By Marley Malenfant/feature editor

Apparently TCC didn’t stack enough paper, plastic and aluminum.

TCC recently participated in RecycleMania, a national collegiate competition to see who collects the largest amount of paper, cardboard and bottles per capita in 10 weeks. Out of 630 college participants, TCC finished 347th with 1.21 pounds per person.

This is TCC’s second year competing in RecycleMania.

SE student development coordinator Ruben Najera said he’d like to see TCC improve in next year’s competition. The results from RecycleMania will push TCC to improve next year, he said.

“At least it gets the word out because that’s the No. 1 thing,” he said. “When you’re part of something that’s bigger than yourself, students go, ‘Oh, there’s nothing I can do. It’s just me.’”

NE student Michelle Hammond said she doesn’t recycle much.

“I don’t recycle at home,” she said. “If there is recycling bins around here, I’ll do it at school.”

SE student Carrie Mathews said recycling isn’t her first concern.

“I do, but not as often as I should,” she said. “I don’t do it at home. If I’m drinking a soda, I’ll look for the can recycling bin.”

South student Julie Karla said recycling never crosses her mind.

“I hardly ever do it,” she said.

Najera said TCC needs to improve on awareness.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel. We already have the system set up,” he said. “We’ve got recycle bins. We’ve got big ones. We also have a good relationship with recycling companies.”

He said TCC should say, “OK, we need to get the word out and just put it in the box.”

SE student James Knight said most students don’t take recycling seriously.

“A lot of people don’t recycle at home,” he said. “You have to think that it starts at home. And if they’re not going to make an effort there, then they’re not going to make an effort here.”

Najera said students need to practice better recycling habits.

“It’s not in their head,” he said. “You wouldn’t throw a car battery away. You wouldn’t dump your oil out. You obviously know not to litter. It’s just that awareness that needs to be spread. Plastic, paper, cardboard and aluminum — you don’t have to throw them away, recycle them.”

TR student John Williams believes recycling is important.

“I try to make sure I do it every day whether I’m here or at home,” he said.