Every item tossed into a trash can, recycling bin or compost container represents a choice about how resources are used.
That message is at the heart of America Recycles Day, observed annually on Nov. 15. At Ohio State, recycling, composting, reusing materials and reducing consumption all contribute to the university's efforts to reduce waste and conserve resources.
"Zero waste is about more than keeping materials out of the landfill," said Molly Kathleen, zero waste manager. "It's about recognizing that the things we use have value and making the most of the resources we have. Every time we choose to recycle, reuse or compost, we're making a choice about how we steward those resources."
While recycling often begins with placing an item in the correct bin, its impact extends much further.
Products require natural resources, energy and labor to manufacture. Paper products require trees, water and energy. Metals must be mined and processed. Glass and plastics also require raw materials and energy to produce.
When those materials are recycled instead of sent to a landfill, they can be used to create new products, helping conserve resources and reduce waste.
At Ohio State, the collective impact of those decisions can be significant. The university community includes more than 100,000 students, faculty and staff.
"It can be easy to think one person putting one bottle in a recycling bin isn't going to make much of a difference," said Logan Gould, zero waste coordinator. "But when you have tens of thousands of people making that choice every day, those individual actions become something much bigger."
University sustainability leaders say recycling does not require specialized knowledge or major lifestyle changes. Instead, they encourage people to start with a simple step: recycle recyclable materials whenever possible.
Ohio State provides recycling containers in campus buildings to make participation convenient. Community members can look for red recycling bins and other clearly labeled collection containers.
"We've made recycling available across campus because we want it to be an easy choice," said Tim Bell, recycling and refuse services manager. "The biggest thing people can do is simply take that extra moment to look for a recycling bin and use it when they have a recyclable item."
Ohio State accepts a variety of common recyclable materials, including:
- Plastic bottles, cups, jugs, tubs and clear clamshell containers
- Paper and cardboard
- Paper coffee cups and fountain drink cups
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal food and beverage cans
The most important thing is to keep recyclables empty, clean and dry. When in doubt about a particular material, visit Ohio State's recycling information or check SWACO's recycling and reuse search tool for local options for materials that cannot go in Ohio State's recycling bins.
For questions about recycling on campus, contact recycle@osu.edu.