Recycling at NYU

CompostMixed Recycling Landfill Techno Scrap

CLICKERS EXPLANATION

• How do we use these clickers?

• We’ll test your knowledge with some fun multiple choice questions about Recycling at NYU & Puck

• You’ll work in small groups to vote on the answer

• Now let’s try them out!

What is the percentage of NYU’s landfill waste that could be recycled?

a) 20%

b) 30%

c) 40%

d) 50%

And the answer is…

What is the percentage of NYU’s landfill waste that could be recycled?

a) 20%

b) 30% - which is not so bad! NYU already recycles 30% of its waste, so the ideal would be to recycle about 50% of all trash at the university.

c) 40%

d) 50%

Which of the following is true about recycling at NYU?

a) Make sure to remove staples and tape from paper

b) Containers should be pre-washed until spotless

c) If you add an incorrect item into the recycling, it ruins the whole bin

d) It’s ok to throw cardboard, plastic, glass and metal into the same receptacle

And the answer is…

Which of the following is true about recycling at NYU?

a) Make sure to remove staples and tape from paper – small amounts are fine

b) Containers should be pre-washed until spotless – a few specks are ok

c) If you add an incorrect item into the recycling, it ruins the whole bin – If you’re not sure, put it in recycling and it can be sorted out later.

d) It’s ok to throw cardboard, plastic, glass and metal into the same receptacle – Fact!

Mixed RecyclingGeneral Info:• NYU collects all mixed recycling together: paper, plastic, glass,

and metal• Action Carting provides recycling services at NYU. Since it’s a

private vendor, NYU is able to recycle many more items than NYC! (ex: type 1-7 plastics and plastic bags)

• CBS is responsible for collecting recycling at Puck. NYU Sustainability monitors them to make sure they comply.

Things to keep in mind:• Reduce > Reuse > Recycle• Small amounts of tape or staples are ok• Small specks of food are ok• When in doubt, recycle it!

Mixed Recycling

All Paper & Cardboard• newspapers• paper bags• junk mail, catalogs, magazines, scrap paper, and packaging• pizza boxes• all cardboard products

Mixed Recycling

All Plastics & Plastic Films • plastic bags (any color)• bottles• rinsed milk/juice cartons• rinsed food storage containers• plastic utensils• plastic film/wrap incl. air filled packaging

NYU recycles all type 1-7 plastics!

Glass• any glass items except window panes and light bulbs

Metals• cans• foil• rinsed food storage containers• wire hangers, pots, pans, tools, curtain rods, pipes,

aerosol cans, small appliances that are mostly metal

Mixed Recycling

Which of the following is NOT ok to throw in the techno scrap bin?

a) Stray computer parts

b) Cell phones and digital cameras

c) Fluorescent light bulbs

d) VHS tapes, diskettes, cassettes, and jewel cases

e) Inkjet and toner cartridges

And the answer is…

Which of the following is NOT ok to throw in the techno scrap bin?

a) Stray computer parts

b) Cell phones, digital cameras, and batteries

c) Fluorescent light bulbs – Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) are collected separately. Please email Client Services Center to recycle (contactcsc@nyu.edu)

d) VHS tapes, diskettes, cassettes, and jewel cases

e) Inkjet and toner cartridges

Techno Scrap Recycling• stray computer parts (keyboard, mouse, etc)• cell phones • vhs tapes • cassettes • diskettes • cd’s & dvd’s • jewel cases• cables and wiring • batteries • ink jet & toner cartridges • digital cameras

Which of the following is compostable?

a) Plastic bags and packaging

b) Leftover coffee and drinks

c) Food soiled paper

d) Paper towels used for cleaning surfaces

And the answer is…

Which of the following is compostable?

a) Plastic bags and packaging – no plastic!

b) Leftover coffee and drinks – no liquids!

c) Food soiled paper – Throw it in d) Paper towels used for cleaning surfaces

– no cleaning chemicals in the compost, please!

Compost

• Compost is organic matter that can be recycled and used as a fertilizer after it has decomposed

• In 2008, a Waste Characterization Report found that 59% of waste generated by the NYU community is compostable

• Now NYU is the likely the largest institutional composter in Manhattan

• Compost at NYU is collected and brought to McEnroe Organic Farm in Millerton, NY

• all food (including meat and dairy) • coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags • food-soiled paper (napkins, towels, plates, etc.) • compostable silverware, plates, cups, etc.

Compost

(Do NOT compost anything plastic or liquid)

Now let’s see what we’ve learned…

Imagine that you have just finished your Whole Foods take-out.

Where does your trash go?

In which bin do you throw each item?

Recycling

Recycling RecyclingRecycling

Compost Compost

Compost

Zero items went in the landfill bin!

Where to Recycle EverythingPaper & Plastic / Compost

• Silver bins in conference rooms labeled “Mixed Recycling” and “Compost”

• Large bins inside cabinets across from Student Project Rooms on 2nd floor (for paper & plastic)

• Large bin in pantry room (for compost)• Every desk has a small recycling bin which is not collected. We all

must bring recycling/compost to the large bins

Landfill (Garbage)• Silver bins in conference rooms labeled “Landfill”• Trash cans at individual desks

Techno Scrap• Black bin next to mixed recycling cabinets on 2nd floor; black bin near

top of stairs on 3rd floor

For More Information

• NYU Sustainability Quicklinks from the NYU Sustainability site:• Recycling• Compost• Techno Scrap• Lightbulbs, Textbooks, Furniture, Books, Clothing, etc.

• EPA Composting Guide• EPA Recycling Guide

Join the NYU Sustainability Advocates Team!

What we do:•Help reduce the footprint of NYU’s operations by learning strategies for energy reduction and more efficiently using resources

•Share this information and discuss/generate new ideas with others at Wagner such as the Wagner Environmental Policy and Action (WEPA) Student Group

•Meet like-minded staff at other parts of the university through fun and informational events

How to join:•Fill out simple online application•Attend a lunchtime training

Initiatives include:•Meatless Mondays•NYU Bike Share•Earth Week in April

Check out the website here: http://www.nyu.edu/sustainability/get.involved/advocates/

Thank you for listening!

• If you have any questions, feel free to ask Pat Eaton or Pamela Kavalam.