Recycling
Recycling is a key component of modern waste management. It involves saving used goods and reprocessing them to reduce waste and conserve raw materials. Recycling reduces energy consumption, air pollution, and the release of green house gases (associated with waste incineration) or water pollution (associated with land fills).
Housing's recycling program began in 1989 with an effort to collect cardboard and newspapers. Today, that program has grown to include the collection of:
- Most papers and types of containers
- Compostable materials
- Electronics
- Hazardous materials
- Some construction waste
We field special efforts during student move-in and move-out to collect packing materials and residents' castoffs. These efforts yield huge amounts of materials that are recycled and goods that are donated to local non-profits and charities.
Our present recycling rate is approaching 40% by volume. We partner with University Waste Management to maximize recycling and to make efficient use of energy and water resources.
Residence Hall Recycling Program
University Housing and Waste Management Services co-sponsor the Residence Hall Recycling Program. This program provides special recycling containers in every student room plus convenient disposal sites nearby. Students bring trash and recyclables to the nearest Waste/Recycling Closet in their living areas (or, in some buildings, to an outside collection site).
Recycling Tips
- Choose reusables over disposables, for example, washable silverware rather than plastic or cloth towels rather than paper.
- Avoid excess packaging and buy in bulk, for example, concentrated juice in a paper can rather than reconstituted juice in a larger plastic jug.
- Use rechargeable batteries and, when depleted, check with your Community Center for proper disposal.
- Donate old clothes, food, and household objects to charities. Many places in Ann Arbor accept donations, including
- Buy recycled products when possible, including those with 100% post-consumer recycled content and non-chlorine bleached paper.
- Use double-sided printing/copying and print multiple pages per sheet. Use smaller fonts and decrease line spacing, when possible, to reduce the number of pages you print. Edit on screen, not on paper.
- Use an electronic calendar rather than a printed one.
- Use email to minimize paper use.
- Ask that your statements and bills be sent to you online rather than through the mail.
- Read newspapers online instead of buying them. (It's free and easy!)
- Reuse paper bags. Some stores will discount your purchase if you bring your own bags.
- Cancel your junk mail. (Send your name and address with the following request: "Please remove my name and address from your mailing lists!" to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
To learn more about local recycling initiatives, please visit these sites:
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| recyclingUR.jpg | 43.39 KB |
