Recycling is ramping up on the Tempe campus, with programs to be instituted in residence halls by next week.
At least some type of recycling program will be adopted in 75 percent of the halls, said Bonny Bentzin, manager of University sustainability business practices at the Global Institute of Sustainability.
The overall goal of the recycling program at the Tempe campus is to divert 50 to 60 percent of consumer waste from landfills, she said.
The new recycling program at the residence halls will include providing a blue bin for each room in the halls that do not currently have one.
Engineering freshman David Rux is a resident in Hayden Hall.
“I do not mind taking out recycling, it is my mess,” he said.
He said he would like to see the recycling compactor used during move-in week placed back next to the trash compactor.
Bentzin said the ASU recycling program is currently working on placing recycling compactors next to the trash compactors at the different residence halls on a permanent basis. Bentzin said it would be the responsibility of students to empty their blue bin in the recycling compactor.
Emptying personal recycling bins is different from how departments on campus recycle. The custodial staff campus is responsible for emptying out recycling bins. Bentzin said leaving it up to the students to empty out their recycling bins was a cost saving decision.
The recycling program was revamped in August to meet the demand of recycling bins that were being requested by ASU departments.
“People wanted to see a more prevalent and robust recycling program,” Bentzin said.
One key aspect of the revamped recycling program included introducing commingled bins to ASU departments/buildings.
Commingled bins allows for recyclable items to be disposed of in one bin. Items like aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, cartons, plastic containers and even hardback books can now be recycled together. Before, recyclable items were disposed of in separate bins.
Along with being able to throw recyclable items into one bin, Bentzin said commingled bins will be placed next to trash bins to make it more convenient for students to throw away recyclable items.
Biology freshman Andie Hall, a resident at Best Hall, said recycling at ASU is easier because she can recycle more types of items.
Despite the convenience, commingled bins have the risk of contamination of recyclables. An audit conducted in 2007 found the average fluid weight of garbage cans was 15 percent, according to the ASU recycling Web site.
In order to prevent contamination of recyclables, the recycling program is promoting the “Drink It or Sink It” message, which asks individuals to “consume/use all of the liquids in beverage containers or empty them in a kitchen or bathroom sink,” according to the Web site.
Although the ASU recycling program does not currently accept batteries and glass, the program is working to accommodate these items in the future, Bentzin said.
“It is only successful if people help the program by recycling,” she said.
Reach the reporter at carlos.bravo@asu.edu.
