 "Photo: Melissa Chadbourne")
The Student Government Association will decide on an eco-friendly move to replace the SGA Computer Lab's current printing paper with recycled paper in the coming weeks.
With thousands of students using the lab every semester-76,270 total visits in fall 2008-recycled paper would save trees, according to the SGA Computer Lab Web site.
During fall 2008, there were over 1 million sheets of paper used, which is about the equivalent of 23 trees.
Since spring 2005, about 8.5 million sheets of paper have been used, which amounts to about 168 trees.
Freshman music performance major Katherine Treml uses the lab and said she supports the plan, though she is skeptical about using recycled paper for print jobs that are required to look formal.
"It's a good idea because most of the people who print in the computer lab are printing small class assignments or personal things," she said.
The green idea was inspired by UCF students Chris Castro, Hank Harding and Taylor Roe. They serve as president, vice-president, and secretary, respectively, of a club called Ideas.
The club collaborates with the Sustainability Alliance to implement environmental plans. Castro said their mission is to unify the student body as a whole in an effort to create a more sustainable community.
"We started as a group of kids who have a commitment to a better environment," Castro said. "This club brings student involvement into the environment and is a product of our dedication."
According to Conservatree.com, recycled paper makes the most efficient use of resources. Recycled paper production saves trees, energy and water, produces less pollution and uses fewer and more benign chemicals, according to the Web site.
Kaila Nichols, an SGA senator, said the bill is still being processed. After being processed, it will go to the Senate and then to the Governmental Affairs Committee to vote on it. It could take up to eight weeks.
"This is an exciting and fresh idea and it has been put into the GAC goals," Nichols said.
Although there are blue recycling bins throughout the computer lab, it is not enough, said Angel Camacho, the lab's manager. Camacho said the students often don't even pick up what they print in the lab, which provides its printing services for free.
"This would be a big help because this new recycled paper would cut the number of trees used in half," Camacho said. "Although it is a bit more expensive, it can benefit everyone."
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