The 3R Program Recycling at Northern Illinois University www.niu.edu NIU Calendar Campus Maps
Northern Illinois University
NIU Phone Book A-Z Index NIU Search


To contact us:
Phone:
815-753-0352
Fax:
815-753-6290

3R Program Physical Plant Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL 60115
 
 
 

  Northern Star Article:  February 23, 1998
Waste not: NIU recycling changes to kick
into high gear next week
  Ryan DePauw

If you haven't noticed, recycling at Northern Illinois University is in a period of transition. One week from today, Student Association Recycling will begin the process of discontinuing recycling services in favor of a recycling program overseen by the university's own Physical Plant. This venture hopes to bring new services, new equipment and an increase in the volume of recyclables to meet a state mandate regarding the percentage of recyclables in the university's waste stream. By the year 2000, NIU is responsible for recycling as much as 40 percent of its waste stream, a number that we have not yet attained and are working toward achieving very soon.
Except for a few "pilot" buildings, recycling at the university will follow the status quo for most students and faculty during the transition. Within DuSable, Watson and Williston halls, the Engineering Building and Grant North "D" Tower, you may notice the placement of new equipment and use of new collection services. The majority of the university's administrative and academic buildings will remain on a central collection program in which students and faculty are accustomed to voluntarily bringing their recyclables to a central bin. Replacing the use of student collection, NIU's own custodial staff now will maintain these central collection containers by moving the recycling bins on a schedule to be picked up by an outside vendor or provider of recycling services.
Again, as a student or faculty member in the majority of the university's buildings, you will not see direct changes in the manner which you handle your recycling. Cardboard, newspaper, office paper, envelopes, magazines and books are still acceptable and can be readily recycled. Please note that beverage containers now will be collected in one stream of materials. In other words, aluminum cans, tin cans, glass and plastics labeled "1" or "2" can be placed in the same central collection containers in most buildings. As well as campus collection, SA Recycling has maintained a community drop-off for quite some time. SA Recycling now utilizes a compartmentalized recycling dumpster just east of the recycling center -- accessible to members of the NIU community, including off-campus residents. These containers have been relocated to Stadium Drive just north of Lincoln Highway, across the street from NIU Transportation.
  Student Association Recycling will continue to assist in the planning and implementation of the university's new recycling program as we move forward this semester. Though the Tom Kennedy Recycling Center will be torn down to make way for the West Campus Master Plan, the students will continue to have a vested interest in assisting to oversee recycling and environmental education at Northern.
I also would like to point out that Earth Week is approaching in April, and I encourage any interested students to stop by the Campus Life Building, Suite 180, to find out more regarding Earth Week events or how one can become more involved.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many students who have made the Student Association Recycling program what it is. During the program's 20 years, hundreds of STUDENTS have contributed to the growth of a program that represented the university's only significant efforts to improve our environment through recycling. Fortunately, years of hard work have paid off, and I am excited to say that recycling is now recognized as valuable and necessary at our university -- by students, as well as staff, faculty and administration. The Student Association has come forward and supports this joint effort to develop a better recycling program for this university in years to come. A past director of recycling, Pete Adrian, put a lot of time and energy into making our program as it is today. It has been my pleasure to work with Eddie Williams, Bob Albanese, Mary Jo Marshall, Shelly Boscamp and Rory Dickinson in developing a program that will lead us into the future.
Please contact myself, Ryan DePauw, SA director of recycling services, at 753-9920 or check out NIU's new recycling Web page at www.niu.edu/recycling for more information. You also can contact the Physical Plant's new recycling hotline at 753-0352 if you have any concerns or comments regarding recycling on campus.