The Facts:
WE Recycle and Wolfpack In The House provide recycling aids for tailgaters, but large amounts of trash and recyclable materials were still left strewn about after Saturday’s game.
Our Opinion:
Recycling is simple, even without the extra assistance provided by WE Recycle and WITH. Wolfpackers and fans alike should show some respect and clean up after themselves.
Thousand of people poured into the lots surrounding Carter-Finley Stadium to celebrate the football season opener. Fans brought grills and coolers full of hamburgers and drinks to aid in partying leading up to the game. That’s just fine, however tailgaters failed to grab their waste before they left.
As visitors drove away from Carter-Finley, they could see trash and recyclables strewn all over the ground in an embarrassing display of irresponsibility and borderline disrespect. Whether tailgaters are students or fans from elsewhere, they need to remember the event represents the University and failing to simply clean up after one’s own tailgate shows how little they respect the University. Although people go back the next day and clean up the mess, it does no make it okay to leave trash.
Tailgaters are spoon-fed ways to recycle. Bags are provided now and even more receptacles for recyclables are out in tailgating areas. They need to be more conscience of where these bins are and be proactive about disposing of their trash. Being drunk is not an excuse. There are ways tailgaters who know they will be drinking can prepare. Putting a bag out and making is easily accessible is not difficult.
WE Recycle and WITH worked hard this weekend to provide tailgaters with bags in which to separate and put their recyclables and trash in. Although the program is nice, tailgaters should not think it’s the only way to deal with the waste. It seems tailgaters still need to step up their game. Tailgaters are capable of separating and collecting their own trash and should know better. They have seen hundreds of programs promoting recycling and, really, how hard is it? It is the difference between putting a can in one bag instead of another. If elementary school kids can do it, so should college students and adults.
Recycling starts with an individual. Tailgaters consume beverages and the containers can easily be recycled and reused. They should also be warned it is illegal to throw away plastic bottles in North Carolina. But it shouldn’t be a matter of legality. It should be a simple choice of separation and responsibility.
