University increases, improves recycling

Morgan Conklin
Summer Reporter

With nearly 3,000 recycling bins and trailers located around campus, it is not a surprise that Purdue is able to recycle 1,400 tons of material on a yearly basis.

This past year, Purdue recycled over 1,100 tons of paper products, five tons of steel scraps, 23 tons of hardback books and another 88 tons of confidential material. And on any given day, Purdue is responsible for recycling two and a half tons of cardboard, said Joel Zarate, refuse and recycling coordinator.

"The amount of materials the University recycled has increased by 120 tons this year and the numbers keep on going up, said Jeff Bordner, operation supervisor. "It is awareness more than anything. More people are finding out and learning about recycling."

"We advocate not only recycling, but also reduction," said Zarate. "It is significant to know that when you look at Purdue and how much the population has grown on campus, the materials we are discarding to landfills are being reduced. It is commendable that the community is taking an active role in being conscientious of the environment and doing their part."

Sixty-five percent of the total amount of recycled material comes from the residence halls, said Gary Williams, University residences coordinator for recycling, said "We try to get student involvement in the residence halls by placing containers on the floors to collect the different recyclable commodities."

Last school year, 101,900 pounds of glass, plastic and steel were recycled from the residence halls.

Also, a new project called the SoilerMaker Program will use the left over food from the residence hall cafeterias as a source for topsoil. Combined with leaves, brush and other natural materials, the unused food will be composted and mixed with dirt. As a result, topsoil will be produced.

Jody Tishmack, physical facilities gravel pit development coordinator, said, "This is a new idea but an old practice. Composting is not as widely practiced in our country as it could be."

She said the fact that Purdue is operating a large composting facility and manufacturing its own topsoil is a new concept. "I don’t know of any other University doing this at the scale we are."

As of now, Purdue is also looking to make an area on campus where metals can be processed before being shipped off to the recycling area. If the University bails its own metal, they will make more money when they bring it in. It is hoped that this process will begin with the start of the fall semester, said Bordner.

Williams said, "Recycling is an excellent idea and I am glad that Purdue is actively participating in spaceship Earth. Unless we recycle more then we waste we will be living on a garbage heap and will have limited resources."

"This should not be passed off as someone else’s problem; as time goes by people will realize that recycling should be everyone’s responsibility."