Recycling at SMU  

The Big Picture 

SMU contributes 6,700 tons of trash to landfills annually! Single stream recycling allows us to recycle 4,100 tons of that which means reducing the landfill contributions to only 2,600 tons annually! (a 60% reduction)    

Single stream recycling allows SMU to decrease        the amount of trash we currently send to the city landfills and increase         the amount of materials we send to local recyclers!!!   

Separating and collecting these materials is a logistic nightmare and requires continual effort from everybody. Frankly, there is no efficient way to do it. With Single stream recycling, everything you throw in a trash can (other than wet trash and food waste) is recyclable material.. Single stream recycling takes advantage of the fact that these recyclable materials can be commingled when collected and then separated later at the recycling center. So much of the dry trash produced at SMU can now be recycled!

 What’s in it for me? 

a.       No more small white recycling box to get in your way.

b.      No more hunting for recycling containers around campus.

c.       All of the trash in your trashcan will be recycled including: paper, plastics, aluminum cans, steel containers, metals, newspaper, glass, corrugated cardboards, telephone books, soft cover books and other paper products. (Remember no wet goods or food waste.)

d.      You are instantly a greater recycling participant, helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and increasing the amount of materials recycled -- all with  much less effort than active recycling!  

 HOW “SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING” WORKS!

~The particulars 

1.                  Each building will have designated collection containers for wet trash and food waste.
a.       These containers will be located in hallways, classrooms and   kitchen/kitchenettes.
b.      The containers in these areas will be lined with black trash bags.
c.       These black trash bags will be collected nightly by the SMU custodial staff and placed in the University Park dumpsters to be hauled to landfills. 
d.      In some locations where UP dumpsters are not located, SMU staff will collect the trash bags and take them to the landfills.

2.                  All other trashcans will be for the collection of recyclable material. 
a.       These trashcans will be lined with clear plastic bags only.
b.      The clear bags from these trashcans will be collected nightly by the SMU custodial staff and placed in recycling collection areas.
c.       These clear bags will then be collected daily by the SMU staff and taken to a local recycling plant.  

 Progress is possible with your participation 

The proposed program will be successful if we all do our part.  Single stream recycling is a point-of-use recycling program, so it will be our responsibility to ensure its success.   If you have any questions concerning single stream recycling call Robert Taylor at    8-2028.  For disposal of large amounts of cardboard please break down the boxes then contact the work order desk (no charge) at 8-3494.  
 Thanks for all your efforts in helping us help the environment!

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