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Recycling

    Recycling

    Mission Statement The Rochester Institute of Technology Recycling Department exists to actively promote proper waste management through Recycling and Waste Minimization. We do this by developing solutions, initiatives, and educational programs that encourage sustainable behavior throughout the University in order to facilitate change in our Global community.

    What is RIT doing?
    RIT switches to Single Stream Recycling!

    The Single Stream Recycling system is an easier way to recycle many different materials by combining them into just one container. This simplifies recycling!

  • accordion arrowComplete List of Recyclable Materials

  • accordion arrowAccomplishments

      • Began accepting plastics #3-7 in addition to #1-2 in 2011
      • Created an updated RIT Recycling Department logo in 2011
      • Introduced new on-campus events to the annual RecycleMania agenda in 2011
      • Switched from separating recyclables to Single Stream Recycling in 2011
      • Participated in the 1st annual Student Environmental Summit in 2010
      • Major updates to the department in 2009 including a gain of over 300 recycling bins around campus
      • Participation in the RecycleMania Tournament since 2008
      • Collected over 12 tons of E-Waste to be recycled in 2008
      • Collected over 5 tons of Universal Waste to be recycled in 2007
      • Collected over 9 tons of E-Waste to be recycled in 2007
      • Became members of the NRC and NYSAR in 2003
      • Added over 300 new recycling bins around campus 2002
      • Start of the Recycling Program under FMS in 2000
  • accordion arrowCurrent Initiatives

      • Maintain accessibility of recycling bins in hallways to every 100 feet
      • To have consistent, reliable, and accurate educational programs to raise awareness about recycling at RIT
      • Benchmarking other universities and keeping up with our competition’s programs
      • Assisting student and faculty led organizations and groups with events involving recycling and sustainability
      • Committed to annual events for America Recycles Day, Earth Day, and RecycleMania
      • Event branding enhancement to make our events more identifiable
      • Exploring new methods of communication within the RIT Recycling Department to increase efficiency in the work place
  • accordion arrowGoals

      • To increase our average recycling rate to 50%
      • To host events involving recycling education and awareness throughout the academic year
      • To collaborate more with student, faculty, local organizations and groups
  • accordion arrowRecycleMania!

    • Recyclemania is a 10-week nationwide competition between colleges and universities to promote waste reduction and recycling activities to their campus communities. Schools report recycling and trash data which are ranked according to various categories.

      To learn more about RecycleMania visit http://www.recyclemania.org

      RecycleMania 2011 Results

  • accordion arrowEvents

  • accordion arrowWhy Recycle?

      • According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The United States is one of the world’s largest trash producers, while over half of the garbage we throw out can be recycled!
      • Recycling prevents pollution caused by manufacturing of products using virgin materials!
      • Recycling conserves energy and natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals!
      • Why Recycle?
      • According to Recycling Facts by Weyerhaeuser, recycling 1 ton of paper saves about 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 165 gallons of gas, 580 pounds of air pollution, and 4 kWh of energy (enough to power 10, 40-watt CFL bulbs for 10 hours).
      • Therefore in 2011, RIT recycled over 190,000 pounds (95 tons) of paper - saving over 1615 trees, 665,000 gallons of water, 27.5 tons of air pollution, 380 kWh of energy, and 15,675 gallons of gas!

Additional Information

What Can You Do?

  • Remember to properly recycle!
  • Look for the recycling bins conveniently located all around campus!
  • Come to the RIT Recycling Events!

Meet The Recycling Team

The RIT Recycling Department operates under Facilities Management Services by a group of student workers. We appreciate the assistance of student and employee volunteers. Please contact us if you are interested in getting involved!

Laura Collibee Laura Collibee

Laura comes from Boston, MA and is a 4th year Environmental Science major with a minor in Anthropology/Sociology. She is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She started as the Recycling Administrator in August of 2010. Please contact her with any comments, questions, and concerns regarding recycling and the RIT Recycling Department.
Contact: recycle@rit.edu
Phone: (585) 475-7827

Dmitry Liapitch Dmitry Liapitch

Dmitry has been working as a Recycling Specialist since Fall 2010. He is a Masters student in Sustainable Engineering at RIT after graduating from Wells College with a degree in Physics. His objective is to optimize the recycling process and encourage sustainability. He once built a boat out of recycled plastic bottles and successfully sailed on Cayuga lake!
Contact: dxl5914@rit.edu

Tom Kemper Tom Kemper

Tom comes from Fairport, NY, and is in his third year as a New Media Design major, with a minor in Digital Business. He is the current Vice President of Gamma Epsilon Tau, the Graphic Arts Honors Fraternity, and has been working as a Recycling Specialist since the summer of 2011. Determined to improve recycling at RIT, you will see his promotional publications located all over the RIT campus.
Contact: tkk8253@rit.edu




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