To: URI Campus Community CC: Joannah Portman

To: URI Campus Community
CC: Joannah Portman-Daley
Subject: Be the Change you Wish to See in the World-
Dear URI Campus Community,
I am here today to address an ongoing issue that is interfering with the Kingston Emporium. This portion
of Kingston is not owned by the University of Rhode Island but is frequently used by the students who attend
the university. There are over twenty different businesses that reside in this small area and the neglected
accessibility of recycling units is detrimental to the reputation of the area. But what is most at stake is the
misunderstanding as to how important recycling is for our surrounding environments. The property owners of
the Kingston Emporium have decided to not provide the business owners with access to recycling. They claim
money is the issue, although a majority of the businesses each day are obligated to throw out all items even if
they are recyclable. Many of the businesses found in the Emporium are restaurants. Restaurants are known for
having some of the largest amounts of waste at the end of every day. All of which vary from plastic, paper, cans
and so much more. If only the businesses were assured the proper resources for recycling they would most
likely comply with the change of trash removal.
The current issue within the area is not only the inability to recycle but also the minute access to space in
the dumpsters when throwing trash away. If there were alternative dumpsters for recycling businesses would not
have to deal with the probability of the dumpsters being filled two days after trash removal. Trash ends up being
placed on the sides of dumpsters, animals in the area tear the bags apart and sooner than later the parking lots
are filled with loose debris. The campus and land around the emporium begin to appear unattractive and leave
visitors with a very poor picture of the area. Sadly, when trash removal arrives the workers very rarely will
remove the trash not placed in the dumpsters. This is a reoccurring problem. Over the course of working in the
Emporium for three years I have recognized the increase of wildlife residing in the dumpster area. I have also
noticed the decrease of healthy plant growth as well. Overtime the buildup of trash on the ground has began to
suffocate the surrounding environment. In some cases when the trash build up has gotten so bad there ends up
being no access to campus from the backside of the emporium. Not only has the inability to properly remove
trash clouded the judgment from on lookers but has also began to interfere with access to campus.
Many businesses owners and employees wonder why getting recycling units is such an issue and why the
property owners have neglected to provide the location with any. One would think since URI is such an
environmentally conscious school the emporium would want to keep up with the reputation. But sadly the
property owners have neglected to do so. Also, upon researching commercial trash removal I have come across
many different explanations on the prices differences. In many cases trash removal is charged by weight, in
some areas of South Kingstown recycling removal is free. If South Kingstown in all actuality does not charge
for recycling removal then the issue with the property owners resorts to pure laziness. But if that is not the case,
and if trash removal is expensive in itself according to weight, why not provide businesses with the opportunity
to recycle? It would not only decrease the weight of the individual dumpsters, but also magnify the importance
of recycling and our environment. The ability to sort trash out according to recyclable and non-recyclable items
will diminish the overflow of dumpsters, and also provide the current businesses the opportunity to contribute to
global environmental consciousness.
For all those who are affected by the Kingston Emporiums inability to recycle please voice your opinion.
It needs to be heard. Many are still unaware of the issue. But the business owners and employees live with it
every day of the week. How you feel is very important to the business owners in the Kingston Emporium.
Together we can make a difference. Please support our need to recycle.
Thank you, Dakota Bergstrom