Recycling Matters: A Study on Improving University Recycling Programs

This study of the recycling process at (unnamed university) was undertaken with the goal of revealing and solving such issues as an overabundance of recycling waste incorrectly thrown in different waste areas, an insufficient supply of recycling waste bins, and a lack of knowledge on recycling in general at (unnamed university). To solve these issues, we aim to increase the knowledge of faculty and students and the availability and convenience of receptacles, thereby decreasing the trash-waste and confusion. Our solutions to these problems start with providing recycling cans everywhere a trash bin would be available while also making them noticeably different to prevent confusion. The next goal would be to inform new students of the recycling options available to them by providing freshman students with small pamphlets at orientation with general information on recycling at (unnamed university). We would also provide these pamphlets to each on-campus student in their dorm when they move in along with a reusable metal straw to decrease plastic use. To remind students about important recycling knowledge, we will have 13 posters up throughout campus at each eatery in case students forget what can be recycled. Finally, to clarify our main goal, we would ask for a speaker, hopefully the Dean of the School of Earth & Environment, to speak about recycling at each orientation session in the summer. Our projects would result in a total cost of approximately $46,093.72 and take 14 weeks to implement all our suggestions. Despite the pandemic, this objective towards limiting our environmental impact in terms of our recycling issue at (unnamed university) is still very important, and, keeping current pandemic guidelines and restrictions in mind, it will be adapted appropriately to ensure health and safety guidelines are met.