From Mary Jensen, Recycling Coordinator:
Over the past several years, the R.O.C.K.S. program has been adapting to a new waste and recycling management program in various academic buildings. The Science Center, Morrison and Parker Halls and the Huntress classrooms have all moved to a centralized waste and recycling collection system. What that means, in a practical sense, is that we have taken the trash containers out of the classrooms and grouped recycling and trash containers in locations convenient to a series of classrooms. We put signage into each classroom, on the wall where the trash cans had been, with instructions on how to find the nearest waste and recycling containers. In every building where we have made this change we have seen a dramatic increase in the recycling and a reduction in waste, which saves us money.
Costs have also been lowered by using fewer trash bags and by greatly reducing the need for small trash cans. In addition, housekeeping has fewer trash cans to empty, freeing up some of their time for other tasks. With some exceptions, we have found that the students adapted fairly quickly to the new system.
We did a trial run of multiple containers in each classroom (trash, bottles and cans, paper) but found that each container became a mix of materials and they were hard to keep clean. Overall, the multiple containers took up a large footprint in the classroom and were expensive to purchase, replace and maintain.
We know that this will not work in every situation (Science Center labs for example) but the advantages have far outweighed the disadvantages in our current locations.
We are planning to implement this system in every academic building over the summer. If you have any concerns about this process in your building or specific locations within your building, please let us know. We are happy to have your suggestions and recommendations. David Morrill is the Asst. Recycling Coordinator and he’ll be going through the buildings putting up signs and replacing containers. Either of us are happy to talk with you about your suggestions and concerns.
Thank you in advance for your support of this program change.