QUESTIONS ABOUT RECYCLING AT 麻豆原创
Q – Does Augsburg have a single-stream recycling system?
A – You might still find some lingering paper and bottle recycling bins around campus but don’t let that confuse you. 聽Augsburg 聽has a single-stream recycling system so feel free to toss everything into one bin. 聽Please be sure to empty all containers though to avoid messy spills and contamination. 聽Old bins are being replaced as we transition to this new system.
Q – “Why not have the custodians empty the desk side recycling containers?”
A – The objective of a successful program is to involve broad participation; the job of聽recycling is simply too large for any custodial department, waste hauler, or government聽agency for that matter. As consumers we need to take some responsibility for the waste聽we generate. Given the best circumstances, recycling is a break-even operation. To聽spend large sums in labor dollars in sorting and transporting recycle materials is not聽economically viable.
Besides, when we have polled customers on this, most respond that they are happy to聽empty their own recycle bins. Many people use their desk-side recycling as a kind of聽intermediate storage for papers they still might refer to.
Q – “What happens to the money the聽University makes on recycling?”
A – Actually, we don’t make any money. The cost of labor to collect, sort, and haul away聽recycle materials outweighs financial gains. We do however AVOID certain costs; we聽are charged less to remove a ton of recycle materials than we are a ton of waste. In this聽way it does make economic sense to recycle.
Q – “We must make money on aluminum cans ?”
A – Again, the labor of removing cans and sorting eliminates any profit. If we were to聽separate, sort, crush, store and transport aluminum cans, we would realize some cash,聽but the labor cost would far outweigh any money derived. We believe we are better聽served by the current system of commingling aluminum with glass and plastic. That聽system is simple, economical and efficient, and meets the objective of keeping these聽materials out of the waste stream.
If any campus group is interested in collecting and sorting aluminum cans as a fund聽raiser, we are certainly willing to accommodate that activity. In the past, Campus聽Ministry, M.P.I.R.G., and others have done this.
Q – “When in doubt, recycle it. Right?”
A – WRONG! If you are uncertain whether something is recyclable, it probably isn’t.聽Contamination of recycled materials remains our single greatest problem. When waste聽is mixed in with recycle materials it causes whole loads of recycle materials to be聽rejected by the hauler. Food waste and beverages carelessly thrown in a paper聽collection container turn all that collected paper into waste. When a recycling dumpster聽becomes contaminated with trash, we even have to pay additional charges for a special聽pick-up to remove it. When in doubt, throw it out! Call Custodial Services with your聽questions (x1640).