Posted on Nov. 27: Recycling 101: don’t contaminate trash

Pop quiz: True or false

Coffee cups cannot be recycled

Fine paper bins located in offices should be used to recycle paper only

Newspaper, fine paper, envelopes and sticky pads can be put together in the paper recycling containers

Contamination renders the entire recycling bin as garbage

If you answered false to any of these questions, you may need a lesson in proper recycling.

While McMaster's newly reinstated recycling program is one step closer to making the University more environmentally friendly, without the knowledge of how to recycle, these efforts may as well be trashed, says Stephanie Herod, a physical plant environmental student representative who is working with OMG Media to ensure that new recycling bins are installed throughout campus.

Tossing garbage into the wrong bin can contaminate the entire container, she says.

“Physical Plant can get this going but nothing can get recycled unless people do it correctly,” she says. “People need to be educated about what goes in what bins and we need to generate enthusiasm in people to want to recycle.”

More than 75 new recycling bins have been placed around campus. The new receptacles are equipped with separate fine paper/newspaper, cans/bottles, and garbage bins.

Herod supports the strides the University has taken, but believes there is still much work to be done. “There needs to be more education of faculty, staff and students on proper recycling procedures, new bins must be bought, contracts with the recycling companies must be updated, and the program must be keenly monitored. It will need a lot of help, especially in its baby' years,” she remarks.

So far, the response has been great, she says. “The environmental community has grown just in the past four years that I have been here.” Eventually, Herod hopes to go into first-year residences to talk to students about how to recycle properly. “A lot of people want to recycle, but they don't know how.”

Herod has some tips and pointers on proper recycling:

Black bag: garbage; Clear bag: recycling
Newspaper, fine paper (coloured, white, lined), envelopes and sticky pads can all be put together in the paper recycling containers
Coffee cups, juice boxes, fountain pop containers and yogurt containers are not recyclable
McMaster has three separate streams of recycling: paper; cans/bottles (aluminum, plastic, glass); cardboard. All three must be kept separate from each other

For more information on recyling at McMaster and to find the closest recycling bin near you, visit
http://www.ppims.services.mcmaster.ca/pplantnew/index.htm

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Pop quiz: True or false<ul><br />
<br />
<li>Coffee cups cannot be recycled</li><br />
<li>Fine paper bins located in offices should be used to recycle paper only</li><br />
<li>Newspaper, fine paper, envelopes and sticky pads can be put together in the paper recycling containers</li><br />
<li>Contamination renders the entire recycling bin as garbage</li></ul> <br />
<br />
If you answered false to any of these questions, you may need a lesson in proper recycling.<p><br />
<br />
While McMaster&#039;s newly reinstated recycling program is one step closer to making the University more environmentally friendly, without the knowledge of how to recycle, these efforts may as well be trashed, says Stephanie Herod, a physical plant environmental student representative who is working with OMG Media to ensure that new recycling bins are installed throughout campus.<p><br />
<br />
Tossing garbage into the wrong bin can contaminate the entire container, she says.<p><br />
<br />
"Physical Plant can get this going but nothing can get recycled unless people do it correctly," she says. "People need to be educated about what goes in what bins and we need to generate enthusiasm in people to want to recycle."<p><br />
<br />
More than 75 new recycling bins have been placed around campus. The new receptacles are equipped with separate fine paper/newspaper, cans/bottles, and garbage bins.<p><br />
<br />
Herod supports the strides the University has taken, but believes there is still much work to be done. "There needs to be more education of faculty, staff and students on proper recycling procedures, new bins must be bought, contracts with the recycling companies must be updated, and the program must be keenly monitored. It will need a lot of help, especially in its baby&#039; years," she remarks.<p><br />
<br />
So far, the response has been great, she says. "The environmental community has grown just in the past four years that I have been here." Eventually, Herod hopes to go into first-year residences to talk to students about how to recycle properly. "A lot of people want to recycle, but they don&#039;t know how."<p><br />
<br />
Herod has some tips and pointers on proper recycling:<ul><br />
<br />
<li><b>Black bag:</b> garbage; <b>Clear bag:</b> recycling</li><br />
<br />
<li>Newspaper, fine paper (coloured, white, lined), envelopes and sticky pads can all be put together in the paper recycling containers</li><br />
<br />
<li>Coffee cups, juice boxes, fountain pop containers and yogurt containers are not recyclable</li><br />
<br />
<li>McMaster has three separate streams of recycling: paper; cans/bottles (aluminum, plastic, glass); cardboard. All three must be kept separate from each other</li></ul><br />
<br />
For more information on recyling at McMaster and to find the closest recycling bin near you, visit <a href="http://ppims.services.mcmaster.ca/pplantnew/index.htm"><br />
http://www.ppims.services.mcmaster.ca/pplantnew/index.htm</a>

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