Recycling FAQ

------------------- Why Recycle? ------------
An average of over 350 million beverage containers are landfilled, incinerated or littered
every day nationwide.

Americans threw out just shy of three million tons of household electronics in 2006.
This so-called e-waste is the fastest-growing part of the municipal waste stream.

Each year, Americans throw out almost 180,000 tons of batteries.

 Why add to the wastefulness when you can actively make a difference?

----- How Can I Help?  -----
You can recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum or used batteries in any marked containers. Please clean out any plastic, glass or aluminum containers before recycling them.  Do not throw food waste in with recyclables. Do not mix recycled materials. Contaminated materials cannot be recycled. Contact the Recycling Program if you want to help with recycling efforts on campus. And to help even further, check the links below for information on recycling in your own community.

----- Where are recycling containers located?   -----                   
There are multiple recycling containers on each floor throughout campus. They are labeled accordingly (Green for plastic/glass/aluminum and Blue for paper products).  Battery recycling tubes are located in the lobbies of each main building. And for our residents in 731 S. Plymouth dormitories, there are recycling containers on each floor (near the garbage chute).

----- How can I get recycling in my office/department? -----
There are  limited supplies as far as some of our recycling programs go. We can provide desk-side boxes and battery containers if requested. As for Paper and Mixed Recycling, we would have to assess the output in your area before we could order or deliver more containers.

----- Who is recycling my desk-side box? -----                     
The American Building Maintenance (ABM) staff is aiding our student workers in this area. The desk-side program is geared towards personal office recycling. Therefore, we have the cleaning staff handle those areas when they do their nightly office cleaning. We assure you that what goes into your box is being recycled. Make sure your box is placed visibly so it can be emptied. Please contact us with any questions or comments about this program.

----- When does my recycling get emptied?  -----                       
Recycling is a student work program. We have students working to collect the recycling materials, come up with innovative ideas to promote the program, and make suggestions for improvement. We make our students put school first.  Due to that, recycling is not on any set schedule. But be assured that each building gets recycled at least once a week. If there is a problem with the pick-ups, please contact us for assistance.

--What about shredded paper or How do I deal with my paper shredder?--
View our Office Recycling link for our procedures and recycling pick-ups.

----- How do I know what I recycle is actually being recycled?-----
The Recycling Program staff collects a multitude of materials for recycling. Our recycling program staff collects, sorts, and readies for recycling according to the material. 

Here are the companies we employ for recycling our material:
Paper/Plastic/Glass/Aluminum:  Recycling Services Incorporated www.recyclingservices.com
Batteries: Retrofit http://www.retrofitcompanies.com/
Flourescent Light Bulbs: Everlights http://www.everlights.com/
TechnoTrash: Unitec Recycling Corporation http://www.unitecrecycling.com/index.html
Computers/Electronics: Vintage Tech Recyclers http://www.vintagetechrecyclers.com/default.aspx

                          ---What do the numbers on plastic bottles mean?-----

RESIN CODES
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE/PET #1)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE #2)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC #3)
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE #4)
Polypropylene (PP #5)
Polystyrene (PS #6)
Other (#7)

We recycle all types of plastic except #6, or it's most common form StyroFoam. That is the only type of plastic not accepted in many recycling collections across the country. The most common plastics are #1 and 2, used in beverage containers. Be conscious, please look before you recycle.

---Where can I find information regarding recycling programs in Chicago or the surrounding area?
Chicago Recycling Coalition also has an informative web site:  http://www.chicagorecycling.org/. The CRC is an independent organization that offers information on recycling or reusing a mutlitude of products at locations throughout Chicago, suburban, and state facilities.

City of Chicago Blue Cart Program: www.bluecartschicago.org. Blue Carts are a new neighborhood recycling project.

----- Columbia Recycling Program Mission Statement -----
Columbia College Chicago is committed to creating a greener campus and a greener world. We believe that it is the responsibility of each individual and every institution to work to reduce landfill waste. To that end, Columbia College's Office of Campus Environment conserves and reuses as many resources as possible. The office has also established an aggressive recycling program including paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic and will continue to proactively educate and engage the community to live consciously and participate in the Columbia Recycling Program and to make environmentally friendly choices on and off of campus.

Make it a habit. Pitch in!