Recycling

I have heard a few questions recently about our recycling program and thought it would be good to share what is currently happening.

 

Thanks to the Sustainability Committee for their work and to Troy Burns and Jim Bustard for their work in both implementing the program and adjusting it as needed.

Some facts:

1.  White paper is collected in rolling collection bins that are placed throughout the campus.  The bins are delivered to the loading dock by the custodial staff each Monday evening and they are picked up early Tuesday morning by Community Resource, Inc.

2.  Cardboard is collected in dumpsters located in the main campus service drive and on the west side of the ATC building.  Cardboard is collected weekly by Community Resource or called as needed.  On occasion, some cardboard does make its way into the trash when, for example, the college receives large furniture deliveries. Overall, a high percentage of the cardboard on campus is getting recycled on a daily basis.

3.  Electronic components of all kinds are collected in D and X-wing storage areas and an annual pick up is arranged with Secure Processors , the company contracted by the state to properly dispose off electronics and insure proper wiping of data from computers.

4.  A large amount of surplus furniture and fixtures were recently disposed of via a sale at the Tony Noel building.  Secure Processors picked up electronic items unsold and leftover metal items were sent to the recycler as practical.  

5. RJ Rowland and his  students have completed a yard waste composting station located at the Grounds building.  Grounds Staff will add vegetative waste to it as it is collected.  Don Bergfield is in charge of managing the compost and will use it to support the Sustainable Farm.

6.  Twenty new recycle bins are stationed throughout the student lounges, cafeterias, and common areas in the College Center/Xwing, from L-wing down to D-wing.  The Marketing Department has created posters for each collection station that promote recycling, and directs users as to what should go in each bin. 

Unfortunately, Joyce Morefield and her custodial staff were finding a lot of cross-contamination of food stuffs and Styrofoam dropped in the recycle bins, creating  separation and flies/gnats problems.  

Recyclables that are collected are taken to the U of I transfer/recycle facility.

  

Marketing is working on better signage that clearly spells out sorting instructions for users so more product end ends up in the correct bins.  Troy Burns has purchased a different color trash bag to use in the recycle collection bins with the intent of providing a quick visual differentiation of recyclable versus trash for the custodians when they bring their loads to the dumpsters. Custodians will no longer have to inspect each bag to ensure trash is ending up in the correct dumpster.  

Steve Smith from ABC Disposal is dropping two marked dumpsters in the M1 lot where our other dumpsters have always been staged.  ABC will be monitoring both dumpsters in order to provide us data on how much trash is going into each bin (landfill v. recycle) and give us feedback on how cleanly our recycling program operates.  This will ultimately determine future pricing for his services and give us valuable information on where we can make improvements.  

Our biggest challenge at this time is getting a cleaner recycle stream.

Again, thank you to the PCA Sustainability Committee for moving this project along and I look forward to both improving our processes and providing clear opportunities for students, staff, and faculty the help not only the College, but our greater community act in a more environmentally responsible manner.

If you have suggestions, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a member of the committee.

(19,975)