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In 1971, Western Washington University became one of the first universities in the United States to have a campus recycling program. The A.S. Recycle Center continues to be unique among its kind: it's student - run!
Every day, the A.S. Recycle Center collects 3,800 pounds of recyclables from Western's campus, continuing our commitment to reducing Western's waste stream and lightening our burden on the environment.
Mixed Paper: includes notebook paper, spiral notebooks (spiral attached ok), computer paper, recycled paper, newspapers, magazines, phone books, envelopes (windows attached ok), post-it notes, and paperboard (e.g. flattened tissue boxes) [a little tape, glue, or staples is ok].
- Flatten Paperboard
- Place in Depot
Aluminum/Tin: includes aluminum cans (e.g. soda pop cans) tin cans (e.g.tuna fish cans) [labels are ok].
- Rinse Can
- Place in Depot
Glass Bottles: includes clear glass bottles (like juice bottles) green glass bottles (like sparkling water bottles) brown glass bottles (like rootbeer bottles) [labels are ok].
- Remove Lid
- Rinse Bottle
- Place in Depot
Plastic Bottles: includes plastic bottles with necks (like bottled water, sodapop, and Odwalla bottles).
- Remove Lid
- Rinse Bottle
- Place in Depot
Cardboard: includes cardboard (like pizza boxes and computer boxes).
- Remove Food or Styrofoam
- FLATTEN
- Place in Depot
As much as we'd like to be able to recycle absolutely everything, there are some items that the Recycle Center simply can't collect, because our local recycle market does not accept these items. Our list here consists of a few non-recyclable items which we often find in our recycle bins.
Milk & Juice Cartons: Not recyclable! These are not really paper, but a mix of paper, plastic, wax and foil and are not accepted by our local market.
Yogurt, Margarine & Sour Cream Containers: Not recyclable! Only containers with a screw top lid or a bottle neck are recyclable. We suggest that you save these containers and use them as planters, paper clip holders, paint palettes or food storage containers.
Paper Coffee & Soda Cups: Not recyclable! We suggest that you simply avoid using these items whenever you can. We Recycle Center folks always carry a reusable mug with us, and if we get our coffee at a café, we ask for a 'for here' cup.
Large foam, molded Styrofoam: Not recyclable! For information on recycling your peanut Styrofoam, see our Office Brochure.
Plastic Packaging, Food & General Trash: Not recyclable! Thin plastic packaging is not recyclable, nor are the containers which your food comes in from our campus cafes. Transparencies are also not recyclable.
Plate Glass: Not recyclable! We cannot recycle windows, mirrors or broken dishes.
If you have any questions about what is recyclable, call us at 650-3088 and we will be happy to answer your questions!
Milk & Juice Cartons: Not recyclable! These are not really paper, but a mix of paper, plastic, wax and foil and are not accepted by our local market.
Yogurt, Margarine & Sour Cream Containers: Not recyclable! Only containers with a screw top lid or a bottle neck are recyclable. We suggest that you save these containers and use them as planters, paper clip holders, paint palettes or food storage containers.
Paper Coffee & Soda Cups: Not recyclable! We suggest that you simply avoid using these items whenever you can. We Recycle Center folks always carry a reusable mug with us, and if we get our coffee at a café, we ask for a 'for here' cup.
Large foam, molded Styrofoam: Not recyclable! For information on recycling your peanut Styrofoam, see our Office Brochure.
Plastic Packaging, Food & General Trash: Not recyclable! Thin plastic packaging is not recyclable, nor are the containers which your food comes in from our campus cafes. Transparencies are also not recyclable.
Plate Glass: Not recyclable! We cannot recycle windows, mirrors or broken dishes.
If you have any questions about what is recyclable, call us at 650-3088 and we will be happy to answer your questions!
In the early 1970s, a small campus recycling program - one of the first in the country! - was started by a group of Huxley students and University Central Stores. 1976 marked the year when the A.S. incorporated the Recycle Center and began its commitment to the program. Over the years, the A.S. has provided not only generous financial support, but has also gifted the Recycle Center with three trucks, two forklifts and a house to operate out of. Recycling not being the industry that it is today, it was necessary to sell the recycled goods to local companies. Georgia Pacific accepted the paper, while local businesses took the tin, aluminum and glass. The A.S. Community Drop Off Center aspect of the program also contributed greatly to the Recycle Center's funding.
In its beginning, the Recycle Center was run by ten paid students, who collected about 233 lbs. of recyclables from Western's campus every day. But as the years went by, the AS realized that there needed to be some continuity in leadership to maintain an effective Recycling program. So in 1987, a full time coordinator was hired to oversee the student managers and employees. This marked a great improvement in the overall productivity of the Recycle Center - student employees could come and go, but the ultimate goals of the RC would always be met.
Western's campus has grown a lot over the years, and in 1995 it was time to move the Recycle Center to a location more suitable for the large amount of recycling that was being processed. A new, larger building was built to house the Recycle Center. The old building, which was really just a small house located where the C lots are now, was partially recycled and the rest was burnt down as a part of fire fighter training.
