College earns recycling grant

ALBANY » Colgate University of Hamilton has received a $2,500 College Council Grant from the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3), the professional recyclers’ association for New York state.

Colgate University’s award will go toward improving the recycling infrastructure in Alumni Hall (a carryin, carry-out academic building), by installing two centrally located, customized Colgate recycling stations to house all three waste streams available in Madison County: landfill waste, paper recycling, and plastics/glass/aluminum recycling. The Office of Sustainability conducted four waste audits over the 2017-2018 academic year to examine if Colgate’s recent investment in recycling stations increased recycling rates and minimized waste contamination of the recycling streams. The Bryan Complex residence halls were some of the first to receive customized recycling stations, including clear signage indicating what is and is not recyclable. The results showed that the Bryan Complex did have significantly higher recycling rates and less waste contamination when using well marked custom bins, suggesting that students are likely to follow recycling guidelines when proper signage is present. NYSAR3provides members with expertise and education on waste reduction, reuse and recycling issues and practices to improve the environment. The group advocates for policies and programs that support environmental sustainability in the Empire State and provides access to a network of individuals and organizations that share ideas about starting and improving reduction, reuse, and recycling programs, as well as information on education and funding. More details are available at www.NYSAR3.org.