Rap Video Showcases IUP Recycling Program Growth Across Campus
As part of the promotion of work done at IUP and to bring awareness to the issue of recycling, the university has created "Facts of the Matter," a rap music video about recycling. The lyrics are written by Michael Mann, the university's Facilities Operations coordinator. Watch the video.
As stewards of the environment, we are responsible for preserving and protecting our resources for ourselves and for future generations.
- IUP's Current Process
- What to Recycle
- How to Recycle
- Where to Recycle
- Recycling Audits
- Water Bottle Refill Stations
IUP's Current Process
IUP staff collects recyclables throughout each building approximately three to four times per week and takes them to designated collection containers outside. The Grounds Department then empties the containers three times per week and delivers the recycling to the Indiana County Recycling Center at no charge. We receive weight slips as receipts for documenting our efforts.
Additionally, IUP has been investigating the Single Stream methodology since it was first proposed by Waste Management to Indiana County and the University on February 5, 2013.
What to Recycle
Aluminum and Metal Containers
- All aluminum and metal beverage and food containers may be collected together
- Aerosol containers
- Bi-metal
Corrugated Cardboard (OCC)
- Any corrugated box which is not wax coated may be collected
Glass Products
- All colored glass bottles or jars from food or beverage products can be collected together. If in doubt whether a container is clear or colored, consider it colored.
- Clear glass containers need to be separated from colored glass.
Magazines
- Magazines will be collected separately from office paper and newspaper.
- Catalogs printed on glossy paper.
Newspapers
- All newspapers, including inserts, will be collected.
- Telephone books and IUP directories can be recycled with newspapers by placing in a designated bin or near office paper collection container. Covers do not need to be removed.
Office Paper
- Copy and typing paper: white or colored, including letterhead
- Computer paper: white or green bar
- Envelopes: plain, with cellophane windows or mailing labels
- Wrappers from reams of paper
- Adding machine tapes
- Pamphlets, brochures, and advertisements made from copy type paper
- NCR invoices
- Scratch and message pads, Post-It notes, and yellow tablet paper
- Accounting ledgers
- Tabulating and time cards
- Posters
- Manila and colored file folders
- Glossy Office Paper
Plastics #1 and #2
- Any #1 or #2 plastic container with a tapered neck
- Please remove lids
IUP Also Recycles:
- Used tires
- Used oil
- Used antifreeze
- Batteries - automobile & alkaline
- Surplus sales (such as furniture, electronics, miscellaneous)
- Toner cartridges
- Salvage vehicles
How to Recycle
All office paper products can be collected and recycled together. Custodial Services staff will provide a hanging recycling box for each office wastebasket for paper collection.
Remove paper clips and rubber bands from paper. Removal of staples is preferred but not required
Any suitable container may be designated as a collection box, but it must be clearly marked recycling, including what is to be recycled in that container.
A recycling collection box should be placed near each department's copier or printer.
Corrugated cardboard can be given to the housekeeping staff.
Glass and plastic containers need to have labels removed and should be rinsed routinely. Housekeeping staff will gather recyclable items from office collection containers and move them to a central collection site.
Collection sites for plastics, newspapers, and magazines will be identified for each building.
| Material | Residence Halls | Dining Halls | Academic and Admin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum / Metal | * | * | * |
| Cardboard | * | * | * |
| Glass | * | * | * |
| Magazines | * | * | |
| Newspapers | * | * | * |
| Office Paper | * | * | |
| Plastics 1 and 2 | * | * | * |
A collection of plastic items in the academic and service buildings will only be in buildings where plastic containers are used in vending machines.
Recycling Totals for Calendar Year 2016 (in pounds)
- Cardboard - 63,150
- Mixed Office Paper - 87,590
- Plastic - 10,020
- Ledger - 44,205
- Cans - 855
- Glass - 245
- Library Books - 14,020
IUP also recycled 41,980 pounds of brush and 97,440 pounds of leaves during calendar year 2016.
Items Recycled December 2016 (in pounds)
- Cardboard - 4,800
- Mixed Office Paper - 2,930
- Plastic - 750
- Ledger - 27,200
- Cans - 40
- Glass - 0
- Library Books - 0
Additionally, IUP recycled 7,440 pounds of leaves during December.
Items Recycled November 2016 (in pounds)
- Cardboard - 7,115
- Mixed Office Paper - 7,030
- Plastic - 1,1575
- Ledger - 17,000
- Cans - 55
- Glass - 25
- Library Books - 14,020
Additionally, IUP recycled 41,280 pounds of brush and 90,000 pounds of leaves during November.
Items Recycled October 2016 (in pounds)
- Cardboard - 5,710
- Mixed Office Paper - 10,805
- Plastic - 1,145
- Cans - 80
- Glass - 10
Additional Items Recycled in Fiscal Year 2015-16
Included in the items that were recycled during the past fiscal year were:
- 186 tires
- 25 vehicle batteries
- 741 gallons of oil
- 110 gallons of antifreeze
Recycling Audits
Recycling audits are performed two times each year. Information from the audits help identify how well we are doing with recycling and areas where improvement is needed.
There is a substantial opportunity to recycle more.
| Building | Total Waste | Total Recyclable |
% Recyclable |
Paper | Corrugated Cardboard | Recyclable Plastic | Glass | Aluminum Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruddock | 56.0 | 1.5 | 2.7 % | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
| Sutton | 19.2 | 6.2 | 32.3 % | 5.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Totals | 75.2 | 7.7 | 10.2 % | 5.6 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
10.2 percent of material in trash containers could have been recycled.
74.2 pounds of recyclables were collected at Miller Stadium during the football game on November 12, 2016. Efforts will continue to encourage recycling at the stadium.
| Building | Total Waste | Total Recyclable | % Recyclable | Paper | Corrugated Cardboard | Recyclable Plastic | Glass | Aluminum Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark | 10.5 | 2.4 | 22.9 % | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eberly | 31.4 | 20.0 | 63.7 % | 15.6 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Putt Suites | 25.0 | 6.2 | 24.8 % | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 |
| Sutton | 29.4 | 21.0 | 71.4 % | 19.0 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Totals | 96.3 | 49.6 | 51.5 % | 37.6 | 3.0 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
51.5 percent of material in trash containers could have been recycle
Water Bottle Refill Stations
Water bottle refill stations are a great way to reduce the number of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills. IUP is in the process of replacing older water drinking fountains with water bottle refill stations. Currently, refill stations are located in the following buildings:
- Folger
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Peirce
- Robertshaw
- Sutton
Make-A-Wish Wheels for Wishes
Wheels for Wishes is a car donation program benefiting Make-A-Wish Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This is an easy way to recycle or donate unwanted cars, trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, RVs, or even boats, by turning them into a wish for a local child. See the Wheels for Wishes site for additional information.