Recycling Committee Takes Out the Trash

As of September 4, HVCC’s Recycling Program has been expanded, adding cans and bottles to their existing list of paper, cardboard, books and packing materials. Exactly 32 indoor can and bottle recycling receptacles, 22 indoor paper recycling receptacles and 14 outdoor can and bottle recycling receptacles have been added to the preexisting 585 recycling receptacles added in 2007.

According to Clem Campana, operations assistant of HVCC’s Physical Plant, the Recycling Committee was established in 1993 as a one man operation. Campana said, “In 2007 the committee was energized with an influx of new members and that’s when we got working on expanding recycling.” In the 2007-2008, the committee has recycled 56 tons of paper from the campus. That is double the amount of the 2006-2007 year. From the time of the programs establishment, the committee has concentrated on the paper products that made up the majority of the college’s waste as there were not enough containers.

The Recycling Committee is comprised of Campana, as well as Ann Carrozza, executive director of the
FSA Business Office; Joanne Christian, principal account clerk of the Purchasing Department; Kathy Cline, director of technical support services; Nancy Howe-Ford, professor of history, philosophy and social sciences; Donna Milks, coordinator of computer services operations; Colleen Moore, assistant for financial analysis; Kathy Schneider, assistant professor of biology, chemistry and physics and Patty Watt, director of environmental health and safety.

In order for a program to work properly, the committee does depend on students to recycle. Watt stated, “When you get down to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of implementing a recycling program, there is really a lot that goes into it.” The committee must research and purchase the right containers, as well as train custodial and ground staff on new waste handling procedures and find a vendor to recycle the material. The current vendor in charge of recycling is T.A.Predel & Co.

The paper waste is sold to a paper vendor via a middle man, making its way eventually to a paper mill where it is repurposed. According to Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), recycled paper is turned into similar grades of reusable products. This includes newspaper, egg cartons, wall insulator and animal bedding.

The hard work is not without reward, though. The Recycling Committee stated, “We are contributing to saving energy and water consumption, reducing landfill usage, creating jobs, reducing greenhouse emissions, and saving trees and other natural resources. All of these benefits come back to us as members of the college and our community.”

Watt reports the college is paid $70 per ton of high grade paper, $30 per ton for low grade paper and $40 per ton for cardboard. During the previous school year the College was paid a total of $3,675 for all paper recycling.

The recycling program is also an important educational tool. Schnieder said, “The recycling committee’s containers have created teachable moments, ways to educate students outside the classroom.”

To see the Recycling Guide, go to https://www.hvcc.edu/ehs/recycle/materials.pdf . If you have questions or suggestions for the HVCC Recycling Committee, please send them an e-mail at recycle@hvcc.edu.