posted on March 6: Recycling program fully operational by September, forum told
The University is committed to having a complete recycling program in place by September.
Participants at a campus recycling forum heard Tuesday that complete implementation of the recycling program has been hampered by a delay in delivery of bins.
“We are disappointed with the progress to date with recycling,” said Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. “There have been difficulties with the handling of the delivery of bins. We continue to press hard on that but it just hasn't been fast enough.”
Tony Cupido, the new director of physical plant, said that he is committed to implementing a full recycling program and has set September as a target.
About 35 people attended the two-hour forum organized by the McMaster Green Coalition and the OPIRG waste reduction group (opirg@mcmaster.ca). The discussion was held because of concern that the University's recycling program is not fully functioning, said spokesperson Tanya Raha.
Recycling was reinstated last November with the introduction of new stainless steel containers in 15 outdoor locations around campus. The containers, with clearly marked sections, accommodate regular garbage, paper (except cardboard), glass and metal. Offices continue to have small pails available for recycling paper.
The University has contracted with OMG Ltd. to provide the stainless steel containers – estimated to cost about $1700 each – and has an agreement that allows for advertising to be placed on the containers.
Physical plant had hoped to have the indoor stainless steel bins installed around campus by now but delivery problems stalled the plan.
Risk management services director Ron Angus told the forum that 220 blue recycling drums were removed after the fire department issued a number of orders pertaining to fire safety in 1999. More than 50 recycling bins remain at campus locations approved by the fire department. (Go to the physical plant Web site and click on “More” to find a listing of recycling bin locations.)
Physical plant senior manager Jan Callfas welcomed student involvement in promoting the recycling message.
Third-year biology student Stephanie Herod at herods@ppims.services.mcmaster.ca has been hired on a part-time basis to publicize environmental topics such as recycling and paper reduction.
Callfas said that people on campus seem to be less focused on using the recycling bins available and using them correctly. For example, garbage that goes into the recycling section of a bin contaminates all the recyclable material, she noted.
“We need to make sure we make the best possible use of the facilities that we have in place,” Callfas said.
A limited waste audit conducted earlier this year showed that about 42 per cent of the waste generated on campus can be diverted into existing recycling programs, Callfas said.
Some faculty members expressed concerns that their efforts to recycle paper are fruitless because they believe recycled material gets mixed in with regular garbage by physical plant staff even though it has been initially separated.
Callfas said physical plant staff use black bags for garbage and blue bags for recyclables when collecting waste but some may not be following the proper procedures.
“We need to improve on the communication we have with staff so they stay committed and know the big picture,” she said.
Callfas said there is currently no cost to recycling cans, bottles, glass, plastic and cardboard, but it costs the University about $350 a week to recycle fine paper.
