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Recycling

When people “throw something away,” it never actually goes “away.” When trash breaks down, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The NRRA Landfill at Cloyd's Mountain is capturing these greenhouse gas emissions and making electricity. 

The waste produced at Radford University is taken to one of three locations:

We would like to encourage everyone to make a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste they produce every day. How do you do this? Print less, use electronic documents as much as possible, use reuseable beverage and food containers and utensils, refuse a plastic bag when offered one. These are just some of the ideas for living and working more sustainably.

Other programs include:

  • Student Government Association’s (SGA) "Bags to Benches", a plastic bag recycling program that recycles 40,000 plastic grocery bags and transforms them into park benches. Several bag deposit locations are found around campus, with the primary spot currently in McConnell Library main floor. Two of these benches can be found outside of the Bonnie near the bus stop in Lot JJ.
  • Recycling

Our Commitment

Radford University is committed to providing comprehensive recycling services to everyone on campus.

  • E-Waste including printers, computers, ink cartridges, batteries, refrigerators, etc. all require separate recycling processes. If you have any of these items, please reach out to the Recycling Coordinator for assistance.
  • Battery Recycling is available in all the residence halls and other areas across campus. Both rechargeable and nonrechargeable bins are available with residence life staff. 
  • We supply Goodwill Edgar Boxes (large donation boxes) on campus as part of our move-out program at the end of the year. This is an attempt to reduce waste and divert students' unwanted items such as food, clothing, furniture and more from the landfill.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator, Neal Thompson, lthompson@radford.edu, 540-831-7207

    Items to Recycle Together

    • Empty Cans

      • aluminum beverage cans
      • steel cans
      • tin cans

    • Empty Glass

      • bottles
      • jars

    • Paper

      • mixed paper
      • newspaper
      • magazines

    • Plastic Containers

      • plastic bottles
      • jugs
      • food containers 

    Avoid the following when recycling:

    • Do not bag recycles together.
    • Do not include garbage.
    • Do not include plastic bags.
    • Do not include items with food or liquid. Empty all containers.
    • Do not include tanglers such as hoses, wires, chains or cords.
    • Do not include clothing or toys. Use donation programs for these items.
    • Do not include electronics.
    • Do not include styrofoam. 

    Recycling Guidelines

    Purpose

    Radford University recognizes its role as a leader in the community with regard to environmental policies and promotes responsible stewardship of the environmental resources under its influence. The overall purpose of this recycling policy is to set forth standards and organizational processes aimed at waste minimization, recycling, and the diversion of recyclable materials from landfills.

    Objectives

    • Reduce waste at the source (Waste Minimization).
    • Encourage the purchase and use of environmentally friendly products.
    • Encourage the purchase of high post-consumer content recycled products.
    • Increase the total volume of waste materials diverted from landfills to recycling processes.
    • Ensure long term viability of campus recycling operations through coordination and managerial oversight.
    • Promote recycling practices and procedures throughout the campus community.
    • Comply with Federal and State mandates in recycling processes.

    Definitions

    Waste minimization - to reduce the amount of waste generated
    Recycling streams - sorted recyclable materials
    Life-cycle cost - cost of a system or product over the entire lifespan

    Guidelines

    All departments that generate waste at Radford University should make waste minimization and recycling a top priority and an integral component of their daily operations. Each department shall consider the life-cycle costs and environmental aspects associated with purchases and are encouraged to purchase items with recycled content and minimal wastes and packaging as appropriate. Every employee and student has the responsibility to exercise these behaviors, making Radford University a more sustainable campus and helping to reduce our carbon footprint.

    Procedures

    Every student, employee and department shall recycle materials as current recycling streams allow. Radford University recycling operations cover three main and various alternate recycling streams:

    Main Recycling Streams:

    • Mixed Paper
    • Containers (Cans/Plastic/Glass)
    • Cardboard

    Alternate Recycling Streams (include but are not limited to):

    • Motor Oil
    • Antifreeze
    • Kitchen Grease
    • Tires
    • Batteries
    • Toner Cartridges
    • Scrap Metal
    • Reusable Construction Waste
    • Pallets
    • Electronic Waste
    Neal Thompson

    Neal Thompson

    Recycling Coordinator

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