Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day, so what better time to learn how you can be part of UA’s sustainability success?
Show School Pride, Team Spirit
The UA community is rightfully proud of having a campus ranked among the most beautiful in the nation. Recycling helps maintain that beauty by reducing garbage and encouraging sustainability.
“Recycling is a team effort, and our recycling team relies on everyone to do their part on campus. By everyone deciding to recycle, this will help us maintain a clean campus and have a sustainable impact on our campus environment,” said Tyreece Hampton, director of logistical support services.
Know What’s Recyclable and Where to Take It
With thousands of recycling containers around campus and hundreds of collection points, UA also offers services to departments, and provides a drop-off area for students living off campus and members of the community to recycle paper, cardboard, aluminum, scrap metal, glass and plastics.
Perhaps you’re hesitant for fear you will discard the wrong thing. UA’s recycling department makes it easy by providing an online brochure with lists of what common items can and cannot be accepted.
UA recycles many things that can be difficult to recycle elsewhere, including plastics with recycling number 1-7, as well as car batteries, motor oil, printer cartridges and e-waste.
Save Money and the Environment
Recycling saves money in more than one way. It costs money to send trash to the landfill. Every pound of plastic, cardboard, aluminum and other materials kept out of landfills and sold as recyclables instead is a savings. In fiscal year 2020, according to Hampton, recycling materials brought in an average of $201.53 per ton. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, UA’s recycling program saved money and provided revenue.
- Tons of recycling diverted from the local landfill: 1,228.76
- Revenue generated from the sale of recycling materials: $167,400.57
- Landfill fee saving: $34,405.28
- Performing in-house shredding services (free to departments): $190,980.00
- Total revenue plus cost savings: $397,720.83
Additionally, 17,000 pounds of food waste went to the UA Arboretum for composting last year.
Through composting, recycling and other sustainability efforts, UA saves water, oil, electricity and trees. Learn more about how you can be a part of UA’s green momentum.