Single-stream recycling succeeds in city, at UD

As of Sept. 1, both the university and city of Newark have incorporated single-stream recycling into their already present recycling programs. 

Drew Knab, business and project analyst for the office of the executive vice president at the university, said the implementation of the program has gone smoothly so far. 

"We have heard a lot of good feedback from students," Knab said. "We're one of the only campuses in the nation to offer single-stream recycling to our students, with recycling bins in every dorm."

The university had a recycling program in place before the single-stream program went campus-wide. Knab said the university launched a pilot single-stream program on Laird and South campuses last fall. The pilot program also initiated a Game Day Recycling Program.

The Game Day Recycling Program has thus far shown a 10 percent increase in recyclables picked up at football games, he said. At the first three games last season, approximately 17 tons of trash were collected and 5.26 tons of recyclables were picked up, resulting in a 24 percent diversion rate. The first three games of this season have yielded approximately 13 tons of trash and 6.87 tons of recyclables, a 34 percent diversion rate.

The diversion rate for recycling percentages is calculated by dividing the total number of recyclables collected by the total amount of trash and recyclables together.

Knab said he personally expects the numbers to grow each month as the publicity for the program increases, and then drop during winter break when students are away from campus.

Richard Lapointe, director of public works for the city of Newark, said the Curbside Recycling Program in Newark has been beneficial to the city. Prior to implementation of the curbside pickup, the community had to take its recyclables to a drop-off area located outside the city. The curbside program has made recycling more convenient to the community since starting on June 19, he said.

Since June, the city has produced approximately 500 tons of recyclables and 1,300 tons of trash, he said.

"The program has been going very well," Lapointe said. "The transition went relatively smooth, and we've picked up close to what we were projecting."

The university has demonstrated high diversion rates, as well. For the month of September 2007, while operating only on a separate-stream program, the diversion rate was approximately 13 percent. September 2008 had approximately a 22 percent diversion rate, including single stream recycling on Laird and South campuses and separate stream elsewhere campus-wide. September 2009 had approximately a 30 percent diversion rate, using solely the single stream program, Knab said.

"By comparing September 2007 to September 2009, one can see the impact of the new system — a 139 percent increase in the university recycling diversion rate," he said.

Sophomore Felicity Laird lives in Christiana West Tower and said she is glad the program has been implemented because it has allowed her to recycle on a daily basis. She did not recycle her freshman year, as living in Dickinson made it difficult.

"The university has done a really good job," Laird said. "They've given every room in the Towers a blue container, and then they have all these bins outside by Lot 6, where all the people on North campus park. You can basically put whatever recycling there you want. You don't have to sort it. So, it's really easy."

She said she recycles everything she possibly can, including bottles, cans, plastic, cardboard and paper. Laird said the bins in each dorm room also make it more convenient.

"I make sure my roommates do a good job and recycle as much as they can, too," she said.

Living off campus is a real possibility for Laird next year. She said she will be looking into Newark's Curbside Recycling Program when she is looking for a place to live next semester.

 Lapointe said Newark's Curbside Program has serviced approximately 5,200 homes so far. He is projecting that number will increase as more student-inhabited homes become part of the program.

Junior Danielle Ellis is a resident of North Street and participates in the Curbside Program with the permission of her landlord. Prior to this year she did not recycle, but she said the convenience of the program has now allowed her to do so.

"I recycle both at home and on campus," Ellis said. "I try to recycle as much as possible."

The impact of adding new containers and switching to a single stream recycling program has significantly increased the university's diversion rate, Knab said. The diversion rate of approximately 31 percent that the university produced this past September is the highest diversion rate the university has ever recorded campus-wide.

"Since it was the first month of single stream recycling, we expect it to rise slightly in October as faculty, staff and students get more familiar with the program," he said.

Knab said while these statistics are promising, the university is still working on improving the system even further with their state partner, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, by refining their communication plans and strategies and improving the placement of the bins.