About Recyclemania
To view or download the FAQ as an Adobe PDF, click here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know what can be recycled and what is trash?
- Here is what can be recycled:
- Paper: you can recycle all clean paper (printed paper, newspapers, telephone directories and magazines).
- Glass Bottles, Metal Cans, and Plastic Containers marked #1 and #2: these items are collected together – or co-mingled. You can place aluminum and other cans, glass, and plastic containers with #1 and #2 on the bottom into a single recycle bin.
- Cardboard: boxes should be flattened and placed separately (this saves lots of space) near your other trash, or wherever designated in your building. It will be picked up and baled.
- Everything else – for instance, paper contaminated with food, napkins, used cups, bathroom waste – is trash.
- How much does Penn recycle?
Penn recycles about 18% of its total waste stream, including paper, cardboard, glass and plastic. That equals about 1315 tons. At the Celebration on the Green in October 2007, Penn recycled nearly 1 ton of materials for a single event! In addition, Penn composts leaves collected on campus for reuse on the campus landscape and collects and recycles computers, printers, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. But we can do more! Our goal this year is to recycle at least 30% of our waste!
- What is RecycleMania?
- RecycleMania is an annual national collegiate recycling competition sponsored by the National Recycling Coalition. This year’s event runs from January 18 through March 28, 2009.
The goal is to encourage efforts to reduce the amount of waste created and draw attention to a variety of strategies to minimize waste. Over 400 colleges and universities will compete nationwide for trophies for largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, and the highest recycling rate. See www.recyclemaniacs.org.
- What is RecycleMania Climate Impacts?
The 58.6 million pounds of material recycled during RecycleMania 2008 prevented greenhouse gas emissions of 25,342 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) from entering the atmosphere. This equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that is approximately equivalent to:- 15,439 passenger cars not driven for one year
- 9,568,241 gallons of gasoline
- 196,038 barrels of oil
- 11,165 household electricity use for one year (number of households)
- 588 acres of forest preserved from deforestation
- 2,161,441 tree seedlings grown for 10 years
- Why is Penn participating in RecycleMania?
In 2007, President Gutmann signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. With President Gutmann’s signature, Penn is committing to development of a comprehensive sustainability plan by 2009. See Penn’s sustainability website at www.upenn.edu/greencampuspartnership for more information.) Joining RecycleMania provides another opportunity for Penn to decrease its carbon footprint, and it is the right thing to do for the University and the Planet!
- Will RecycleMania change how I currently recycle?
We hope so and we encourage you to recycle even more! Penn will report our total waste and recycling volumes to RecycleMania. The process of collection of waste and recycling will not change.
- What will happen during RecycleMania?
There will be special events during RecycleMania especially aimed at students in College Houses and Sansom Place. Additional information is available at: www.upenn.edu/recyclemania. Also, look for banners and signs across campus.
- I want to start (or improve) recycling in my department. What should I do?
For students in campus residences:
You should first talk with your RA, GA, SA or House Dean to find out how your building handles waste and recycling. They can help you with the logistics and make suggestions. Talk with your floor mates and suite mates about what you currently do to recycle and what you can do better.
If you see a problem or have further questions, you can send an email to recyclemania@pobox.upenn.edu.
You should first talk with your department head and your building administrator to find out how your building handles waste and recycling. They can help you with the logistics and also with how to order or obtain the right recycling containers for your school or center. Remember, you can really make a difference by recycling! It takes each of us!
If you see a problem or have further questions, you can send an email to recyclemania@pobox.upenn.edu.
How do I find out who my building administrator is?
You can check with your department to identify your building administrator, or you can check with Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) Area Managers who can direct you to the right person. For FRES Area Managers, see www.facilities.upenn.edu/aboutUs/opzoneam.php
- If I see a building on campus without recycling containers, is there anyone I can contact to encourage them to start recycling?
Thanks for noticing! Again, contact the building administrator or send a note to recyclemania@pobox.upenn.edu. We’ll follow up from there.
- I see Penn Housekeeping employees putting trash and recycling into the same container so why should I bother recycling?
Trash is collected in grey bags and recycling is collected in new blue bags. Penn Housekeeping employees move both waste and recycling from floors and offices to a central point for each building. They may use the same cart to transport the bags but the trash and recyclables are separated and taken to the correct locations.
- Why do the same trucks pick up trash and recycling?
Penn Facilities uses the same two trucks to pick up trash and recycling. This is an efficient (and sustainable) use of resources. Generally the trucks pick up waste in the morning and recyclables in the afternoon.
- Where does the recycling go?
Penn’s recyclables go to nearby Blue Mountain Recycling at 2904 Ellsworth Street in Philadelphia. See: www.bluemountainrecycling.com.
- What recycling containers should my school or center use? And who pays for them?
Each school and center determines what waste and recycling containers work best in their buildings and procures them. Contact your Building Administrator for more information.
- How do I recycle batteries?
The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) will pickup most types of batteries for disposal with the exception of alkaline batteries. See www.ehrs.upenn.edu/resources/waste/battery_disposal.html for more information. To request a pickup of used batteries you may submit an online waste pickup request form at www.ehrs.upenn.edu/chemwaste/.
Also, campus residences offer battery recycling at the Information Center Desks.
- Does Penn recycle computers?
Yes, Penn does! For more information on recycling computers (and erasing hard drives), see www.upenn.edu/computing/provider/recycle.html.
- What can I do to reduce waste?
You can do a lot!
· Drink from reusable coffee mugs or water bottles
· Print only when necessary, using the double sided option
· Shop with reusable bags
· Eat and store food with reusable containers, plates, silverware, etc.
· Purchase items with minimal packaging
· Check products for percentage of Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) before you purchase, especially paper products (i.e. printer paper)
· Inquire about programs to donate used printer cartridges (i.e. local schools)
· Support suppliers with a sustainability program.
- Is there somewhere on campus where I can get reusable bags?
Yes! Penn Dining offers both reusable bags and mugs at cost and you can find them at any Penn Dining location, including 1920 Commons, Houston Market, or Savory on Spruce. Penn Bookstore also offers both reusable bags and mugs.
Remember, plastic bags are not recyclable.
- Can I bring my own container to Penn Dining takeout?
Absolutely! In addition, 1920 Commons, Hill House, Kings Court English House and Steinhardt Hall, we offer takeout in compostable containers. At Houston Market, we also offer your food in compostable containers.
What you do really matters. Make a personal commitment to recycling.
Remember you can make a difference by recycling.
It takes each of us!
Questions about RecycleMania? Write to recyclemania@pobox.upenn.edu.
To view or download the FAQ as an Adobe PDF, click here.
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