Sustainability…
Your University, Your World.
Recycling and resource use are critical components of Northern Illinois University's campus sustainability efforts. In a world of finite resources, the ways we use resources to support university operations and campus life, and the way we manage our waste products play a key role in defining the University's environmental footprint.
Increased recycling and more sustainable purchasing practices will not only help encourage environmental awareness among NIU’s community of faculty, staff, and students, but will also yield long-term financial savings. To raise awareness of resource use and recycling on the NIU campus the NIU 3R program is implementing strategies to enhance campus-wide recycling systems, update long-term waste disposal, and promote responsible resource use through green purchasing, conservation, and smart technology.
The Facilities and Environment Working Group is currently developing a plan to enhance the sustainability efforts at Northern Illinois University campus. This plan includes campus beautification and campus improvements. The 3R Recycling program is Adding to these efforts by enhancing our single-stream recycling system and improving recycling options outdoors and in the residence halls.
Our Goal
At NIU, we are dedicated to to improving our current recycling systems and minimize resourse use to better reach our campus sustainability efforts. By implementing recycling options for all materials and improving university management of materials, we will reduce our conmsumption, contribution to the landfill, and minimize our carbon footprint.
The NIU 3R program aims to educate students, faculty, and staff on how to reduse resource use and how to properly utilize the various campus recycling programs. Bettering campus recycling is only the first step of many that will encourage campus and community sustainability efforts.