Recycling at Tufts

Interior

A waste station consists of three bins:

  • Mixed paper
  • Mixed (AKA commingled) glass, metal & plastic
  • Trash

Waste stations should be placed in each major hallway; in main gathering spots; and in or near each main foyer. Depending on room occupancy and expected usage, multiple stations should be considered. Examples of places where multiple stations might be warranted include:

  • Large classrooms or auditoriums
  • Long hallways
  • Conference rooms with high usage

If the room is very small, a station should be positioned in a nearby hallway or closest exit.

All workstations should have a small blue paper bin.

Eateries, Laboratories and Specialized Spaces

Kitchenettes should have a minimum of two bins in or near them – one trash can and one ‘mixed glass, metal & plastic’ bin.

Copy rooms and/or photocopiers/printers should have large paper recycling bins or “slim jims” if space is tight (see Figure 1).

Spaces generating extraordinary large amounts of waste, or waste not included in the current Tufts recycling program may have unique recycling needs. Consult with users of the space and the Tufts Recycling Coordinator to see what bins would be most appropriate.

Recycling Worksheet

  1. Please spend some time in the next two weeks assessing the recycling system in your building (or section of your building if you’re in a very large building). Eco-ambassadors from the same building should divide up their building to cover as much ground as possible. Look for and record the following things on your worksheet:
  • Locations that need bins
  • Single trash cans (not near recycling bins)
  • Bins that need labels
  • Areas that need signs
  • Bins that need ties to connect the lids to the slim-jims (in areas where bins are in danger of losing lids)
  • Areas where there appears to be waste-disposal confusion (i.e. a lot of trash contamination or recyclables in the trash can)

Notes:

Each recycling bin should have:

  • a sticker on each side
  • a wall sign
  • a lid

Wall signs: all bins should be under the correct wall sign. Note if it has been ripped off or defaced. Some buildings do not have signs (we are not allowed to have them). These include: Ballou, Dowling, Fletcher School, Tisch Library, Dental School.

Sticker: All bins should have the correct label on both sides.

Lid: Make sure each bin has the correct lid.

  1. Use the attached spreadsheet to interview staff from around your office/building to assess their knowledge of recycling practices and services. Find out if they know how to dispose of the following items
  2. paper
  3. cardboard
  4. all numbered plastics
  5. glass
  6. metal
  7. electronics (computers, etc)
  8. batteries
  9. cell phones
  10. florescent lightbulbs (e.g. CFLs)
  1. Take down any notes on barriers to recycling compliance (lack of knowledge, lack of receptacles, lack of interest, etc)
  1. Bonus Q: What are the names of your custodian(s)?


Figure 1: Slim Jim / Replacement costs:
Slim Jim $25
Lid $17
Sticker $1.50
Apprehending the bin-thief: priceless

Recycling Resources

  • Tufts Recycles!
  • Massachusetts Waste Ban Regulation (on website)
  • Eco-rep chapter (on website)
  • Tufts Recycling Coordinator, Dawn Quirk,

Eco-Ambassadors1Tufts Office of Sustainability

Fall 2010

Your Name ______Building/Office______

Recycling Knowledge
Building: / Name
Clarissa
Familiar with recycling: / (example)
paper / Yes
cardboard / Yes
all numbered plastics / No
glass / No
metal / No
electronics (computers, etc) / Yes
batteries / No
cell phones / Yes
florescent lightbulbs (e.g. CFLs) / Yes
Barriers to recycling / Confused about plastic that is not in the form of a bottle
No recycling bin near desk

Your Name ______Building/Office______

Recycling Inventory
Locations that need bins
Single trash cans (not near recycling bins)
Bins that need labels
Areas that need signs
Bins that need ties to connect the lids to the slim-jims
Areas of confusion

Eco-Ambassadors1Tufts Office of Sustainability

Fall 2010