Problems with the Current Plastic Recycling Practices
Inaccurate and
inconsistent
signage about
acceptable plastics
The inaccurate and inconsistent signage about acceptable recyclables causes confusion about how to properly recycle, thus leading people to recycle incorrectly or not at all. Between buildings and even within buildings, recycling signage defines acceptable items for the same materials differently. Here are some examples of inaccurate and inconsistent signage.
This miscellaneous plastics recycling sign advertises that Styrofoam (polystyrene #6) and plastic utensils are acceptable miscellaneous plastics. However, the CCRRA explicitly states on their website that they do not accept Styrofoam [2]. Additionally, plastic utensils and straws are not accepted by most recycling facilities in the U.S. and the CCRRA specifically considers these as contamination [9].
It is unclear whether this recycling sign is for plastic bottles or miscellaneous plastics. The sign claims that all 7 types of plastics are acceptable – but this is certainly not the case. The CCRRA only accepts items such as plastic water bottles (#1 PET), milk gallon bottles or detergent bottles (#2 HDPE), and plastic food storage containers like yogurt tubs or syrup bottles (#5 polypropylene).
This is a plastic bottles recycling sign. It used to say, “Plastic bottles & film” but the word “film” and images of plastic wrap, film, and bags were redacted because the CCRRA does not accept these (#4 LDPE).
Lack of recycling
bins in dormitories
As compared to all other building types at Penn State (such as administration, fitness centers, classrooms, and dining halls), the dormitories have the highest generation rate yet the lowest recovery rate of plastics [3]. Therefore, the dorms have the highest percentage of plastic recyclables thrown away as refuse. The abysmal plastic recycling rate in dormitories is due to the ways in which Penn State OPP and Housing departments made recycling inconvenient.
Some dorms at Penn State only have recycling bins located in the trash room on the basement floor. Many dorms do not even have indoor recycling bins and residents are forced to go outdoors to the giant, metal dumpsters. The tiresome trek to the basement or outdoors discourages most students to recycle.
Unmotivated
faculty, staff,
and student body
The majority of people at Penn State are ignorant or apathetic (or both) about recycling. They do not know the difference between plastics and miscellaneous plastics, and nor do they care to learn. This leads to people not recycling properly or not recycling at all. This is reflected in the low recovery rates and high contamination rates in certain locations around campus. In order to spark interest in recycling, Penn State needs to implement incentive programs. However, no such programs currently exist at the University.
Many universities comparable to Penn State in terms of size and resources (i.e. University of Michigan, Ohio State, Washington University, and University of Virginia) participate annually in the “Campus Race to Zero Waste” – formerly known as RecycleMania. Over 200 colleges/universities in the U.S. and Canada compete in four categories and four special events over the course of four weeks [8].
Participating in this competition would be a great way for Penn State to educate and encourage students, faculty, and staff to recycle correctly, all while strengthening school spirit! In addition to joining the “Campus Race to Zero Waste” competition, I have devised several solutions to increase recycling participation and efficiency at Penn State.