From you to brand new! — A journey through campus recycling
You already know it’s important to recycle your bottles, cans, and papers. But have you ever wondered what happens after you Bin It?
1: Bin It! Putting your waste in the proper bin is the first step toward getting sorted and sent to the landfill or recycling center. While a few recyclables may get pulled from the trash later, the right thing to do is sort your own waste whenever possible. In campus buildings, look for bins labeled for cans and bottles and paper. (Hint: Many of these will have blue bin liners.) Depending on the building, cardboard may get collected near the recycling stations, or at another location. Just ask a building office staff member what you should do.
2: Campus continuously empties recycling bins and hauls landfill and recyclable waste by truck to the Campus Waste Transfer Station, located on St. Mary’s Road in the southwest corner of campus.
3: Almost all campus landfill waste goes through the Waste Transfer Station before taking its final journey to landfill or recycling plant.
All waste is weighed and reported. In 2014, campus sent more than 10 tons of trash to the landfill and nearly 5 tons of cans, bottle, and papers to be recycled.
4: The Waste Transfer Station compacts recyclables into large bales by commodity type: plastic, paper, cardboard, or aluminum. When the prices are good, these will be sold and the funds used to support further waste handling efforts.
ENGAGE: How to participate in
campus recycling
Click here to view the accompanying resource page (referenced in video)
