Recycling - Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we have to buy recycling bins? Isn't that wasteful when we can simply relabel some of the current trash cans or use cardboard bins?
In order to have a strong recycling program and move towards our ultimate goal of zero waste, we need to have recycling bins campus wide. We chose the Rubbermaid bins for a variety of reasons including durability, functionality, and price. We chose the color blue to clearly differentiate the recycling bins from the trash cans and create uniformity plus many people already associate the color blue with recycling. As you probably know, we can now commingle various paper products in the same container as bottles and cans. Because of the commingling, can juice will inevitably find its way into these bins and cardboard is not a material that can be cleaned. Liquid residue can create a smelly situation and eventually attract critters. It's also makes it difficult for custodians to differentiate between cardboard boxes used for recycling and cardboard boxes used for storage.

Why can't we use bigger bins?
While bigger bins hold more, they can become incredibly heavy when filled to capacity with solid items like books and paper. Not only can heavy bins cause injuries to custodial staff who service them but custodians have a 50 pound weight limit, and larger bins with paper products easily exceed that limit.

What happened to the original 96 gallon toters Weyerhaeuser provided us with and what should we be using now?
Weyerhaeuser no longer services our campus because their contract with ASU ended in May of 2008 and since those were their bins, they were returned to them. Now that the new program has debuted in a majority of buildings on campus, we permanently removed most of the 40 gallon bins and 96 gallon toters. Each department should now have seven gallon blue bins at each desk/cubicle and 23 gallon bins near each large trash can in their area unless told otherwise.

How can departments purchase seven gallon and 23 gallon recycling bins?
Log in to Stapleslink: http://www.stapleslink.com
In the search field, enter item number 540633 for the 23 gallon Rubbermaid Slim Jim® recycling container, or 266429 for the 7 gallon Rubbermaid desk-side recycling container. Enter the quantities for each, and select the Add to Order button for each.

23 gallon Rubbermaid Slim Jim® Container	7 gallon Rubbermaid Desk-side Container

If you do not have access to Stapleslink, please email asustores@asu.edu to get an ID and password set up.

Why do departments have to buy their own recycling bins?
Just as departments buy their own trash bins, computers, etc. for employees you will now also buy a blue seven gallon recycling bin for $3.99 from Staples. (It is not necessary to buy an individual bin for each person if they share a cubicle or office space). Departments must also purchase a 23 gallon recycling bin for each large trash bin in their area. Recycling and other sustainability measures are becoming part of the fabric of each and every department so everyone is sharing in the cost of the new bins for their areas. In order to save money, some departments are turning extra trash cans into recycling bins by painting them blue.

Why don't we have more recycling bins?
Since the eventual goal is to have a recycling bin near virtually every trash bin on all four campuses, we are trying to secure more containers through grants and sponsorships because we currently don't have the funds to purchase enough bins. These bins will be placed in outdoor areas, common areas in buildings, and classrooms.

Has the University invested any money in the recycling program?
Yes, general university funds were used to pay for 21 new trash and recycling compactors, nine of which are solar powered. Compactors were needed for the new program because they hold significantly more recyclables and trash therefore reducing pickups and improving our carbon footprint. In order to pay off the compactors in three to seven years, we need to reach a recycling bin contamination rate of 20% or less while increasing the amount of items recycled.