Recycling

Every year, the Mount generates more than 464 TONS of ‘trash’-- about 775 pounds per student!

Do NOT be content with adding to that amount of waste when there are alternatives!

• Why Recycle?
• What is Recycle Mania
• The Greening of the Mount
• What is Recyclable?
• What is a Disposable?
• Printable Materials
  • Paper Recycling Poster (pdf)
  • 8.5" x 11" Recycling Poster (pdf)
  • RATS Flyer (pdf)
• Inkjet Cartridge and Cell phone Recycling
• Bin Locations
• Purchasing "Desk Side" bins
• University Recycling Committee

Questions or suggestions? Email us at recycle@msmary.edu.

Why Recycle?
“Each day, at least 1.5 million tons of hazardous waste will be ‘disposed of’ by being released into our air, water, and land, and Americans will throw away enough garbage to fill the Superdome in New Orleans two times.”[1] “Last year, Americans, who make up only five percent of the world's population, used nearly a third of its resources and produced almost half of its hazardous waste.”[2] In Frederick County the effects of this problem can be seen very clearly. The county is running out of room in its landfill and has decided instead to create a transfer station in order to literally transfer the problem to another community and future generations.

What is Recycle Mania?
The www.recyclemania.org website reports that 375 schools are participating in this year's competition. Recycle Mania was launched in 2001 as a friendly challenge between Ohio University and Miami University to increase recycling on their campuses.

Recycle Mania is a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in the United States that provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. Over a 10-week period from January 27 to April 5, campuses compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.

The main goal of this event is to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization. All participating schools are required to report measurements on a weekly basis in pounds. Recycle Mania provides many ways to gain recognition, including Recycle Mania trophies, awards, and participant certificates.

The Greening of the Mount
In the Spring of 2006, the University launched its new recycling program. Thanks to the participation of the Mount community, every month we are recycling over a TON of plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard! By recycling these used items into new products, we are demonstrating our commitment to being responsible stewards of our precious limited resources.

In the interest of further improving the participation in and efficiency of the program, the Recycling Committee would like to know what you think. In particular, we are interested in knowing whether you think there are areas where additional recycling bins should be located. If so, where should they be located (be specific) and what kinds of materials should be collected? Although we can't promise that we will be able to fulfill every request, your feedback will help us decide whether and where to expand the program. Please email recycle@msmary.edu with suggestions.

What is recyclable?
At present, we recycle the following:

Inkjet Cartridge and Cell phone Recycling
As of April 2008, the Inkjet Cartridges and Cell phones recycling program has been suspended. We recently learned that the company we have been using to recycle spent inkjet cartridges and old cell phones has gone out of business. The University Recycling Committee is in the process of selecting a new company. However, it is not likely that the selection will be made before the end of the academic year (2007-2008).

If you have any remaining pre-paid mailing envelopes, please do not use them as we cannot be sure that they will be properly recycled. If you have an inkjet cartridge or old cell phone that needs to be recycled, please hold on to it or take it to Staples or Best Buy.

The recycling program for inkjet cartridges and cell phone has been very successful. We look forward to reinstituting the program as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please contact the University Recycling Committee at recycle@msmary.edu.

What is a Disposable?

Disposables Bins are now located in Patriot Hall; they are the new big blue bins with the large holes. These are for empty cups, clam shells, and salad bar to-go containers, napkins. Sorry no straws, drinks, or food go in these bins. If you've used a clear cup or other disposable, simply empty the food and straw in the trash or the liquids on the tray and use the new DISPOSABLES bins for these compostable items.

The new dining service cups are not regular petroleum-based plastic and cannot be placed in regular recycling. They are made from an environmentally friendly alternative polymer based on corn; so these new “plastic” cups can be composted. The Disposables collection will be composted here on campus.  If you have these items in other areas of campus, please place them in the trash.

Please continue to use the regular recycle bins for other materials: Paper, Newspaper, Cardboard, Glass, Plastic, and Aluminum.

Bin Locations
Click here to locate the recycling bin closest to you. Notice that there is one tab for common areas and another tab for the residence halls.

Desk Side Bins
Faculty, staff, and administration may purchase small desk side recycling bins for their personal use. Please note, these bins will not be emptied by the custodial staff. You can use them to collect your recyclables and then empty them in the centrally located bins near you. Refer to the list below for more on the location of bins on campus. If you would like to purchase a bin, contact Maria Topper in purchasing (mtopper@msmary.edu).

2007-2008 University Recycling Committee
Michelle L.W. Bower, Chair (Department of Education)
Dave Cohill(Business and Finance)
Phil Valentine (Physical Plant Director)
Buzz Miller (Physical Plant)
Jesse Dorman (Residential Life Associate Director)
Maria Topper (Purchasing)
Barb Levy (Staff Affairs Committee)
Nicole Shilling (Environmental Club President)
 (SGA Rep)

[1] James P. Sterba, Earth Ethics, 2^nd ed. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000) 1.