Today, the Recycle Center employs one coordinator, three student managers and a staff of ten students. This group of fourteen is responsible for collecting 3,800 pounds of recyclables every day. Though a lot has changed during the past thirty years, our purpose remains the same: to provide as many recycling opportunities on campus as possible, thereby reducing our consumption of natural resources and our impact on the environment.
Join Our Team!
Though the Recycle Center isn't always hiring, we are always accepting applications for our staff positions. You can fill out and turn in an application at the A.S. Personnel Office, Viking Union 505. When we have an availability, we will call you for an interview. Applications are held for one year. To check and see if a position is open, you can go to the Center for Student Work Experience or check the postings at VU 505.
Hiring for management positions happens yearly, at the beginning of Spring Quarter. Applications can be picked up at the A.S. Personnel Office. While the hiring for these and other Associated Students jobs happens in the spring, the job does not start until Fall Quarter.
Though the Recycle Center isn't always hiring, we are always accepting applications for our staff positions. You can fill out and turn in an application at the A.S. Personnel Office, Viking Union 505. When we have an availability, we will call you for an interview. Applications are held for one year. To check and see if a position is open, you can go to the Center for Student Work Experience or check the postings at VU 505.
Hiring for management positions happens yearly, at the beginning of Spring Quarter. Applications can be picked up at the A.S. Personnel Office. While the hiring for these and other Associated Students jobs happens in the spring, the job does not start until Fall Quarter.
Job Descriptions
For detailed copies of the job descriptions, visit the A.S. Personnel Office in Viking Union 505.
Staff: Recycle Center staff is responsible for picking up recycling from campus; sorting recyclables; and general clean up around the Recycle Center. It is necessary to be enrolled at Western with a minimum of ten credits and have a driver's license in order to fill a staff position.
Operations Manager: The Operations Manager supervises personnel performing regular functions related to collection and handling of materials. He or she plans and recommends improvements for handling and storing material, changes in deliveries, schedules and other procedures.
For detailed copies of the job descriptions, visit the A.S. Personnel Office in Viking Union 505.
Staff: Recycle Center staff is responsible for picking up recycling from campus; sorting recyclables; and general clean up around the Recycle Center. It is necessary to be enrolled at Western with a minimum of ten credits and have a driver's license in order to fill a staff position.
Operations Manager: The Operations Manager supervises personnel performing regular functions related to collection and handling of materials. He or she plans and recommends improvements for handling and storing material, changes in deliveries, schedules and other procedures.
Staff Manager: The Staff Manager supervises collection activities and working with staff in the recycle collection process, maintains records of materials collected from campus pick-ups, and plans and recommends changes in recycling procedures and processes when appropriate.
Recycle Educator: The Recycle Educator works within the Western community to promote reducing, reusing and recycling. He or she coordinates Eco Rep activities, designs posters, signs and other advertisement for the Recycle Center and puts on programs which promote the goals of the Recycle Center.
Recycle Center Phone: 650-3088
Richard Neyer, Coordinator
Email Richard: Richard.Neyer@wwu.edu
Malia Hieb, Staff Manager
Email Malia: hiebm@cc.wwu.edu
Gina Traurner, Operations Manager
Email Gina: ginabina_8@hotmail.com
Sally McLaughlin, Educator
Email Sally: as.recycle.educator@wwu.edu
The Recycle Center continues to be operated by student staff. The staff, which is composed of about ten students, picks up recycle barrels from the residence hall, academic/administrative building and office depots throughout the week. Approximately 500 barrels are then sorted and their contents prepared for the recycle market.
Richard Neyer, Coordinator
Email Richard: Richard.Neyer@wwu.edu
Malia Hieb, Staff Manager
Email Malia: hiebm@cc.wwu.edu
Gina Traurner, Operations Manager
Email Gina: ginabina_8@hotmail.com
Sally McLaughlin, Educator
Email Sally: as.recycle.educator@wwu.edu
Q: What do I do if my bin is overflowing?
Call the Recycle Center at 650-3088 and we will gladly do an emergency collection as soon as possible.
Q: Can I bring my recycling from home?
No. The Recycle Center is limited in its resources and is unable to take non-campus recycling.
Q: Where do I recycle batteries?
Collect your used batteries in an old margarine container or plastic bag. When it's full, tape it up securely, label it 'batteries' and drop it into a cans/plastic recycle bin.
Q: Why can't we have recycle bins next to every garbage can?
The Recycle Center could not possibly afford to purchase so many recycling bins for campus. In addition, the cost of paying employees to constantly collect those recycling bins would be out of our price range. When you need to recycle something and are not directly next to a recycle bin - hold onto it! Chances are, there is one nearby. Mixed paper barrels located on every floor of every building, and barrels for aluminum, glass and plastic are generally near vending machines.
Q: Are pizza boxes recyclable?
Yes! Please be sure to remove all pizza and trash before recycling!
