Links Contacts

The recycling program at MIT is coordinated by the department of Utilities and operates in conjunction with the Environmental Programs Task Force (EPTF); the Working Group Recycling Task Group (WGR) serves as a liaison between the Utilities staff and EPTF. Share A Vital Earth (SAVE), a student-run environmental organization, also participates in campus-wide recycling efforts.

According to the 2001 EPTF Annual Report, MIT recycling performance was a case of "good news/ bad news." On the upside, recycled material totaled 993 tons, an increase of more than 50% over 2000 totals. On the downside, our total recycling rate-12.4%- fell well beneath the target level of 30% and was significantly less than the 20.3% rate achieved by the end of 2000. Thus despite the 50% increase in recycled tonnage, the rate of recycling declined due to one simple fact: MIT is producing significantly more trash than ever before.

Dining facility waste-which includes all food scraps and packaging-is second only to paper waste when it comes to percentage of total garbage we generate; it therefore represents an important target for any waste reduction program.

While MIT has made notable progress recycling of paper and demolition debris, recycling at campus eateries has fallen by the wayside. Out of the five venues included in this report, only Walker currently has a recycling bin within the dining area. And this singlereceptacle-in a place as busy as Walker-was often stuffedto the brim, forcing people discard their recyclables in the trash. None of the five venues have designated receptacles in the dishroom/kitchen for disposal of recyclable tray waste.We also found, in talking to staff members, that large amounts of corrugated cardboard (from boxes) are being thrown into the regular trash.

Compounding the problem of the lack of recycling bins in the dining venues, students also seem unaware or only partially aware of what things are eligible for recycling. One often sees plastic to-go boxes, for example, in regular trashcans, despite the fact that they are recyclable. Many people also throw out used containers, under the impression that "dirty" plastics must first be rinsed out in order to be recycled.

Frustratingly, no one we contacted in EPTF or facilities was able to give us a simple answer as to how one gets a recycling bin into a dining hall. Whether due to a misallocation of responsibilities or other reasons unknown to us, this "hole in the system" should and can be plugged. < Fortunately, EPTF is open willing to serve as the forum for students to bring their concerns to the attention of MIT dining services and the individual food service providers (Sodexho, Bon Appetit, Aramark).

On the immediate agenda is getting an adequate number of recycling bins into all campus dining venues-both in the eating area for student use and in the kitchen for staff use. The design of the recycling bin itself can be a potent influence on behavior. Take Walker's "slimjim" bin (see photo), for example. The round holes seem to indicate that only bottles and cans should go into the receptacle; not many people think to lift the lid to toss in their plastic take-out boxes. With help from SAVE and EPTF, we hope to launch a campus-wide contest for the design of a one-stop compost/recycle/trash station to be put in place at all major dining facilities (see recommendations). Also needed is a vigorous publicity campaign to: 1) heighten general awareness of the significant environmental and economic benefits of recycling, 2) educate students, staff, faculty in the do's and don'ts of recycling at MIT, with specific attention to food service packaging. Finally, to ensure long-term efficacy, we advocate a periodic review (perhaps by members of the Recycling Task Group) of recycling efforts within the dining facilities.

*picture obtained from Brown University's website

Some useful links:

Environmental Programs Task Force (EPTF): http://web.mit.edu/environment/getinvolved/eptf.html

Share A Vital Earth (SAVE): http://web.mit.edu/save/www/

Environment Health & Safety @MIT: http://web.mit.edu/environment/initiatives/recycling.html

General tips for recycling at MIT:http://web.mit.edu/facilities/www/recycle/

Beyond the dining halls-residential recycling at MIT: http://web.mit.edu/residence/recycling/

National Recycling Coalition: http://www.nrc-recycle.org/

EPA site of recycling: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/recycle.htm

Contacts:

Kevin Healy - Recycling and Waste Managment

Anne Wasserman - Co-Chair

Sally Honda - Co-Chair