A bill to replace current paper towel and toilet paper dispensers in the University Center with new, more sustainable ones was introduced and passed during the Student Government Association meeting Thursday.
The amount of waste created by the current dispensers would be curtailed by installing new electronic dispensers that will limit how much paper is used during any single use, according to the bill. The bill also stated the new dispensers will reduce the amount of odors in the UC restrooms. The bill’s primary sponsor, Kyla Harris from SGA’s environmental committee, said she was inspired to create this bill after her experiences using the UC restrooms.
“I visit the University Center a lot, and I realized I frequent the restrooms a lot, and there have been several occasions where I have gone in there, and it was unnecessarily filthy,” Harris said. “There were paper towels and toilet paper everywhere and offensive odors. As a member of SGA, I just want to make sure that students are getting the best possible experience they can.”
Harris said the new paper towel dispensers will be motion-activated, will measure out a length of paper towel each use and are designed to use an entire roll of paper towels before replacing and will have motion-activated air fresheners. Harris said these features will improve campus sustainability by reducing the amount of paper waste created and will improve the atmosphere of the restrooms. She also said the bill will benefit everyone who visits the UC.
“I think that students, faculty and staff will all benefit from this bill because those are the people who frequent the UC and the restrooms the most,” Harris said.
The bill passed with 21 votes in favor. The new dispensers will be installed in the four student- accessible restrooms on the first floor of the UC by the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, according to the bill. New dispensers will then be installed in the rest of the UC restrooms and all restrooms on campus in the following years.
Students Government Association members discuss changes for restrooms on campus. The new toilet paper and paper towel dispensers will begin to be installed in the University Center.
President of SGA Kevyanna Rawls discusses her agenda with the rest of the members.
Students Government Association members discuss changes for restrooms on campus. The new toilet paper and paper towel dispensers will begin to be installed in the University Center.
