Think Before You Waste

By Co-Chair of the Recycling Working Group Ashlea Smith

The financial market is fluctuating big time, but it is hardly noticeable around campus. Things seem to still be functioning as they should with students coming to class, having fun at Every Freaking Friday at the Johnson Center and continuing to cause traffic on Patriot Circle. But what students don’t see is how the financial market affects certain “invisible” functions that are provided for every student every day, namely recycling.

As compared to trash, recycling creates revenue for George Mason University. A common misconception is that throwing your trash away is free and that recycling costs money. On the contrary, they both cost money to collect, but recycled materials can be sold, where trash generates zero profits. The market for recycled products dictates how much money is made and right now, like in all industries, the market for recycled materials is ailing.

Regardless of the state of the global economy, recycling continues at Mason, whether or not you see it happening around campus. In fact, a wonderful program actively employing the developmentally disabled was started in July 1989. The program was begun by Ron Lim, the current Recycling Manager at Mason
for the collection of recyclables at five campus buildings using only two carts. Since 1989, the program employing the mentally and physically disabled has increased to eight employees with three supervisors.

Here at Mason a great variety of materials are recycled in the blue bins across campus, including glass, steel, aluminum and plastics #1 and #2 (to the industry it is called “municipal recycling”). We also recycle paper of all types: white paper, mixed paper (receipts, cereal boxes, manila folders, colored paper, glossy mail inserts, etc.), cardboard, and newspaper. Look for the sticker on the bin to see what to recycle. Soon you will also be able to recycle wrappers, plastic grocery bags, and compact fluorescent light bulbs at an artistic recycling center in the Northern Neck Residence Hall.

As many can see, there’s a lot of construction across campus and many construction materials are collected for recycling including asphalt, scrap metal, wood and concrete. Even old broken furniture is recycled after being disassembled. Food scraps are also recyclable in the green bins around the Southside Dining Facility. Electronic recycling is especially important because the materials that are used in small electronic devices are often extremely toxic to the environment and are very valuable as reclaimed materials. Mason community members can recycle old cell phones and dead rechargeable batteries at the JC Information Desk and the Student Union Building II Information Desk. Lastly, ink cartridges from residence hall printers are recyclable at the Computer Store near the Bookstore in the JC.

As more and more academic buildings and residence halls are built, the demand for recycling is ever increasing. It is important that students recognize that increasing campus recycling NOW is making an investment in the future. As it stands, we currently recycle about 24 percent of all our waste. It is easy to increase this number to 50 percent if students, teachers and staff hold themselves accountable by stopping and thinking “Can I recycle this?” If they don’t know, answers can be found by searching for the “Accepted Materials” list at the Office of Recycling and Waste Management’s website by going to http://facilities.gmu.edu/physicalplant/recycling/.

Think before you waste! Don’t toss something in the trash that can boost the economy, create jobs for the developmentally disabled, and protect the environment by recycling!

P.S. If you are an aggressive recycler like I am, then consider joining the GMU Recycling Working Group. Send an email to asmithk@gmu.edu for more information.

Living the Green Life
Here are 3 easy ways to incorporate recycling into your life:
• Recycle your ink cartridges
• Compost at Southside
• Recycle used plastic bottles

Dan Waxman is the Sustainability Projects Manager for University Services and can be reached at dwaxman@gmu.edu