Energy Research, Policy and Campus Sustainability
What's New!
Did You Know...
Boise State participates in RecycleMania, a nationwide competition to reduce solid waste!
This activity, sponsored by the Environmental Health Club is focusing on the SUB and the ILC food services areas. Look for your opportunity to do your share!
Our new recycling “Toters”
...and coming soon, our new recycling cabinets.
Recycling at Boise State
Overview
Yes, it’s true, Boise State recycles, but we admit that the current system has some growing pains. We’re asking you to help us improve the system through your cooperation and suggestions. Send us a suggestion! Or you can send your recycle requests directly to campusrecycling@boisestate.edu
What Recycles?
This is a great question and one that is the source of much confusion here at Boise State. Particularly in the last few months, changing industry standards has led to changes in what we can recycle. So here’s the straight answer to the question: “What can I recycle?”
- Paper - All paper! Colored, white, glossy, junk mail, newspaper and yes, shredded paper can (and should) be recycled. No need to sort it. We’re continuing to deploy new wheeled recycling containers (see photo at right) at strategic locations. Just put your paper in those! The old recycling bags (white and blue) continue to work for collection as we phase them out. No sorting is required!
- Aluminum - The biggest energy savings due to recycling comes from aluminum. All aluminum including soda cans and pie pans are recyclable.
- Plastic - All ordinary household containers, particularly water bottles and plastic food containers are recyclable. We ask that you make sure they are empty and that you remove the bottle caps to make it easier to crush (and hence haul) the water bottles.
- Cardboard - Corrugated cardboard is particularly recyclable. Please break down the box and place it behind (or near) the paper recycling tote.
- Batteries - Batteries are best recycled through departmental offices. Call Cal (426-3999) or Wendy (426-3303) for instructions.
Why do recycling bins look different all over campus?
Our recycling program has grown somewhat organically over the years. We are currently standardizing the recycling bins for all the academic buildings (the SUB runs their own program). The photograph on the left shows the new recycling cabinet design that are beginning to be deployed around campus. Look for them in the Education, Business and Engineering buildings very soon.
I don’t know how recycling works in my building! Whom should I ask?
The first point of contact for the placement of recycling bins or problems related to them is your building coordinator. Find your building coordinator >>
I’ve got some ideas to make this work better, how do I get in touch with the right person?
The university office of Energy Research, Policy and Campus Sustainability coordinates the recycling programs on campus. We’re always interested in your thoughts. Contact us!
Do you know what happens to the items on campus that are recycled?
Most of the recycled materials are sent to a local Boise company, Western Recycling. All recyclable items are sorted locally on-site. Paper, newspaper and cardboard are sent to various mills in Oregon and Washington State. Aluminum items are sent to a facility in Kentucky and made into cans. Plastics are shipped overseas to China and melted down into other plastic products. Recycled newspapers are pulped down and re-sold back to the various newspaper companies, such as the Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Press Tribune to be used again in newsprint. Other papers products, such as office paper, magazines etc are pulped down and sold to other mills and made into a variety of paper products, such as office paper, paper towels and toilet paper.