Recycling is thriving and successful at Southern Arkansas University, and the University just made it even easier for the Magnolia community to be part of it.
A new recycling trailer, branded with both Southern Arkansas University and Abilities Unlimited, has been installed along Main Street across from Burger King, providing a convenient location for residents to recycle while supporting meaningful employment opportunities for clients of Abilities Unlimited.
The trailer accepts:
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Aluminum cans
- Plastics
Glass, Styrofoam and containers still holding food or liquid are not accepted.
Every can, bottle and cardboard box dropped off does more than protect the environment, it also helps fund real job opportunities for the individuals Abilities Unlimited serves, turning a quick errand into a small act of community investment.
The trailer became a reality through a grant written by Katie Tejeda and rolled out as part of SAU’s growing campus sustainability push, led by Kathy Gean, director of SAU+AmeriCorps VISTA and Service Learning.
The new recycling trailer joins the University’s first, which features SAU’s very own Molly Ann and is already stationed in the Reynolds Center parking lot. Together, they give campus and community two convenient drop-off points for recycling.
SAU’s recycling initiative has continued to grow over the past year. Office recycling began last fall, and residence hall recycling will launch in August, providing students with additional opportunities to participate in campus sustainability efforts. The SAU Saddle Up and Serve program, an AmeriCorps program administered through Engage Arkansas, directed by Megan McAllister, provides members who support campus recycling efforts by managing recycling collection sites, conducting event recycling, and facilitating the collection and transport of recyclable materials for pickup
Since the program began, 9,382 pounds of recyclable materials have been diverted from local landfills, demonstrating the positive impact that can be achieved through partnerships between the University, local organizations, and community members.
“Every item recycled makes a difference,” Gean said. “This partnership allows us to care for our environment while also supporting meaningful employment opportunities through Abilities Unlimited. We encourage everyone in our community to take advantage of this convenient new location and help us continue building a more sustainable Magnolia.”
By choosing to recycle, residents are investing in both environmental stewardship and the success of a community partnership that benefits people and the planet alike.
About SAU:
Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees across four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to meet the needs of today’s career and professional trends. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
