After implementing the Central Trash and Recycle pilot program last winter, we are moving forward campus-wide with the program in the coming weeks.  A student driven initiative through the leadership education and development (LEAD) capstone and the Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL) group, the focus of this initiative is to become better stewards of the environment consistent with Drake’s sustainability goals. Not only does this effort streamline operations, but it also has a huge environmental impact by reducing over 50,000 trash liners from entering the landfill each year.

We tried this program out in several buildings last spring as part of a pilot program. This gave us the chance to collect building user feedback and adjust how the program operates. In addition, knowledge gained from working with other universities that already implemented central trash and recycle programs has proven helpful as we developed the following guidelines.

How it works:

• Each workspace will continue to be equipped with a seven-gallon blue recycling bin as well as a tan mini bin for landfill waste. Note: If your workspace does not have one or either of these two bins, you can request them from Mitchell Wieczorek at mitchell.wieczorek@drake.edu.
• When either bin is full, take it to your nearest centralized location and empty the individual bins into the large central bin.
• Custodial will still empty the large central bins every day during the workweek.
• You may wish, and we would prefer, that you to take food waste and larger items directly to the central location. Plastic liners will not be provided for individual bins. Plastic grocery bags may be used as a substitute, but we prefer you skip the bag altogether and only dispose of dry items in your individual office bin.

The day this program starts in your building, you will arrive to find your workspace bins both empty and your small bin turned upside-down in your blue bin.  Our goal is to have academic buildings transitioned by Aug. 27 and others by fall break.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping Drake to become a better steward of our environment. Please contact Mitchell Wieczorek at mitchell.wieczorek@drake.edu with any questions or concerns.

Mitchell Wieczorek, Facilities Planning and Management