This page's main content:

Recycling

Wikipedia defines recycling as “…the reprocessing of materials into new products. Recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence greenhouse gas emissions, compared to virgin production.[1] Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management and is the third component of the waste hierarchy.”

What have we done?

• Paper is being collected in most areas of the campus and recycled by Weyerhaeuser. In 2007, this was estimated to be about 127 tons/yr.
• Cardboard is collected from across campus and compacted separately at the MBSC dock.
• Electronics and used computers are either redistributed on campus, or for those items that are antiquated or unusable, processed by a recycling vendor.
• Fluorescent tubes, HID Bulbs and PCB lighting ballasts are recycled by a licensed vendor.
• Batteries are recycled either at the point of purchase (of replacement batteries), or are delivered to a local vendor for recycling.
• Aerosol cans are typically punctured and the contents collected (for disposal as hazardous waste). The empty puncture cans are then offered for recycling.
• Scrap metal is collected at various campus locations then recycled when enough volume is present to make this feasible.
• Waste concrete from the structures lab is sometimes used as fill/bank stabilization material.
• Aluminum cans are collected by select student groups or others.
• A solid waste sort was conducted on the Dodge location to identify the typical contents of our solid wastestream. Details are available from the Environmental Club of UNO web site.
• The University is currently investigating the expansion of recycling to potentially include a single-stream system (similar to the City of Omaha’s), through FirStar Fiber. When an evaluation has been completed, it will be widely shared with the campus community and posted on this site.

What can we do?

• A Recycling Ad-Hoc Committee from Business and Finance is currently evaluating proposals from waste haulers to examine an expanded campus recycling program. The outcomes of these evaluations will be made public as soon as they are complete.
• Individually, you can participate in your trash collector’s recycling program and/or collect recyclables and deliver to one of several recycling centers.
• Remember that recycling is the third “r.” Attempt first to reduce (consumption) and reuse before recycling.
• Send electronic copies of files wherever possible, eliminating the need for consuming paper.
• Print and copy on both sides of paper to reduce consumption by 50%.
• Evaluate the need for automatically printed routine reports. Check with recipients to see if electronic copies will suffice.

More information:

City of Omaha Recycling

Firstar Fiber

Nebraska State Recycling Association

National Recycling Coalition - College and University Recycling Council