Carroll students want city to pile on the recycled goods.

When Students Against Violating the Environment at Carroll College unveil their new flatbed truck today, courtesy of the drama department, recycling in Helena may get a bit easier.

"It's a symbol of what we're willing to do," said Carroll senior Matt Elsaesser, vice president of the student body. "We want to do the best we can to reduce waste. It makes sense ecologically and economically."

Elsaesser, an interdisciplinary major and member of SAVE, hopes the truck, which will serve as a mobile recycling station, will solidify campus recycling efforts and increase environmental awareness throughout the community.

Glass, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, aluminum, tin, and several varieties of paper will have a spot on the truck. While there's no market for plastic, the ambitious plan has already gained the support of several downtown businesses.

Steve Davison, manager of Action Prints, has agreed to participate by saving his company's paper waste for collection.

"There's a lot of extra trim cut that's wasted paper," Davison said. "That's all been going into the garbage."

Davison said his Front Street business produces as much as 200 pounds of paper waste per week, most of which ends up in the trash. But the new arrangement with SAVE has Action Prints storing its waste in bins for collection.

"When the bins are full they'll come pick them up," Davison said.

Jessie Peterson, a Carroll sophomore and member of SAVE, said the group's increased recycling efforts are taking hold on campus. Recycling bins in college dorms, the new campaign and word of mouth are raising awareness.

"I think this year a lot more people are open to the idea," Peterson said. "It's definitely our goal to make recycling a bigger thing."

Peterson, who is two months into her internship with the Montana Environmental Information Center, has helped arrange for the National Tour of Solar Buildings to come to Helena on Oct. 5. But as far as recycling goes, the new old truck has opened doors, both on campus and off.

"Last year, we had to make tons of trips back and forth to recycle," Peterson said. "This truck will make the whole process a lot more efficient."

That efficiency, Elsaesser said, will allow the campus to increase its recycling efforts and enter the community as an environmental leader. The vehicle is on loan from the drama department and is being insured by the university.

"For the first time we'll have a vehicle, which solves major logistical problems," Elsaesser said. "What we hope to do is solidify Carroll's commitment to recycling."

Once the plan gets rolling, Elsaesser said, SAVE will establish a schedule and park the truck at locations around the city. The group also hopes to work with area bars and restaurants in collecting cans and bottles.

"It takes a proactive effort," Elsaesser said. "That's what we're trying to do."

Peterson said she's happy to be part of the campaign.

"We're going to try to get the whole campus involved," she said.

View SAVE truck today

SAVE will unveil its newly painted truck today at 1:30 p.m. near O'Connell Hall and the water fountain. For more information or to participate in the SAVE program call 447-4513, or e-mail save@carroll.edu.

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or by e-mail at mkidston@helenair.com