Lauren Brois January 29th, 2009

Recycling on Campus

Q. Does New Paltz recycle?

Yes, New Paltz Recycles! In every residence hall small blue recycling bins in each room. Once filled with recyclables students should empty the contents of these bins in the general trash/ recycling rooms. Your recycling bins are in different places depending on the hall; when the recycling bins are not in the garbage room they are in the laundry room or basement lounge.

Q. What can I recycle here?

List of recyclables.

Q.  What is the value of recycling?

Recycling saves a lot of energy because the materials are already processed and present to be reused instead of having to be taken from the earth. By recycling, not only are we preserving our natural resources but also preventing pollution and saving energy.

Q. What are Commingles?

Commingles are all metal (tin and aluminum), glass and plastics #1,#2,#4.#5,#7. They do not need to be separated. Examples of commingles include aluminum soda cans, metal soup cans, glass jars, plastic detergent bottles, plastic soda bottles, and plastic milk containers.

Q. Do I have to rinse out my Commingles? Why?

All Commingles need to be emptied and rinsed before you recycle them. Dirty recyclables attract bugs, get stinky, and add extra weight.

Q. Do I have to peel the labels from my cans and bottles?

No

Q. Why can I recycle certain things at home but not at New Paltz?

Recycling Rules are different for each town or county. Each recycling center can only take certain types of materials based on the facilities they have. For example in New York City people can recycle plastic #3 and #6 but New Paltz does not take those plastics.

Q. What kind of paper can I recycle?

Recyclable paper includes computer/copier paper, junk mail, hard back books, newspapers, magazines, loose-leaf, packing and shipping cardboard and even thin cardboard boxes that package food. Staples, tape, and the occasional paperclip are okay.

Q. Can I recycle pizza boxes?

No, the grease from the pizza makes the cardboard contaminated.

Q. I have seen recycling being put into the trash, why?

This happens only when the recycling is contaminated with trash. To ensure all your recyclables are being recycled, empty and rinse all co-mingles, and do not put any food or general trash in the recycling bins. Also when 10% trash is mixed into a recycling bin with 90% recyclables the entire bin becomes trash.

Q. I have a question about recycling!

Contact the recycling coordinator at newpaltzrecycles@gmail.com

Q. How do I become more involved with recycling at New Paltz?

Join Recycling Club, meetings are every Monday at 7:30pm in SUB 416.

Q. When does recycling club meet?

Meetings are every Monday at 7:30pm in SUB 416

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