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March 2020
RecycleMania is in full swing, Green Reps! This year marks the program’s 20th anniversary, so we’re recapping the history of recycling over the last 20 years. Feeling competitive? Check out information about our annual eyeglasses recycling program below.
A Look at the History of Recycling
There are many examples of waste management and recycling throughout history, from the 500 B.C.E. Athens law that required waste to be taken one mile outside the city walls to the 1980 mandate to recycle in Woodbury, New Jersey (a mandate that became a national model in the United States).
But what’s happened with recycling in the last 20 or so years? Let’s take a look.
Source Reduction
At the turn of the last century, one of the steps the eco-minded community in the United States took toward being more sustainable was advocating for source reduction. Source reduction, also known as waste prevention or pollution prevention, means eliminating waste before it is created. Today, more and more people and businesses are trying to practice source reduction, even as other approaches are developing in the world of recycling.
Single-Stream Recycling
One such approach is single-stream recycling, in which recyclable materials are placed in a single container rather than being separated. While this method is much easier for consumers and increases the amount of material recovered, it also increases the likelihood of contamination. For example, if leftover food is found on a recyclable paper product, that product is now trash because contaminated paper cannot be recycled.
China’s Recycling Ban
Another recent development in the world of recycling is China’s Recycling Ban, which went into effect in January 2018. Due to the large amount of contamination seen in recycling, China—which is where we were sending our recyclables—enforced a waste ban, effectively barring the import of most materials bound for Chinese processing facilities. Despite the complications this has created stateside, the ban has helped kickstart conversations about being less wasteful while also generating new legislation in the United States.
What's Happening Today
On Earth Day 2019, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo passed legislation regarding a statewide plastic bag ban. Governor Cuomo highlighted the importance of this initiative, saying, “These bags have blighted our environment and clogged our waterways. [This ban will be a way] to protect our natural resources for future generations of New Yorkers.”
Although Wegmans has already enacted a plastic bag ban, the law officially goes into effect this month. For those of you who need a reusable bag, the Green Reps have got you covered—just shoot us an email.
In addition, Monroe County has restricted the list of items it accepts for recycling. Be sure to check out the University’s resources on how to recycle properly and watch this video created by Facilities and Dining Team Green about recycling here at the University. Remember, if you’re ever unsure, throw it away rather than risk contaminating a whole batch of recycling.
A big thank you to the Green Rep who suggested the Monroe County Recyclopedia! This is yet another great resource for helping us all keep up with the rules of recycling. You can also check out the Monroe County ecopark for related information and resources.
Wishcycling
Because of all of the changes in recycling, sometimes it is hard to keep up and make sure we’re disposing items properly. Wishcycling happens when we attempt to recycle an item that isn’t actually recyclable, but we hope that it is. As mentioned before, when nonrecyclable items (including plastic bags and greasy pizza boxes) are placed in the recycling containers, we end up with contamination. This causes problems with the machines that sort recyclables at waste management facilities.
When you have the time or opportunity, use the above mentioned resources to help educate yourself and others about the best practices regarding recycling to help ensure that we are all recycling correctly.
Green Reads from around the Web
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Events & Announcements
RecycleMania 2020
Each year, colleges and universities across the United States and Canada compete to minimize and eliminate waste by recycling paper, plastic, metal, and organics. Throughout the competition, participating colleges collect data to tally the amount of campus-wide collected recyclables and trash. The data is then reported weekly and posted to the RecycleMania website.
Here’s how you can help promote the final month of RecycleMania in your department:
- Take the Go Green Pledge and encourage others to do so.
- Catch the other members of your office “green handed” (doing something sustainable) or take their “mug shot” (a photo of them using their mug or other reusable beverage container). Send us your pictures and we will post them to our Facebook page.
- Host your own Regames. Take the opportunity to share green practices in the office.
- Check out RecycleMania’s website for more activity ideas.
Be sure to follow UR Sustainable on Facebook for updates, pictures, weekly trivia contests, and more.
Eyeglass Recycling
In conjunction with RecycleMania, the University of Rochester is collecting eyeglasses throughout the month of March and donating them to the Lions Club Eye Bank at Rochester. Since the University first began participating, we’ve collected 5,961 pairs of glasses!
This month there is also a departmental competition. An award will be given to the department that collects the most number of glasses and another award will go to the department that creates the most “eye-catching” collection box. Winning departments will receive their choice of a pizza or donut/coffee party and will be given an award by our representative from the Lions Club. Last year, the United Business Office collected 292 pairs and Financial Case Management displayed the most creatively designed collection box.
Read more about the program or email Amy Kadrie by March 15 to participate.
Introduction to Intersectional Environmental Justice
Thursday, March 12, 4:30–6 p.m.
Local nonprofit organization 540WMain is offering this class, which will guide participants through an exploration of how current and emerging climate and environmental justice advocates and activists can be more inclusive, culturally responsive, and understanding implicit bias. The cost is $10 and you can get tickets online.
Interested but can't make this session? There are other classes scheduled for April and May. Check out the 540WMain website for more information.
Activist Roundtable: Reflections from the Movement
Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in Hawkins-Carlson Room, Rush Rhees Library
Three movement leaders will come together to reflect on practical lessons and current trends in activism. Harmony Lambert, Kelsey Moffett, and Christina-Alexa Liakos have an abundance of experience in grassroots justice work—from Standing Rock to Alaska, to mass mobilization protests, creative resistance, and direct action climbing. The event is free and open to the public.
‘Photo Booth’ Pictures from Blind Date with a Book
 During last month’s quarter event, we took “photo booth” pictures of the attendees enjoying warm drinks from their mugs. Check out more photos from the event on Facebook. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the event a success!
Special shoutout to Meliora Catering for supplying us with vegan hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Did you know you can ask Meliora Catering for sustainable-friendly service, which means they’ll bring compostable items? Kudos to Meliora Catering for offering catering services that help us all go green! |
Sustainability Spotlight 🔦
Amy Kadrie, Sustainability Coordinator, Facilities and Services
Kadrie and her two daughters. (Photo: Jessica Seaward)
Amy Kadrie became the sustainability coordinator for the University in 2008. Her passion for sustainability grew from her childhood love of nature and appreciation for the outdoors, as well as her belief that we’re each responsible for our actions, including the way we treat this planet.
In addition to her roles as sustainability coordinator and longtime member of the Green Reps Working Group, Amy manages Facilities Team Green, which plans, directs, and promotes University Facilities and Services’ sustainability programs. She also works with staff and students to help educate and train them on the efficient use of resources.
As someone with a lifelong personal and professional dedication to sustainability, Amy shares her thoughts on the current state of recycling: “With the state of the global recycling market today, it’s more important than ever to recycle right. Be informed of the local requirements and let go of wishcycling! But most important, remember to reduce and reuse first.”
Know someone who’s made progress with sustainability on campus? Whether the victories are big or small, we’d love to hear about them! Email us today. |
Your Green Reps Challenge for March
- Create some friendly competition in your department by promoting RecycleMania. Send us your mug shots, photos of colleagues getting caught “green-handed,” or other pictures and we will post them to UR Sustainable’s Facebook page. We’re also happy to assist you in promoting the event to your colleagues and can provide resources to support your efforts, such as prizes. Email us to learn more.
- Collect and donate eyeglasses to recycle them for a good cause.
- Sign up for the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation Newsletter and keep up to date on the sustainability topics you are most interested in in New York State.
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