Updated campus recycling guidelines

Radford University has modified its campus recycling guidelines for the 2018-19 academic year.

The changes correspond with the Montgomery County Regional Solid Waste Authority modifying the types of materials it will recycle to keep in accordance with shifts in the national and international recycling markets.

Below are the new Radford University campus recycling guidelines for mixed recycling:

• Mixed/Single Stream/Commingled Recycling: plastic, glass, metal and paper together
• Accepting Plastics No. 1 and No. 2 (Plastics No. 3 - No. 7 are no longer accepted).
• Accepting all office paper, newspaper, magazines, cereal/paper boxes.
• Accepting metal - tin/steel cans and aluminum beverage cans.
• Accepting glass food and beverage containers.

Additional recycling tips:

• Shredded paper must be bagged separately to be recycled.
• Corrugated cardboard and pizza boxes are recycled separately.
• Electronics are recycled separately. Call Radford University Recycling at extension 7207 for more information.
• Printer cartridges, batteries, light bulbs are recycled separately. Call Radford University Recycling at extension 7207 for more information.
• No plastic bags in mixed recycling (return to retailer or to Bags for Benches bin in College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences building lobby).
• No clothing or toys in mixed recycling. Use community donation programs.

One area of concern for the Recycling Office is the “amount of containments that enter our recycling waste steam,” Recycling Coordinator Neal Thompson said. Those containments (not recyclable) include:

• Dryer lint.
• Food waste and liquids from containers or bottles. 
• Plastic bags of any kind
• Tissues, cotton balls, cotton swabs or other sanitary items.

“The Sustainability Office is collaborating with Radford University Recycling to spread the word through the campus community about these changes with the intent of increasing our overall recycling rate,” Sustainability Manager Josh Nease said.

Seven new outdoor recycling bins have been positioned around campus. Bins are located outside Martin Hall (near the bus stop); the Bonnie; Dalton, Muse and Kyle halls; Starbucks; and the campus fountain.

In addition, small recycling bins have been placed in all students rooms in all residence halls. The single-stream/commingled rules apply to these bins.