What is the Office of Recycling and Waste Management (ORWM) doing on campus?
We are diverting tons of material from the landfill each year, increasing each year. The five are: white office paper, mixed office paper, newspaper, cardboard, and plastics. We are using the 2006-2007 year as our baseline for increasing our capture rate and our sustainability.
What is the function of ORWM?
Our Mission Statement is: “By continuously moving from reliance on solid waste disposal to programs in waste reduction, reuse, recycling and recycled product procurement, we contribute to a comprehensive, campus-wide waste reduction strategy which helps MSU use resources more efficiently; simultaneously reducing the volume, cost, and environmental impacts of the university’s waste.”
UP
What is the current recycling situation on MSU?
Housing and Food Services has just finished establishing our comprehensive recycling program in all of the Residence Halls and kitchens on campus. The program includes: white office paper, mixed office paper, newspaper, #1 and #2 plastics, cardboard, boxboard, and metal from the kitchens. Boxboard and metal were included because of the volume. They will not be collected in academic buildings at this time.
Academic and Operation buildings will have a recycling program by the end of 2008. These buildings will only focus on the five materials. The goal is consistency. As Kathy Lindahl says, “Some buildings are collecting some of the materials, some are collected none, some are collecting all of the materials. We want all buildings collecting all of these materials.”
We also have our Education Team working hard on developing a consistent, clear message to campus. We are working in partnership with the campaign for environmental stewardship on campus. Together we are working towards a “true transformation to carry forward the values of teaching, education and outreach on a global scale.”
“In 2005, Michigan State University was issued a unique challenge by President Lou Anna K. Simon to move the institution from land-grant to world-grant by 2012. She named this strategic vision Boldness By Design…. Environmental Stewardship was among the programs that were implemented under the umbrella of Boldness By Design. Instead of making a simple change to increase recycling or use less energy, the leaders of this initiative promised to be truly bold and make systemic changes in the way that we understood and addressed environmental stewardship. A systems team which included students, faculty and staff studied inputs to campus, campus systems & processes and outputs leaving the campus. Using this approach, the environmental stewardship systems team explored challenges from technical, cost, and behavior perspectives. This approach boats the uniqueness of having student/faculty/staff collaboration, institutional support and a holistic, process driven approach to environmental stewardship.”
Learn about the projects, news resources, and other information about the Be Spartan Green effort.
UP
Why should I recycle? What are the benefits of recycling?
The biggest benefit of recycling anything is that it does not end up in our landfills. By recycling materials, we not only keep them out of the landfill, but we also are making a reusable item. For example, by recycling paper, we make more paper, thus decreasing the need to cut down more trees.
As a university, we are able to collect the recyclables and send them to the appropriate facilities in buck. This action cuts down the energy used to transport the materials, resulting in some revenue for the Office of Recycling.
In the end, the best way to help the earth is to not use the material in the first place. Think twice before you print something, couldn’t you just keep an electronic copy?
UP
How is recycling sustainable on a transient university campus?
A consistent, clear message and full-time employees dedicated to the recycling effort help maintain a sustainable recycling program. As we work with the Residence Halls, we are creating Environmental Steward Teams made up of students, faculty, and staff. This team is responsible for monitoring the needs and maintenance of their building. If you would like to join the team for your building, please contact us.
UP
What are some things I can do as an MSU student?
- You can join the Environmental Steward Team in your Residence Hall or the Academic building you spend your time in.
- If you live off-campus, locate your city's recycling center.
- Take the time to learn what can and cannot go into specific recycling containers.
- Provide feedback to your Residence Hall Mentor or Manager on how you feel the program is working.
- You can join one of the many student recycling organizations on campus.
- Use a water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
- Use both sides of a piece of paper before you recycle it.
- Turn off your computer, printer, space heaters, fans and other electronics, when you are away from your room for more than one hour.
- Make sure to turn of the lights when you leave a room.
- Buy recycled products.
UP
Can I bring in my recycled materials or do they have to be picked up?
Materials already collected in your building can be picked up during our regular stops.
If you have a material we take, but do not collect on campus you will need to bring it to our Recycling Facility. These materials may include: boxboard, glass, metal, etc. Please contact us for specific information.
We do not collect returnables and suggest a group from your building collects them for fundraising.
UP
I'm University staff, can I bring my recycled materials from home?
No. The campus recycling program is designed for University generated materials only. Please contact your local community for information about recycling options. If you live on campus, please check out the Residence Hall or University Apartments information.
UP
How can I get more involved in recycling?
If you are here on campus, become an Environmental Steward. These wonderful folks are stewards for their buildings in waste and energy reduction and recycling increase. You can help us distribute important information about issues that arise. Interested in becoming an Environmental Steward? Please contact us.
At home, contact your local community for information about getting involved in recycling. Often, they are searching for volunteers for special collection events and other projects.
UP
How do I know if something is recyclable?/What can I put in my recycling containers?
Check out the In the Office section under "What Can I Recycle?" If you still have questions, please contact us.
UP
About how long does it take for my pick-up request to be serviced?
For Refuse, we radio calls to our drivers as soon as possible. The request is put into the queue for their regular route and is generally completed within 1-2 BUSINESS days.
For Recycling, generally, we have a 3-5 BUSINESS day turnaround for special requests called into our office. If you have special circumstances, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Do you have a question(s) not mentioned here? Contact us and we will try our best to find you an answer! |
National Geographic Article: 
Reusable items call:
