IU isn’t dumping your recycling

Maybe you heard and even passed along the rumor that contents of recycling bins on campus are dumped in with the trash. But it is only that—a rumor.

“That’s an urban myth,” says Steve Akers, associate director of RPS environmental operations. “I can assure you that things are being recycled for sure through our vendor. It’s actually against the law to not recycle in the state of Indiana.”

The mix-up might be due to one of two reasons, Steve says. First, the same trucks pick up both waste and recycling at different times of the day. Second, dumping trash into the wrong bin turns recycling into waste.

“If my staff gets recycling and someone threw a pizza in it or trash in it, we’re not allowed to decontaminate it,” Steve says.  

“MY APARTMENT DOES NOT RECYCLE!”

Larry Barker, executive director of Monroe County Solid Waste Management District, says “The biggest problem has always been apartment complexes don’t have space. They’re unwilling to use one parking space.” Interestingly, they are willing to use a parking space for waste disposal.

Larry suggests students take recycling to either the Westside Recycling Center at 341 N. Oard Road, the South Walnut Street Recycling Center at 3400 S. Walnut St., or onto campus.

If you would like your apartment complex to start recycling, Steve suggests talking to your landlord.

WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED?
Plastics 1-7
Aluminum
Glass
Paper
Cardboard
(Electronics, batteries, light bulbs, and printer cartridges at designated locations only)

WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN BE MADE?
Recycling two aluminum cans saves enough energy to power a PC for one workday.

Five plastic soda bottles are enough to insulate one ski jacket.

Recycling one glass jar saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.