them in common areas to help make paper recycling more convenient for staff.  The Sustainability Committee worked with members of the Instructional Design team to create eye-catching posters which were posted above every recycling bin on campus to remind staff which items can be placed in each bin.  Reaching across campus to organize and execute the effort created an opportunity to increase knowledge of and participation in sustainability efforts on campus.  Communications with staff have helped inform them of the updated recycling program in order to help make the process more “user friendly” and the university expects to see an increase in participation in the recycling program as a result.

by Ashley Adams

On June 13, 25 people made up of Charles Town, WV residents, including Mayor Peggy Smith, and American Public University Systems (APUS) employees came together to participate in a town-wide cleanup. The group divided up and walked the 42 square blocks resulting in 16 bags of gathered trash. The City of Charles Town and APUS partnered to make this a success and hope to continue Community Cleanup events in the future.  It is the goal of this partnership that these kinds of events will lead into recycling and other citywide green programs.