Recycling, Waste Prevention & Conservation

Kenyon College actively recycles as many materials as possible:

Acceptable (Please place these in the proper recycling bins.)

Aluminum Cans

Computer Paper

Ledger Paper - Bleached Bond, Copier Paper, Envelopes, Adding Machine Tape

Newspapers

Glass Bottles

Plastic Bottles and Containers

Shipping Cartons

Unacceptable (Please keep these contaminants out of the recycling bins.)

Carbons

Food

Wrapping Paper

Exception:

Metal paper clips and staples may be left on the paper. (No plastic bindings, please).

Just A Few Reasons For Recycling:

Solid Waste: It has been estimated that each man, woman, and child produces an average of four pounds of trash every day, almost 1,500 pounds a year. Most of this garbage gets buried in a landfill, and we are running out of landfill space at an alarming rate. Paper makes up about 25% of many cities' garbage, much of which could be diverted through office paper recycling programs.

Paper Production: As many as seventeen small trees are required to make one ton of paper. Recycling slows the demand for virgin timber fibers and lessens the strain on our forest resources.

Energy Conservation: Up to 64% less energy is required to produce paper from waste paper instead of from virgin wood pulp. In the case of office paper, the equivalent of almost three barrels of oil is saved for every ton of paper recycled.

Air & Water Pollution: The manufacturing of paper from used paper instead of from trees produces almost 60% less pollution of air and water.

Water Conservation: The manufacturing of recycled paper uses only half of the water that is required in the manufacturing of virgin paper.

How The Kenyon College Recycling Program Works

You will be given one small recycling container (for paper) on or near your desk and each office or department will receive a large container for aluminum and glass and plastic items. When you're through using the paper, aluminum, glass or plastic item, simply put it into the appropriate container instead of the trash can. When either of your containers is full, the custodial team in your area will empty it. That's the end of your involvement - it's that easy!

Because we all have a lifelong habit of just throwing something away when we're finished using it, it may take some time to remember not to throw the recyclable paper into the trash can. You have to think about it at first, but in a very short time it will become just another one of those things you do.

Please keep all "contaminants," including carbon paper, half-eaten sandwiches, wrapping paper, etc., out of the paper recycling containers. If you're recycling an old report, please remove the covers and plastic bindings. Metal staples and small paper clips do not need to be removed. Soda cans, soda bottles, glass jars and bottles, plastic bottles and containers can all be re-cycled. Please remove the lids and put these items into the designated recycling containers.

If you are "cleaning house" and getting rid of a lot of old forms or files, let your custodial team know ahead of time so they can prepare for extra pick-ups. NOTE: Please don't crumple up paper being thrown away (in the trash or in recycling) - it takes up much less space when it's flat. If you need plastic bags they will be provided.

Please do your part to recycle reusable materials and reuse items until they genuinely need to be replaced. Also, please pay attention to ways of conserving energy. Some of the easiest ways to do this are to make sure lights, equipment and faucets are turned off, and all doors and windows are closed whenever practical.

Waste of time, materials, equipment and utilities is costly to you and Kenyon. You can help make every minute count. Eliminate waste whenever possible. In the long run, you will benefit by helping to reduce operating costs. The money saved by eliminating waste may be passed along to employees in the form of larger annual increases and other benefits.