My Opinion
Recycling, not eliminating, will solve insert problem

I'm sure many of you are tired of hearing about inserts and looking at the mess all over the floor in Willard Building and the HUB. Quite frankly, so am I. But, unfortunately, a lot of misinformed people are continuing to make an issue of what really is pretty simple: PEOPLE ARE NOT DISPOSING OF INSERTS PROPERLY.

The reason for this column is to clear up some misconceptions about inserts and to address the real issue: PEOPLE NEED TO STOP BEING SLOBS AND LEARN HOW TO RECYCLE.

I'll start with the misconceptions:

Inserts are a waste of paper and are ruining the environment.

Think about it: If inserts were not effective and destroyed the environment, do you think advertisers would waste time, money and paper to produce them and do you think we would include them in the Collegian? Sure, we make money off of them, I won't deny that, but that is not the sole reason we run inserts. There are simple economic issues involved here, but for those of you who haven't taken or passed Economics 2 or 4, I'll explain. Pizza Hut places an insert. Ten thousand thoughtless slobs litter all over campus, creating the mess. Nine thousand people take the coupons home. Of those 9,000, only 500 of them use a coupon from the insert. That means that Pizza Hut ran a successful insert. It cost Pizza Hut about $1,400 to place the insert with us. Five hundred people use the insert, spend $10 and bring Pizza Hut $5,000.

Inserts are cost effective, not only for the advertiser, but for you as well. If you took the time to look at the inserts, you would find valuable coupons for Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and Subway, get great deals at Wal-Mart, cool posters and a sample of CK One.

As far as the environmental issue is concerned, there really isn't one (at least there shouldn't be). Advertisers grow and harvest trees and fibers specifically for paper production. It is just like a farmer growing and harvesting crops. They are not going out and cutting down trees out of the forest. Penn State is not the only group of people to address the issue of the environment. The companies are well aware of this issue and they are doing everything possible to contribute. It is not an environmental issue with the Collegian. It is an environmental issue with the companies. Call them and ask about their policies. I'm sure you'll be surprised at their efforts.

The Collegian is at fault for the mess.

That is simply not true. How can you blame the Collegian? We do all we can to secure the insert in the paper as much as possible so that is does not fall out. Once someone picks up a Collegian, it is that person's responsibility. I'm sure you've seen people (if you don't do it yourself) pick up the paper and shake it, watching the insert fall on the floor right beside the recycling bins. That is where the environmental issue comes into play. If you don't recycle properly, sure the material is going to have an impact on the landfills.

How difficult is it to shake the paper over the bin? Why don't you take a little bit of initiative and throw it away or recycle the insert if it doesn't interest you? I've witnessed firsthand the immaturity and lack of responsibility that some students at this University have, but University buildings are public property. If you want to be a slob and throw your garbage all over your dorm room or apartment, go ahead, but don't do it where it affects others.

I spoke to someone the other day who was very angry about the insert mess. He told me that it was the Collegian's fault because we put the inserts in the paper in the first place. Think about it this way. Should we stop printing coupons for free tacos at Taco Bell or stop accepting advertising for Vineyard Pilgrim playing at the Crowbar if everyone doesn't like it? Get real.

If you aren't interested in the product or service that the insert is advertising, just dispose of it properly, don't throw it on the floor. It is your choice. We are not going to stop including inserts in our paper, just as we are not going to stop screening the other material that goes in our paper because somebody might not be interested. Remember the old saying: You can't please all of the people all of the time. You make decisions everyday. This really is a simple decision. Pick up the paper. If you don't like the insert, recycle it, don't throw it on the floor. Please stop blaming the wrong people. Blame those who throw the inserts on the floor. It is up to you.