Use the trash cans, save many trees |
By Bridget Brave |
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The SIUE University Recycling Program has saved more than 8,500 trees since its beginning in 1992. To put in lay terms, that's more than 500 tons of paper, or 1,500 cubic feet of landfill space. The recycling program has recycled more than 1.5 million tons of materials and may reach the 2 million mark this year with the cooperation of students, staff and faculty. Recycling bins can be found in campus classrooms, offices, hallways, in vending areas and near trash cans. University Park and University Housing have separate recycling programs. Materials such as mixed office paper, aluminum cans, cardboard, newspapers and magazines can be recycled through the university program. The red containers for mixed office paper can be found in most classrooms and campus offices. Aluminum can recycle bins are blue and located in classrooms, offices and in most vending areas. Newspapers and magazines can be placed in the large green bins in the hallways and are collected on a weekly basis. Most recyclable materials are collected Tuesdays and Thursdays on a weekly basis. A full schedule of collection times and places can be accessed on the Environmental Health and Safety Web site at http://ehs.siue.edu. The most serious problem facing the university's recycling programs is contamination. Contaminated materials often end up in landfills because of the complications of removing the contaminates. Anything that has been soiled by food or drink items should be considered trash and disposed of properly. If you are a University Housing resident, you can access recycling information at http://www.siue.edu/HOUSING/recycle2.html. Call 659-9300 for University Park recycling information. | |