I would say it is a fairly safe assumption that given its quaint size, the State College area has an unusually high number of recyclable objects inside its boundaries.
Look into any apartment complex's dumpsters on a Monday morning -- if you're brave enough to stomach a smell putrid enough to put a frat basement on a Sunday morning to shame -- and you'll find a rather impressive and staggering amount of cans and assorted bottles overflowing the bins.
What I can't help wondering, however, is why all of this aluminum and glass is in the trash at all -- why aren't people putting these things in recycling bins, where they belong?
On campus, it's not hard to find the proper place to put your newspapers, white paper, green glass, clear glass, plastic bottles and cans.
That's not to say that I've never seen people throw away a water bottle in a trash can or think a Collegian is made of glass.
But at least the opportunity to do the right thing is there.
But downtown, and arguably where the majority of recyclable items are found, places to recycle are few and far between -- or so I thought.
After a quick call to the Centre County Recycling Centre, I found out that downtown apartment complexes are supposed to offer recycling to their tenants in or around their buildings.
But I can assure you that throughout my search of at least two complexes in my quest to properly dispose of water bottles, I found no such recycling options.
Still, even if the apartment complexes aren't complying, students are not without choices. Anyone living in College Township, Ferguson Township, Patton Township and the State College Borough has access to curb-side recycling, and each has a different day when residents can place their recycling in special bins in front of their homes to be picked up in the same manner as their trash.
On campus there are four locations beside the small bins in buildings -- Brumbaugh Hall, the Nittany Community Center, the Poultry Research facility and Stone Hall -- where students can find large bins specifically for recycling.
So here I sat all set to condemn State College for its lack of proper recycling centers, and I found out perhaps State College is not alone in the blame.
Maybe our apathy and laziness might have a little bit to do with it, too.
Now I'm not saying that I think it's easy to recycle around here, because I don't.
At home, all I need to do to recycle an empty soda can is take it to the bin in the garage. Here, I have to seek out a specialized location that may or may not be conveniently located, and even if I find one it may or may not be overflowing with things that are certainly not recyclable.
But think about it, how hard is it to put aside a bag specifically for items to be recycled?
Buy a small trash can or stick a plastic bag under the sink.
Every Sunday, you and your roommates can take a road trip to one of the recycling dumpsters or recycling centers around the area and dispose of said items.
Not only is this a fun-filled time of roommate bonding, but after the 10 minutes of work it will take, you'll be able to feel good about yourself.
Starting in preschool, we learned early and often that we've only got one planet.
We planted trees on Arbor Day, picked up trash on Earth Day and sang fun songs about recycling being cool.
OK, so maybe my school district was the only one that did that, but I assure you it was neat.
Taking the time to properly dispose of your weekend quota of Natty cans and Miller Light bottles may not seem like such a big deal, but Captain Planet sure would be proud, and so would I.
