History
View Loads to Landfill 2007-08 | View ISU Items Recycled 2007-08
In late 1990,
With little knowledge of recycling techniques and no budget, the Waste Management Department started recycling. The first thing the department began recycling was aluminum cans because "everyone else was doing it," greenbar computer paper (ground wood) and glass. Additional items were soon added to the program.
When it appeared the program was beginning to make a real difference in the amount of waste diverted from the landfill, administration became enthused.
From that point, the recycling program gained momentum. In the last half of the first year, 90,000 pounds of waste had been recycled and 24% had been saved from entering the local landfill. Each year since 1990, ISU has been able to recycle more waste while reducing the total amount that once entered the landfill.
From May 1990 to June 30, 2007 Indiana State University recycled more than 28 million pounds of recyclable material, which was diverted from the local landfill. Recycling has created a savings of close to $1,000,000 in landfill tipping fees and other associated charges.