0
0
By Jennifer Sandy
Litter bugs (Edward Diaz / Asst. Photo Editor )
By Jennifer Sandy
The littering at Riverside City College is becoming a growing problem.
Trash crowds the corners of the parking lots, elevators, stairwells, and often finds its way into the classroom themselves, despite the numerous trash receptacles RCC has available.
There is at least one trash bin in every classroom on campus, and multiple in and around areas where students spend time in between classes such as the quad and cafeteria.
However, according to RCC campus police, there are not currently any trash bins in the parking lots due to lack of sufficient funds.
“There isn’t any fine in place for campus littering,” said Officer Anderson of the RCC police department. “There is one for smoking, but not for littering. There would have to be a board decision in order to put one in place.”
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there is a statewide fine for anyone caught disposing of waste in an improper manner. Depending on the number of offenses and the seriousness of the misdemeanor, the fine may range anywhere from $100 to $1000, and a California court may order the violator to pick up litter or clean graffiti for no less than 24 hours.
The litter on campus has become a source of concern for some students.
“I just think it makes our campus look ugly,” Thomas Krane said. “I think it would be a good idea for someone to organize a clean up effort.”
“I understand that the litter makes the campus look bad,” Veronica Torres said. “Which is why I don’t do it. But I don’t think a clean up effort would catch on. People are too busy.”
Torres says with all students are expected to do today such as, study, work, and take care of their children; a clean up effort, while a good idea, is unrealistic.
The campus cleanliness is left to RCC’s custodial staff, which is responsible for keeping the college grounds presentable and litter-free.
Attempts to contact RCC’s custodial staff for comment were made but all phone calls were left unreturned.
In the campus’s effort to go green by the Sustainability club, four stainless steel recycling bins were placed around the college last semester in the hope that students would be prompted to recycle their empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans, instead of simply throwing them away.
A clean up effort is in the works by the student government environmental committee on April 22 at 9:30 a.m. behind the cafeteria on the Aguilar patio.
“I love the fact that the campus is making an effort to help the environment,” Jessica Donelli said.
Some students have been less than supportive of the effort.
“Sometimes it’s just more convenient to throw away my soda in a trash can, or leave it sitting on a bench or something,” an anonymous student said. “There isn’t always a trash can or a recycling place around.”