Dear Members of the UM Community,

We write to urge you to support The University of Montana’s recycling program (UM Recycle) through payroll deduction. Over the past 15 years, UM Recycle has diverted 3,000 tons of materials from the landfill, cutting waterborne pollution by 12 tons and reducing air pollution the equivalent of taking more than 1,700 cars off the roads. By our conservative estimate, UM Recycle has saved 24,000 trees and 82 billion BTUs of energy, enough to power more than 780 homes for a year. UM Recycle has also employed and trained hundreds of students in various aspects of recycling.

UM Recycle can accomplish much more with increased support. UM Recycle currently receives about 80 percent of its funds from a student recycling fee ($4 per student per semester). With increased funding, UM Recycle will improve recycling in the residence halls, recycle more kinds of materials, and obtain an increased price for our recyclables by implementing enhanced sorting methods.

Twelve years ago, the University established a payroll deduction plan to enable faculty, staff, and administrative officers to join students in supporting recycling. At that time, several hundred faculty, staff, and administrators accepted the opportunity. However, participation has dwindled over time. We write now to remind the campus community of this important program and to urge your support.

This is an opportunity for the University to become a model of sustainability for our community and other campuses. As a challenge to the campus community, the Office of the President will match your contribution. You may give whatever amount works for your budget; no contribution is too small or too large.

To participate, please complete a PAYROLL DEDUCTION FORM.

IMPORTANT: Your signature is required, so please print, complete, sign, and send the form via campus mail to: Anita Brown, Human Resource Services. Be sure to write “UM Recycling” in the “Deduction Name” line at the bottom of the form.

We hope all faculty, staff, and administrators will join the students in supporting the campus recycling program. We must work together to conserve resources and provide more students with valuable work experience.

Please join us for a more sustainable University.

George M. Dennison
UM President

Vicki Watson, EVST faculty
Chair, UM Recycling Committee

Jone Hayes, Staff Senate
Human Resource Services