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Student Spotlight - Andrew Elizaga
FIVE MINUTES WITH STUDENT ANDREW ELIZAGA: HANDS-ON RECYCLER
 UH student Andrew Elizaga is all
about recycling. The second year
Philosophy graduate student is the
newest member of the UH recycling
team working on the collection and
sorting of the University’s
recyclables.
How did you find out about the
recycling collection student
position?
I'm part of the Environmental Club
and it was through an announcement
made that I found out about it.
What attracted you to apply for the
job?
It’s hands-on and environmentally
friendly. People talk about
recycling, but physically doing it
is different. You are actually here
seeing the reality of recycling on a
college campus.
What do you think about the
University's recycling and
sustainable efforts?
I’m pleased with the paper and
cardboard recycling program. And
there have been improvements in
aluminum and plastics with the
installation of the black outdoor
recycle bin across campus, but there
is still no glass recycling. As for
sustainability, some progress is
being made on energy efficiency
through the use of energy-efficient
light bulbs. The campus also has
improved food management in the
dining halls which contributes a
portion of its food waste to the
campus compost heap. Additionally,
the new produce garden planted in
Lynn Eusan Park is a great help in
reducing the campus’ carbon foot
print.
 Describe the work you are doing.
I pick up plastic, aluminum and card
board on campus, transport it to the
UH Recycling department, sort the
material and bale it. I also take
extra effort in picking up and
properly disposing of any materials
(paper, plastic, aluminum and other
metals) lying around unnoticed in
the area where I separate and bale.
How do you like it?
It's alright. The work is hands-on
but dirty and smelly sometimes. On a
positive note, I feel like I’m
making a difference to campus
recycling, since I go beyond my
position requirements in picking up
the relevant materials wherever and
whenever I find them.
Do you have a recycling message for
the campus?
One thing that stands out is that I
see some employees discarding items
in trash bins that can be recycled.
People need to be more aware of what
they are throwing away. People
shouldn’t throw trash in the recycle
bins. If they are unsure if what
they are disposing of is trash or
recyclable, they should see proper
information from our department.
For more information on the
University of Houston recycling
program,
click here.
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