Tusculum College begins recycling program

Students, faculty and staff at Tusculum College will have the opportunity to recycle mixed paper on campus beginning in September.

Led by the student organization, the Green Team, the new program developed through a partnership with the college’s facilities management department, the Center for Civic Advancement and the Town of Greeneville.

According to Courtney Washburn, program coordinator for the Center for Civic Advancement, the program will provide the campus with the opportunity to recycle mixed paper.

“We are launching a small and focused recycling program in an effort to create sustainable change,” said Washburn. “We expect to see the program grow and expand in availability and acceptable materials as it becomes ingrained within the Tusculum culture and community.”

According to Washburn, marked mixed paper recycling bins are being placed at three locations on campus: the Niswonger Commons, the Thomas J. Garland Library and McCormick Hall. These bins may be used by anyone on campus and will be clearly marked as mixed paper recycling containers. Students from the Green Team will service the bins once a week and take them to collection containers serviced by the Town of Greeneville.

Items that may be placed in the bins include  non-confidential documents and items such as newspaper, mixed office paper, notebook paper, magazines, phone books, envelopes (including window envelops) and sticky notes.  Paper may contain staples; however no paper clips, binder slips or spiral binding may be placed in the bins. Cardboard, cardstock and paperboard, such as cereal boxes, are not being collected at this time.

“We are beginning with mixed paper because on a college campus, it is the largest volume of recyclable material,” said Washburn. She added, however, that as the program grows, waste audits will be conducted to determine what materials would have the most impact when diverted from the college’s waste stream to recycling collection.

Funding to initiate the recycling program came from the Tusculum College Student Government Association.

For more information on the program or to arrange for a large volume mixed paper pick up, contact Washburn at cwashburn@tusculum.edu.