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THINK 3 R'S:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The Waste Operations staff: (left to right) Dale Bucholz, Rod Powers, Greg Boone, Harold Brown and Tino Villarreal.

This past fall marked the 10^th anniversary of recycling at the University of Michigan. Grounds and Waste Management and University Housing together launched one of the first comprehensive college recycling programs in September 1989. The original program accepted only newspaper, office paper and corrugated cardboard collected separately. Thanks to advances in recycling technology University faculty, staff and students are now able to recycle over 40 different types of paper in one recycling bin.

The ability to recycle such a large variety of materials came with the opening of the City of Ann Arbor's Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in 1995. All material collected by Waste Management Services is delivered to the MRF where it is sorted into specific categories then processed for shipment to markets around the Midwest. The quality of the material we deliver to the MRF is an important factor in the processing charges paid by the University. Recently, the level of contamination in our loads of recyclables has increased. When recycling, we ask that you remember to:

Dispose of food, disposable dishware, utensils, napkins and tissues in the trash.
Remove all foam from computer boxes. Block foam from computer boxes is not recyclable at this time.
Always bag packing "peanuts" to avoid "fallout" as dumpsters are emptied. Clean "peanuts" can be reused and are picked up by Waste Management on an on-call basis.
At the dock, remember the blue dumpster is for paper recycling, the blue cart is for bottles and cans, and the brown dumpster or compactor is for trash.

Whenever possible, reuse materials
Repair tools and equipment
Avoid unnecessary purchases

The University has continued to recycle on a consistent basis over the past few years -- however, despite these recycling efforts, waste generation is on the rise. As changes in the waste industry reduce our options for disposal, it is time to make an effort to reduce the amount of waste created as part of daily operations. Whenever possible, reuse materials. Repair tools and equipment. Avoid unnecessary purchases. Is a purchase being made because it is essential to get the job done or simply because it is available? If the purchase were being deducted from our pay, would we buy it? If a purchase is necessary, ask about availability of a recycled content equivalent. Reducing paper usage is a simple way to succeed at waste reduction. Is the office copy machine and printer able to produce double-sided copies? Does everyone know how to use the double-sided feature? Many printers create a separator page between print jobs; this is an unnecessary waste of paper. This feature can be removed as the default from most machines. Waste Management handles many materials that are generated from delivery of supplies and equipment. When possible, check with the supplier about back hauling pallets, crates or barrels for reuse. Items purchased in large volumes can be shipped without excess packaging when specified.
Since 1990, U-M GWM has been a leader in recycling and waste reduction. Continued support and participation throughout Plant Operations and across campus will maintain that status. For more information, visit www.recycle.umich.edu or call Sarah Archer at 764-1601.

-Sarah Archer, Grounds & Waste Management