Blooming soon: The Recycling Zone Prototype

By John Stevenson

Students walking along DeSoto Street near Mynders Hall will notice some unusual construction this month as the University prepares to build an ambitious "green" project known as the Recycling Zone Prototype.

The project, which is being referred to as an outdoor learning space, will be located in the slice of land between Mynders Hall and DeSoto Street and will be funded by the Green (Sustainable Campus) Fee. The University of Memphis Department of Architecture, campus organizations and local industry partners are collaborating and pooling resources to bring the project to life.

The Recycling Zone Prototype will serve as a demonstration site for sustainable practices and will be available to students, faculty and others as a place to not only socialize and relax, but also to learn about recycling and other sustainability causes.

The entire 6,000-square-foot plot of land was originally filled with unsightly asphalt and poor landscaping, which will soon be replaced by light-colored permeable surfaces and indigenous drought-tolerant plants. Eco-friendly LED lighting will be used for increased security. All materials used in the project will be either reused or recycled.

A goal of the Recycling Zone Prototype is to visually enhance the presence of the University's recycling program as well as to raise awareness of sustainable developments on campus.

Campus Landscape Architect Kenneth Mulvany said that the project "promotes awareness of sustainable practices in terms of reducing, reusing and recycling.”

“This Recycling Zone project serves as an example of a partnership between academic faculty, architecture student design, student involvement in construction, excellence in design and practical application of student green fee funds for a sustainable initiative," he said.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of spring. Similar projects are expected at other U of M campuses such as Park Avenue, Downtown Law School, Millington and Lambuth.