To clear up any confusion caused by the University's recent recycling program flier: Newsprint, glass and plastic ARE still recyclable. The change is that the University will no longer do it for you.

Separating the mixed recyclables became too costly, said Centre County Recycling Coordinator Joanne Shafer.

But the environment demands priority over budgets.

Last year the University collected 200 tons of newspaper, 125 tons of glass, and four tons of plastic. Next year, the same unnecessary trash will overflow landfills.

The University, which produces about 1,000 tons of separated materials annually, had the option to pre-separate its recyclables or pay the Centre County Solid Waste Authority to do it. It did neither.

Instead University administrators claim handling and labor costs were too high to continue recycling all materials.

Although the University will not recycle the discontinued items, students are already used to separating newspapers, glass and plastic -- and should not stop.

With a little effort and organization, the University could recycle the discontinued items --there are ways to make it work without canning the program.

Most downtown apartments are still recycling the items. In dorms, one student per floor should check and separate the recyclable materials.

The University currently recycles white and computer paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, bi-metal and steel cans through the authority.

Although no one can prevent the deterioration of the environment, recycling can greatly reduce the amount of damage.

What we need now is action --students and faculty need to be more careful about what they recycle.

Through diligence we can prevent our planet from deteriorating further.

It is now up to individuals to take the extra effort to recycle.