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UB converting to single-stream recycling
UB is implementing a single-stream, “all in one” recycling program that no longer requires that recyclables be sorted according to type.
The new program will make recycling easier, and ideally lead to more materials being diverted from landfills, according Erin Moscati, environmental educator at UB Green.
Employees now may place all accepted recyclables in their blue, desk-side bins, as well as in any container on campus designated for recyclables that has a new, Saturn-style, single-stream lid and appropriate all-in-one recycling sticker, Moscati says. She explains that the conversion of public containers has been gradual, with custodial staff working to replace lids since mid-July. Soon, all blue lids labeled for “paper only” and green lids for “containers/bottle and cans only” will be replaced with the Saturn-style, all-in-one lid, she adds.
The old lids—Moscati estimated there are more than 1,000—are being donated to Buffalo State College for use in its campus recycling program.
She points out that the list of items that can be recycled has been expanded, but stresses that it remains critical that garbage be kept out of recycling bins. Click here for a detailed list of what items can and cannot be recycled.
Moscati says that employees received a letter last week about the new recycling policy, guidelines for the new policy and a sticker for their desk-side bins reinforcing the new all-on-one policy.
Recycling and waste minimization are two areas with great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at UB and help the university fulfill its commitment to become a climate neutral campus by 2030, Moscati explains.
“By decreasing the amount of materials consumed on campus, we can reduce emissions associated with transportation and methane emissions from landfills,” she says.
Moreover, recycling also results in monetary savings for the university. “Increasing our recycling rate by 10 percent would result in annual savings in excess of $10,000,” she says.
Moscati notes that UB’s waste-diversion rate has remained constant at about 34 percent for more than a decade; UB Green hopes the new all-in-one recycling policy will “jumpstart” the recycling program by making it easier for people to recycle, thus increasing the waste-diversion rate.
“Making it easier just seemed to be a no-brainer,” she says.
For more information about UB’s recycling program, visit UB Green’s recycling website or contact Moscati at 829-5743, or emoscati@buffalo.edu.
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