Putting litter in its place

Coun. Sheila Fougere, Dalhousie President Tom Traves, the Dal Tiger and Coun. Sue Uteck unveil a new trash can outside the Killam Library. (Danny Abriel photo)

Dalhousie University President Tom Traves has attended his share of ribbon-cuttings and grand openings — but the official unveiling of a litter bin is a first.

Dr. Traves, Halifax councillors Sheila Fougere and Sue Uteck and the Dalhousie Tiger were on hand to lift the lid on a new waste receptacle — one of 15 new wrought-iron receptacles for the campus.

The garbage cans will be placed along the perimeter of Dal’s Studley campus, on Coburg Road, Oxford, South and Robie streets. They’ll also be positioned in litter “hot spots” — near the Marion McCain Building and the Dentistry Building.
 
At Dalhousie University Community Committee (DUCC) planning sessions held in March, curbing litter was identified as a top priority. So, DUCC members sat down with Halifax Regional Municipality officials to find a solution.

Under the program, HRM gives Dal permission to put the bins on the sidewalks and Dal agrees to empty the bins for the city.

Dr. Traves pointed out that looking after the environment, and cleaning up our own yard, is becoming important. He spoke about driving down Coburg Road earlier in the day and not seeing any garbage cans. Yet, there are many fast food outlets, coffee shops, restaurants and variety stores in the area that generate huge amounts of solid waste that are carried from those outlets to areas around the universities by students, faculty, staff and visitors.
 
“We have to recognize as a university we generate a great deal of solid waste,” said Dr. Traves. Our neighbours have certainly pointed this out to us and it is time to acknowledge this fact.”

Litter is a big issue in the neighbourhood — Coun. Uteck says she receives almost as many calls about litter and improperly placed garbage in the fall as she does about student noise. She welcomed Dalhousie’s contribution and participation as a partner in finding a solution to the litter challenge.

The Dalhousie Tiger had the honor of tossing the first piece of litter – a Styrofoam cup – in the new bin.