SAN MARCOS, Texas — A group of 20 Texas State University students is teaming up with Nike and R3 Recycling for a three-week recycling campaign aiming to save landfill space and reduce electronic waste.
Under the theme, Recycle IT, the campaign will take aim at almost 6,000 San Marcos residents and various other targets.
Warner Pagel, a public relations senior, said students are working collaboratively in four teams and as one group in this effort. “The recent floods and general summer cleanup are good incentives for us in San Marcos to participate in this worthwhile effort,” Pagel said. “It’s also a great way to put campaigns lessons to work in such a positive manner.”
Malachi Delgado of R3 Recycling in San Marcos visited with the Texas State students about their efforts and fielded numerous questions in preparation for the campaign. “Electronic waste takes up only 2 percent of landfill space but accounts for 80 percent of landfill toxicity,” Delgado said. He added that his company recently completed a “materials drive” with Texas State University that collected 10 tons of e-waste.
Delgado said his company wipes disk drives clean of information, so recyclers should have no fear of compromising the security of their old systems.
“So far, everybody has been so pleased that we are doing this,” Delgado said. “We are making an impact of doing something good for the environment by reducing the e-waste from landfills in New Braunfels and Nederwald.”
The other half of the campaign involves gathering athletic shoes as part of Nike’s “Nike ReGrind” program. Shoes will be recycled in one of two ways. Some shoes will be available to students in the San Marcos Independent School District or will be used to make outdoor sports facilities.
The campaign teams are posting detailed information under Facebook page “
Recycle IT.” Facebook page. Events are being planned at the San Marcos Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20 and June 27; and Wake the Dead Coffee House. Drop-off locations are located throughout San Marcos, including Zelicks Ice House (1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 27), San Marvelous, Chimys (4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 23); and numerous apartment complexes throughout the city, including Bishop’s Square, Aspen Heights, University Heights II and Hillside Ranch.
Facebook at
Recycle IT for details. For more information call (512) 245-3479.