Hofstra University, NY Recycling Program

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Type: Program

Status: Ongoing

Source File: http://www.hofstra.edu/About/Campus/facops/environ/environ_recycling.html

Description:

What we are doing....
Hofstra University is continually working to make our campus as environmentally friendly as possible. Our efforts range from contracting with our refuse removal vendor to hand separate all paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and other recyclables from our waste stream to battery and light bulb recycling to our continuing effort to install high efficiency lighting where ever and whenever possible.

Recycling Rubbish
Hofstra University has contracted with our refuse removal vendor to handle the separation of recyclables from our waste stream. Although this effort is not necessarily apparent to our campus community, it does help the University obtain a higher level of compliance covering a greater number of items in recycling.

Cardboard
Hofstra University utilizes a dedicated compactor just for cardboard. The compacted material is then inspected for contaminates, baled and shipped to a paper mill for additional processing.

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help improve the percentage of cardboard that can be recycled while also reducing the cost of handling the material.

  • Keep cardboard waste separate from the rest of the waste. This helps simplify the process of separating the cardboard from the rest of the waste stream and also minimizes the change that the cardboard will be contaminated by other waste.
  • Break down boxes and containers so they are flat. This helps minimize the space needed to store the cardboard.

White Paper and Paper Fiber Material
White paper and paper fiber materials are collected in recycling containers/carts. The material is then inspected for contaminates, baled and shipped to a paper mill for final processing into products such as tissue paper and writing paper.

Rest assured that cardboard and white paper placed in the general waste stream will be separated and recycled.

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help improve the percentage of white paper and paper fiber material that can be recycled while also reducing the cost of handling the material.

  • Utilize the "White Paper" recycling containers whenever present. This helps simplify the process of separating the white paper from the rest of the waste stream and also minimizes the change that it will be contaminated by other waste.

Cafeteria and General Waste
This waste is processed to remove recyclables and contaminated materials such as; tires, tree stumps, white goods (metals), mattresses, etc. The remaining stream is then incinerated and the ashes are checked again for metals. All recyclables are sent to recycling processors.

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help reduce the amount of general waste produced.

  • Only take the items you need. You would be surprised at how many unused napkins, plastic utensils, and food packets are discarded by diners at the various eateries throughout campus. Besides being just plain wasteful, this type of waste increases the amount of waste that can not be recycled.

Construction Debris
Construction material is processed to separate by type. This allows for easier transport to recycling facilities. These materials are utilized in end products such as; recycled concrete, Landfill cover material (ADCM), clean fill, etc.

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help improve the percentage of construction debris that can be recycled while also reducing the cost of handling the material.

  • Do not throw general waste into a container/dumpster containing construction debris. This helps simplify the process of separating the construction debris and also minimizes the change that the debris will be contaminated by other wast

Recycling Batteries
Although our refuse removal vendor removes batteries from our waste stream, Hofstra University maintains an additional battery recycling process. All used batteries can be disposed of at the Receiving and Stores counter in the Plant building. The Plant building is conveniently located on the east side of the Stadium on Baldwin. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help improve the percentage of batteries that can be recycled while also reducing the cost of handling the material.

  • Keep used batteries separate from the rest of the waste. This helps simplify the process of separating the cardboard from the rest of the waste stream and also minimizes the change that the batteries will be contaminated by other waste.
  • Take your used batteries to the Receiving and Stores counter in the Plant building. This ensures that the batteries will be handled and stored correctly thus preventing a battery leak.

Recycling Light bulbs
Hofstra University has contracted with a refuse removal vendor to handle the large number of used light bulbs generated across campus. These light bulbs are collected and stored for pickup by the vendor.

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help improve the percentage of light bulbs that can be recycled while also reducing the cost of handling the material.

  • Keep used lightbulbs separate from the rest of the waste. This helps simplify the process of handling the lightbulbs and reduces the chance that it is broken.
  • Whenever possible, put the used bulb in the package that the replacement Light bulb came in. This greatly reduces the chance that the Light bulb will break.

Other Wastes
You would be surprised at the different types of waste that we come across here at Hofstra University. From used automobile parts and fluids to printer cartridges, we see just about everything. The following list are some other items sorted from the general waste stream on campus:

  • Cooking oil and grease
  • Used vehicle hydraulic\lubricant oils and filters
  • Antifreeze from vehicles and air conditioners
  • Computer monitors
  • Paints and paint thinners

What Can You Do?
The following recommendations are things that you can do to help improve the general recycling effort on campus.

  • If discarding a used/broken appliance, do not damage the item. Damaging the item may cause a leak that will hinder or prevent proper handling.
  • Do NOT pour discarded oils, or any other fluids, down the drain or into a toilet. This not only prevents recycling but can also pose a danger.
  • Make sure to place the fluid being discarded into a container that can be properly sealed and labeled. Make sure to properly label the container to indicate the contents.
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