Recycling

About

Our university’s recycling project is focused on encouraging students to recycle more effectively while raising awareness about the importance of responsible waste management. 

Through redesigned recycling bins placed throughout campus and engaging educational campaigns, we aim to make recycling both accessible and intuitive for everyone. 

By highlighting the environmental impact of proper waste disposal and the benefits of a circular economy, our initiative empowers all to take small but significant actions that collectively contribute to a greener future.

This project not only helps reduce waste but also fosters a culture of sustainability that extends beyond campus.

Email Communication

Email Communication about new bins:
We are excited to announce a redesign of our recycling bins to help our community meet three sustainability goals by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year:

• Increase our campus recycling rates to 50% of waste

• Reduce overall waste by 10%

• Lower the recyclables contamination by 50%

To make recycling easier, we have simplified the process by creating one bin (the green one) for all the recyclables.

And as we have started our community garden (located in the courtyard next to lecture hall 1185), we have introduced a new bin for compost (food waste) that will be turned into nutrients for our plants.

Here are some directions on how to use the bins:

• Recyclables: (Green bin)

  • Glass, metal, plastic, paper and cardboards (all in one bin); you can still recycle your items even if they have some food residue like a pizza box or a food container

• Compost: (Brown bin)

  • Food scraps, wooden cutlery, flowers, fruit peels

• Non-recyclables: (Black bin)

  • Plastic chip bags

  • Used tissue paper

  • Styrofoam

  • Tetra Pak containers

Please note that most items are now recyclable, so only a few things belong in the non-recyclable bin.

Meeting Notes

Projects and Progress

• Fall 2024: We got new bins, we trained our new service workers to identify contamination and weigh the recycling and waste, given them a new laptop, and begun to code data so we can identify trends.

• Spring 2025: We noticed discrepancies in our data and are addressing that, and working on social media campaigns so people recycling more.

The Team