Recycling and waste reduction made easy

During the past fiscal year, the campus community recycled more than 100,000 pounds of paper, with even more in glass, plastic and aluminum. In fact, the University’s waste diversion rate was approximately 40 percent, which means more than 2.3 million pounds of recyclables avoided being sent to landfills.

The Office of Waste Recycling and Reduction spearheads the University’s efforts to control the campus’ ecological footprint, and it can provide departments/offices/units to make recycling easier.

For starters, recycling bins and collection areas are available across campus; to request one for an area, contact Kelly Hyatt at 704-687-0607.

Recycling posters can be downloaded for display in office areas; recycling/reduction personnel can provide large bins to collect recyclables for departments/offices that are moving or cleaning offices.

Books, binders or office supplies not taken by surplus property will be collected by the office for use in its “Take It or Leave It” tour.

At individual workstations, employees should have a mini trash bin that attaches to the blue recycling container. Faculty and staff members should empty their recycling containers into the larger bins in work areas. Anyone who is missing a mini trash bin should contact Rhonda Latham at 704-687-0603. Contact Kelly Hyatt for a blue recycling bin.

Devin Hatley, environmental educator, can conduct outreach and education programs for the campus community about the campus’ waste reduction and recycling efforts. Email him at dlhatley@uncc.edu.

“UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students have demonstrated a commitment to keeping waste our of area landfills; however, we can do more to increase our diversion rates,” said Hatley. “It’s important we stake our claim to re-use and recycle whenever possible.”