10.11.06
12:30 - 2:30pm
Faculty and staff, turn in your trash cans on October 11 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. in the University Center and the Morken Center!
What is “Can the Can”?
“Can the Can” is a campaign to boost PLU’s recycling rate and make the institution more environmentally friendly.
We’re asking employees to voluntarily get rid of their office trash cans in favor of small, 1.5-liter containers. Given your busy work schedules, it is easy to forget that almost everything that crosses ours desks probably can be recycled. The idea is to recycle absolutely everything you can, and use the small container for things that can’t be recycled – the kind of things you USED to put in your trash can. Empty the small container when you’re on your way past a communal garbage can in the bathroom or hall during the course of the day.
If you volunteer to participate, it means your office trash will no longer be emptied by someone else. By turning in your trash can, you commit to sorting, recycling and, when necessary, disposing of your own garbage.
Who can participate?
The campaign is targeted primarily at faculty and staff members who have offices at PLU. Residential students may participate by committing to recycle all residential waste possible in the recycling containers provided to them by residential life. The focus on faculty and staff is based on the recognition that the volume of garbage generated when you actually live somewhere – as opposed to just being there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – is quite a bit greater.
Student offices are also encouraged to join in. Classrooms will not be included in this year’s effort. Based on the success of the campaign, it may be expanded to include all students and classrooms in the future.
Great. How do I sign up?
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, an event will be held on campus to formally exchange your office trash can for a smaller container. Watch Campus Voice for more details on location and time.
In the meantime, feel free to “warm up” for this change of habit by making a bigger effort to recycle cans, bottles, paper and other recyclables in the receptacles in your building. Every building on campus has multiple locations for recycling and even for composting. Take a short walk to familiarize yourself with these locations in your building. If you have questions, call Environmental Services Coordinator Barb McConathy at x. 7385.
What can be recycled?
The short answer is just about everything. It’s actually easier to list what can’t be recycled. Generally speaking, this includes:
- Kleenex, toilet paper, used napkins and paper towels
- Shiny metallic candy-bar type wrappers
- Soiled food containers, including paper plates or takeout containers that can’t be rinsed clean; however, coffee-cup sleeves, pizza boxes that haven’t soaked up grease, the extra cup you sometimes get for very hot drinks, unused napkins, etc can be recycled
This sheet is intended as a general guide. If you have specific questions not addressed here, please call Environmental Services Coordinator Barb McConathy at x. 7385.
What do I do with stuff that I know can be recycled, but there isn’t an official container for?
Items like Styrofoam, cardboard, plastics and metals are recycled by PLU every day. Systems are in place to deal with these items. For a full list of what can be recycled, go to http://www.plu.edu/~fama/environmental-services/recycling.html.
Smaller, unobtrusive items may be left near “regular” recycling bins for pickup, or tucked into the office-paper recycling containers in your office. PLU’s excellent recycling team has made a commitment to separate these items for you at its recycling center in order to help this campaign succeed.
To arrange for pickup of large or unwieldy items like packing peanuts, large pieces of Styrofoam, packaging materials, metals, etc., submit a work request with Facilities Management by calling x. 7380 or filling out the online form at http://www.plu.edu/~fama/service-requests/work-order.html.
Why is PLU doing this?
As an institution, our recycling rate is over 60 percent. That’s darn good, but it could be a lot better. Our Campus Master Plan sets a target recycling rate of between 80 and 85 percent over the next five years. While “Can the Can” won’t get us all the way there, with your support, it can be a big part of the solution.
What else can I do?
When cleaning out your office, remember that the SurPLUs program (http://www.plu.edu/~fama/environmental-services/surplus-inventory.html) sells or donates to charity: office furniture, lamps, cabinets, phones and other supplies. By finding ways to repurpose these items, we are also reducing the amount of trash we send to the landfill. If you need furniture, look here first. If you need to get rid of something, call Environmental Services Coordinator Barb McConathy at x. 7385 to arrange for pickup.
At work and at home, look for ways to reduce the waste you generate. Choose items that come with less packaging. Reuse things like grocery bags or boxes a few times before recycling them. When you’re shopping, think about whether you really need a bag to carry your purchase, or better yet, bring your own reusable bag. Use the back side of printed paper for notes or scratch paper. Reuse file folders and manila envelopes as many times as possible.
Most importantly, if you have questions, please ask.
What are the other benefits?
Well, since you asked, did you know that landfills aren’t just ugly, they contribute to global warming? The process of waste breaking down emits harmful gasses into the atmosphere. Reduce your impact by reducing your waste.