The pilot program is focused on Bailey Hall residents of the second and third floors. Those residents have received boxes which they can fill with plastics, paper, metals and cardboard. Every Sunday students will collect the boxes, sort them and then send the materials off to MSU Recycling.

Students in the course are divided into six teams, such as marketing and sustainability. Each team shares their findings with each other to create a successful working unit that adapt to problems as they arise, said community sustainability professor Matt Raven, who teaches the introductory course.

Fisheries and wildlife freshman Eamon Devlin said many problems are bound to arise in the first collection cycles but adjusting on the fly is an essential lesson of the program. Devlin said preparing and planning ahead will develop a cooperative work ethic that will put him one step ahead after graduation.

“I came to State because they offer opportunities like this,” Devlin said. “I’m able to put it on résumés and talk about these experiences in interviews.”

Raven said learning by experience, having students create a program and follow it through, kinks and all, develops the tools of cooperation, problem-solving and communication that students will use in their careers.

“It’s critical for students to take what they’re learning in the classroom and apply it in real world circumstances,” Raven said. “What you do is what you learn.”

Psychology sophomore Kelsey Allan said memorizing and reading is less effective for her than learning by application. Allan said working in teams and dealing with problems is more engaging, especially when it relates to her passion, the environment.

“Imagine how much waste there is in the entire world and how it’s ending up in the landfills or the oceans and that impacts our environment,” Allan said.

At the end of the semester, the teams will examine the pilot program to see what worked. Once they’ve compiled that information, they’ll give recommendations to MSU Recycling and the Residence Halls Association, who might expand the program to other residential halls and neighborhoods.

“You always hear the stories about things starting in one dorm and expanding to the community,” Devlin said. “That would be amazing to have.”