Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Recycling at Otterbein is easy. All plastics, paper types, aluminum and steel cans, glass containers, and cardboard can be placed in the same recycling bin.
Convenience
Commingling, placing all recyclables in the same container, is intended to make recycling on campus more convenient. Otterbein's recycler, Rumpke Recycling, collects these commingled materials and uses a sorting system to separate them. These materials are then sold to manufacturers that produce paper, containers, and various components of consumer products.
Providing convenient recycling opportunities is a key factor in promoting our campus recycling program. The growing success of our program is due in large part to the increasing number of recycling containers on campus. There are approximate 100 recycling containers on campus and others are added when special events are scheduled such as plays, dinners, athletic events, special conferences and similar gatherings. Currently recycling opportunities exit in all residence halls, faculty/staff offices, library, Campus Center, recreation facilities, several classroom areas, selected vending areas and in the copy/mail center.
Recyclable or Waste?
Here is the list of acceptable items. Please flattened, stack, and break down all items listed below before placing them in the recycling containers.
- Paper (white ledger paper, colored paper)
- Plastic containers with codes 1 through 7 (soft drink bottles, milk jugs, detergent jugs). Please remove all lids.
- Aluminum (beverage cans, clean aluminum foil, clean pie pans)
- Glass food and beverage containers (clear, brown, green)
- Bi-metal/steel food and beverage containers (soup cans, tuna fish cans)
- Gable-top cartons (dairy/juice cartons)
- Aseptic packages (juice boxes without straws)
- Telephone books
- Corrugated/paperboard (packing boxes, pizza boxes, detergent boxes, cereal boxes). Please remove all food.
- Newspapers (including ad inserts)
- Magazines (only those with less than one inch binding)
In addition to materials that are traditionally recycled on campus there are opportunities to recycle other materials that are generated on an irregular basis. These materials include:
- Electronics
- Construction and demolition debris
- Miscellaneous ferrous and non-ferrous metal items
- Communication and electric wire
- Cooking Grease
- Records destruction
Recycling Partnerships on Campus
There are several groups on campus that assist the Service Department in coordinating the campus recycling program. These partnerships have heightened the interest and participation of the campus community in recycling.
Key partnerships include:
- Plan-It Earth - This student environmental group will be coordinating the 2009 Recyclemania contest. This national college and university recycling contest will begin in January and continue through March.
- Housekeeping - The College housekeeping contractor, WFF, provides collection services on all interior containers. Also, they provide special recycling services for special events that are scheduled at various venues across campus.
- Residence Life - Resident Directors and Assistants promote recycling activities within the residence halls. Also, awareness information is distributed to students that encourage participation in recycling activities.
- Bon Appetite - The College's food service contractor actively participates in campus recycling activities. Food containers and delivery cartons are recycled at the Campus Center and Roost Express.
Good for Business
It is possible that over 50 percent of Otterbein's waste stream can be recycled. By reducing the amount of waste discarded and increasing the amount of materials recycled, the College is reducing the demands on energy and natural resource consumption. Also, this creates the opportunity to downsize campus disposal containers and reduces disposal costs.
