Recycling Program

The University’s recycling program, Recyclin’ Irish, helps the campus community conserve natural resources by providing programs for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. The program began in 1990 with the recycling of aluminum, newspaper, glass, and plastic. Details of the materials recycled can be found in the following chart: recycling figures.xls.

In its first year, the University recycled nearly 133,000 pounds of waste. Today, the program has grown to include wood, mixed metals, mixed paper, magazines, corrugated cardboard, compost, and boiler ash. Last year, the University recycled over 13.7 million pounds of waste.

The University has transitioned to single-stream recycling. This means all recyclable items can be mixed together, with the exception of cardboard which we ask be kept separate. Sorting is no longer required for glass, plastic, aluminum, polystyrene, and paper. For questions on recyclable items or to request a recycling container, please contact Pat O’Hara at Patrick.L.O’Hara.2@nd.edu.

The following articles detail the University’s approach to Recycling and Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Practices:

• Recycling: 9 Steps to Success
• Making ‘Green’ Work
• Keeping it Clean by Going ‘Green’
• The Greening of Custodial Operations

Recently, the University began From Old 2 Gold, an annual program which supports the local community by selling belongings students no longer wish to keep after move-out. Items donated by students are provided to the University for a large yard sale held in Notre Dame Stadium. All profits are distributed to local service agencies. In 2006, From Old 2 Gold received 108,000 pounds of student belongings, 3,500 pounds of food, and raised 28,000 dollars for participating agencies.

The benefits of From Old 2 Gold are extensive: reducing waste sent to landfills, providing food for people in need, and raising funds for local agencies.

The enthusiasm of our students has resulted in programs such as Game Day Recycling, where we piloted a program to collect recycleables in select parking lots and campus locations on Football Saturdays. The test run was a great success with nearly 5,000 pounds of glass, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard collected. We are working to expand the program to all parking lots and throughout campus for the 2008 football season.

The University is an active RecycleMania participant, competing this year in the residential category. Details of the program can be found at recyclemania.com