Recycling Resources

Recycling ResourcesColleges and universities can find advice and assistance in working towards zero-waste from numerous resources. From recycling electronics to repurposing surplus furniture, composting food scraps and more, if it can be reused or recycled, options for doing so are available. Here are just a few outlets for information.

RECYCLEMANIA
www.recyclemaniacs.org

Launched in 2001, RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Over an eight-week period each spring, schools across North America report the amount of recycling and trash collected each week and are in turn ranked in various categories based on who recycles the most on a per capita basis, as well as which schools have the best recycling rate as a percentage of total waste and which schools generate the least amount of combined trash and recycling.

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY RECYCLING COALITION (CURC)
www.curc3r.org

CURC is a membership-based nonprofit organization facilitating the exchange of technical knowledge and best practices on recycling and waste reduction programs among institutions of higher learning. Originally formed in 1992, CURC became a technical council of the National Recycling Coalition in 1995 before branching off as an independent organization in 2009. CURC supports collegiate recycling programs through technical assistance, education and training, including a webinar series, annual workshops and the development of best-practices manuals and toolkits.

POST-LANDFILL ACTION NETWORK (PLAN)
www.postlandfill.org

Launched in 2013, PLAN is helping to build student-led, self-sustaining waste-reduction programs at universities nationwide. PLAN provides student groups with advising, best practice guides, start-up funding and other resources to help launch or expand programs that keep reusable items on campus and out of landfills. PLAN also helps students conduct waste audits and work with their schools and peers to design and implement solutions that cut waste year-round. PLAN supports academic research internships that allow students to research and innovate new ways to end waste.

IRN – THE RECYCLING NETWORK / IRN SURPLUS
www.ir-network.com
www.irnsurplus.com

IRN’s core mission is to make recycling as easy and cost effective as possible, no matter what needs to be recycled. IRN Surplus has placed more than 25 million pounds of healthcare, education and corporate surplus with U.S. and international charities for reuse in disaster relief and economic development projects.

GRASSROOTS RECYCLING NETWORK (GRRN)
www.grrn.org

GRRN is a national network of waste-reduction activists and recycling professionals who set ambitious standards for zero-waste goals and policies. GRRN provides opportunities for ongoing, meaningful participation in campaigns and building coalitions to achieve zero-waste policies, businesses and communities.

ALSO:

AASHE (ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION)
www.aashe.org

SECOND NATURE
www.secondnature.org/search/node/recycling

NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION – CAMPUS ECOLOGY
www.nwf.org/campus-ecology

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • University of Connecticut Upgrades Basketball Facility’s AV Systems

    The University of Connecticut recently partnered with Metinteractive to upgrade the AV systems of the Gampel Pavilion basketball facility on its campus in Mansfield, Conn., according to a news release.

  • Texas A&M Adds ALPR Technology to Parking Solutions

    Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently integrated automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology into its parking services and enforcement strategies, according to a news release. The university’s Transportation Services division deployed Genetec AutoVu ALPR to manage the campus’ 36,000+ parking spaces.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2025 New Product Awards

    Spaces4Learning is now accepting entries for the 2025 New Product Awards! The program’s goal is to honor the outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products and services are particularly noteworthy in helping to improve K–12 and Higher Education learning environments.

  • Illinois Elementary School Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion

    Heather Hill Elementary School, part of Flossmoor School District 161 in Palatine, Ill., recently broke ground on a new addition to the school focused on student support and security, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers for the expansion as part of a longer-term facility planning and modernization initiative.

Digital Edition