[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/milk-edited.jpg” caption=”Milk cartons like these can now be recycled thanks to the expansion of the University’s recycling program. File photo.”]McMaster is about to get a little more blue so that its campus can be a lot more green.

The University is expanding its recycling program to include all types of plastic. Milk cartons and clean take-out containers are among those products that can now be recycled. Only those items marked with the number six and the letters “PS” are excluded. In order to facilitate this expansion, the number of blue recycling bins on campus will be increased.

“This is a significant expansion of the existing plastic recycling program on campus,” says Kate Whalen, manager of the Office of Sustainability. “Recycling is something that everyone can be a part of and now with an expanded program there are more ways for all of us to contribute to McMaster's sustainability.”

The expanded recycling program will be supported by a new campaign designed to promote recycling habits on campus and teach best-practice techniques.

A third party waste audit is also currently underway at the University that will determine McMaster's diversion rate. This report will show the amount of discarded materials diverted from landfills through recycling and composting initiatives.

For more information on recycling at McMaster, please visit the Sustainability Office website. Their recycling information page can be accessed here.