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FORT LEWIS COLLEGE RECYCLES!
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Fort Lewis College Recycles!
Durango is an outdoor recreation and appreciation wonderland. From the majestic San Juan Mountains to the shimmering Animas River, FLC students respect the local environment. We show our regard for the natural world by working to protect it. Reducing waste and recycling are just some of the many ways we can work to preserve the beauty around us.
Recycling is a term often used to define the entire waste reduction loop. However, waste reduction has three components: reduce, reuse, and lastly, recycle. Recycling is the final means for salvaging waste materials and should be done only when a material can no longer be reused. When an object is recycled, it is melded back into its raw materials and then reformed to make new objects. Recycling is one of the most environmentally responsible ways to deal with waste material and can help to prolong the life of our landfills and our resource base. Remember, in order to prevent an object from becoming trash, we should first reduce our need to produce it.
Recycling on Campus
Students and staff play a large part in our recycling program because it is based on source-separation. This means people who generate materials to be discarded voluntarily separate them into categories of recyclables and waste. Bins are provided throughout the campus and are specifically labeled for the different categories of recyclables. This will prevent materials from being contaminated with trash. There are over 20 outside bins and 20 inside bin locations on campus. This includes a set of recycle bins near every FLC dumpster, for your convenience. Also, every dormitory and every lecture hall has at least one recycle bin outside the building.
Although the trash cans still out number the recycle bins at FLC, you should feel good for putting in the extra effort it takes to recycle. Future generations are depending on you for it, and we thank you for participating in our program.
Source Separation:
Your Responsibility
Recycling is a privilege and a responsibility. Please remember:
· Only bottle shaped plastics marked #1 and #2 are recyclable.
· Rinse food and drink from all containers.
· Remove all lids from containers.
· Plastic lids are NOT RECYCLABLE.
· Metal lids ARE RECYCLABLE.
· Flatten the open end of tin cans to prevent aluminum cans from getting lodged inside.
· Aluminum foil and pie plates are NOT RECYCLABLE.
· Break down cardboard boxes and leave next to or between the bins.
· Paperboard (shoebox, milk carton paper) is NOT RECYCLABLE.
·Know what is and is not recyclable. Get a copy of our list: Acceptable Items
Frequently Asked Questions about Recycling
Environmental Center Collections
The Environmental Center collects ink jet and laser jet cartridges. If you have a Hewlett-Packard laser jet cartridge, please bring it to the Environmental Center with the return address label. If we cannot recycle your particular model of cartridge, we'll send it back to Hewlett-Packard for you. The only cartridges we know for sure we cannot recycle are Epson ink jets.
Our drop off location is under the stairs between the EC and KDUR. Please spread the word about our ink-jet and laser-jet recycling program as it is a fundraiser for the Environmental Center!
What about batteries?
The Environmental Center used to be the only place in town to recycle batteries. But now you can drop off your batteries at one of several locations around town. Look for the plastic tubes with the green top at all local grocery stores, including Nature's Oasis and Durango Natural Foods, as well as at the Durango Public Library, the Courthouse, Office Depot, and Wal-Mart. Recycling batteries has never been so easy. Because of the EC is NOT accepting batteries anymore. Thank you to Durango Public Works for providing this important service.
Physical Plant Services
FLC’s recyclables are collected by a member of Physical Plant Services and taken to the Durango community drop off site at the Physical Plant. Bob Wharton is currently the collector. If you see Bob Wharton collecting recyclables in his orange PPS truck, tell him ‘thanks.’
City of Durango Recycling Program
The Fort Lewis College Recycling Program is directly dependent upon the awesome recycling facilities provided by the City of Durango. To learn more about Durango’s Recycling Program, visit: www.durangogov.org/resident/services/recycling.html
The Benefits of Recycling
Saves Natural Resources
By making products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we
conserve land and reduce the need to drill for oil and dig for minerals. Source
Reduction also saves energy and resources by preventing the creation of wastes.
Saves Energy
It usually takes less energy to make recycled products. The production of cans
from recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95% less energy than producing new
aluminum cans from raw bauxite ore.
Saves Clean Air and Water
In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air
pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.
Saves landfill space
When the materials that you recycle go into new products, they don't go into
landfills or incinerators, so landfill space is conserved.
Saves Money and Creates Jobs
The recycling process creates far more jobs than landfills or incinerators, and
recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for
cities and towns.