Frequently Asked Questions About Recycling at UNE

Q: What can be put into the paper recycling bins?

A: For details about what can go into the recycle bins, click here paper recycling instructions.

Q: Why can't I put my pizza box or lunch bag into the paper recycling bins or carts?

A: The most critical aspect of recycling is what the recycled material will be used for, i.e., what will be the final product, or what is the end market? Most of the time, recycled paper will be used to make more paper. Now try to imagine that you are going to produce typing paper and you need only white paper or paper you can bleach to make typing paper. Paper with food on it might clog up your machinery, and paperboard cannot be bleached, so the result is brown paper. It is easy to see that what you put in, determines what comes out of your manufacturing process. Therefore, when unauthorized materials get mixed with a load of recycled material, the entire load is contaminated and considered trash.

Q: Why don’t we recycle junk mail and catalogs at UNE?

A: Implementing a program for recycling any material is more than a matter of providing a container. After a container is provided to collect a specific recyclable commodity, a system of collection and storage must be established somewhere on campus. More importantly, the commodity must then be transferred to a facility that can use the material as its resource for the manufacture of a new product. This is perhaps the most difficult part of expanding upon our current recycling program. There are places in the community that take junk mail and catalogs, but collecting it, and transporting it in a cost effective manner is the hard part.

Q: The bin for recycled paper is full - what should I do? I can't empty my personal recycle bin into the central accumulation cart in the hall because it is already full - what should I do?

A: Facilities will be happy to have the central accumulation cart emptied. All you have to do is e-mail ucfacilities@une.edu or call extension 2368 for the Biddeford Campus or e-mail wccfacilities@une.edu or call extension 4368 for the Portland Campus and a work order will be generated.

Q: How can I recycle cardboard on campus?

A: Corrugated cardboard (that is, the type of cardboard with the wavy layer in the middle) can be recycled on campus. Those staff who put cardboard in the hall for housekeeping to remove, must first break down the boxes and remove all packing materials.

Cardboard dumpsters are located at the following sites:
  Behind Decary Hall
  Parking area between Stella Marris and Alfond
  Behind Campus Center
  Behind Alexander Hall (WCC)

Dumpsters are identified with the words, “cardboard only”.

Q: What happens to the bottles and cans for redemption that UNE collects?

A: The bottles and cans are collected on both campuses and the money is deposited into the Recycling Fund. The money collected is used to fund the recycling program in the form of containers, equipment and program improvements

Q: What can I do to help reduce the amount of junk mail and catalogs I receive?

A: Preventing the production of junk mail and catalogs in the first place is the most beneficial thing we can do for the environment. There are several ways to do this:
  Keep a folder of junk mail that you do not want to receive in the future and contact the source of each piece asking them to remove your name from their mailing list.
   
  When placing an order through a mail order company, inquire as to the names of people they have in their mailing list and have them delete old or duplicate staff members.
   
  Request ON-LINE catalog services to replace paper catalogs.
   
  Upon leaving a staff position within a department, remove your name from the mail lists that served you while you filled that position.
   
  Upon entering a staff position as a replacement for another, contact the source of any mailings and change the name to yours. Remove the previous workers’ name from any mailings you don’t want to continue to receive.

Q: What can I do to get involved in the recycling efforts on campus?

A: There are lots of opportunities to become involved with campus recycling activities. Here are some of the ways:
  Join a student organization on campus that promotes environmental projects and activities on campus.
   
  Apply to the Work Study Program and request work in the Environmental Health and Safety Department of Facilities Management (Westbrook or Biddeford Campus).
   
  Contact the recycling coordinator to volunteer your services (extension 2791).
   
  Send an e-mail to UNE SEAS (UNE Schoolwide Environmental Awareness System) organization to get involved on a recycling sub-group uneseas@une.edu.
   
  Become a "recycling point person" for your department. See the recycling coordinator for details (extension 2791), john-Robinson@une.edu
   
  E-mail your questions and ideas and comments to the recycling coordinator at john-Robinson@une.edu
   
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