Plans to update the recycling and sanitation at Diablo Valley College are underway as new funding becomes available.

DVC head custodian Frank Ichigaya, along with his team, keep the entire campus clean.

As head custodian ichigaya takes on the responsibility of dealing with recycling issues.

Ichigaya has future plans to recycle up to 50% of all waste on campus, which would be a big improvement from the five to 10 percent of all waste being recycled now.

This semester his department has been granted an extra $17,550.

“I have 15,000 of it now,” Ichigaya said. “So we should start to see these additions out with in a month or two.”

There are currently about 33 brown recycle bins around the DVC campus and some fill up quicker than others.

Ichigaya plans to change these brown bins to something more noticeable in hopes to increase student and teacher recycling.

He plans to replace the old bins with the uptown – double bin made by Busch Systems.

These bins will be permanently attached to the ground to prevent spilling and will be more modern looking to attract more students to recycle. More designs are available at the Busch Systems website.

Ichigaya is also working on cutting costs where he can, such as reusing garbage liners, but more importantly cutting water usage.

California has been going through a drought so using a pressure washer is not always the most viable option.

Although sometimes it still needs to be done, the new Busch Systems bins will hopefully reduce drainage from the garbage and recycle bins leading to less water usage.

The DVC Sustainability Committee discussed putting more recycling and water conservation signs all over the campus.

The committee also discussed future plans for more solar panels, parking spots for carpool, promoting bike lockers, reducing smoking on campus and fixing problems caused by homeless on the DVC campus.

The sustainability committee meets on the last Thursday of every month where Ichigaya and other DVC staff involved in the upkeep of the campus, meet to discuss campus upkeep.

Anyone can become involved in the sustainability committee by going to their meeting at 3 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month in the Administrative Business Room.