Washtenaw Community College's resource management practices are governed by the principles set out in the Waste Hierarchy.
WCC's Recycling Operation works to minimize the amount of recyclable material sent to landfill. Recycling is truly a campus wide activity which will only achieve optimal success if everyone is making conscious sustainable decisions when disposing of items. Recycling stations are located all over campus in classrooms, offices, public areas, and other locations. Typically each station consists of one bin for paper and card products, another for plastic, glass, and metal bottles and containers, and a bin for landfill.
WCC ensures that outgoing recycling material is clean and uncontaminated. WCC Recycle Department employees sort all recyclable materials ensuring a high quality product is shipped offsite. Working with the WCC community the Recycle Department endeavors to ensure everyone understands how their choices can have a positive environmental impact.
Indoor Recycling
The indoor recycling stations are always be set out in the same order left to right
- Bottles Cans and Containers
- Mixed Paper and Card
- Landfill
Green- Bottles, Cans and Containers
- Plastic bottles and containers #1-7 - such as drink bottles, sushi trays, yogurt pots, etc. rinse well.
- Tin and aluminum cans and lids - rinsed well. Empty aerosol cans are OK.
- Glass – bottles and jars rinsed well
Blue - Mixed Paper and Card
- Newspaper and junk mail mix, glossy inserts
- Magazines, catalogues, paperback and phone books
- Office paper, note paper, envelopes
- Paper bags
- Cereal boxes, and box board boxes and sleeves
Corrugated cardboard boxes too large for the bins should be set out for custodial services to collect
Black - Landfill
- All residual waste placed in this bin will go to landfill
Please think carefully before placing items in the landfill bin, items will go directly to landfill without sorting.
The most common error made is the placement of disposable coffee cups, both paper and Styrofoam, in the recycle bin. Coffee cups are not recyclable and residual coffee contaminates the whole bin. Please use a refillable/reusable cup whenever possible.
Food Composting
Food waste produced in kitchens and break rooms on campus can be composted in WCC’s
Vermicomposting system. If you would like a Food Caddy for waste coffee grounds and
filters, egg shells, fruits, and vegetables. Please contact the Recycle Department
or place a FAMIS work order. The castings from the composting system are used in WTMC’s
Core Garden.
Outdoor Recycling
You will see a series of recycling stations outside close to building entrances.
Bottles and Cans via Green Bin
Bottles and cans go in the green bin outside. There is no paper recycling provided in outdoor spaces. Please take your paper indoors for recycling.
PLEASE PLACE SINGLE USE COFFEE CUPS IN THE LANDFILL BIN.
WCC Staff and Faculty can also recycle
Plastic bags and shrink wrap
Clean plastic grocery bags, refuse bags, and shrink wrap can be recycled
Bubblewrap, and Packing Peanuts
Bubblewrap and packing peanuts are collected by the Recycle Department for reuse. Please make sure all items are clean, dry and bagged.
Styrofoam
Hard ‘snapable’ Styrofoam can be recycled.
Bag these items and leave them with you regular recycling for collection by custodial staff.
Electronic Waste
Media and small eWaste
CD’s, DVD’s, and Floppies can be recycled.
VHS AND CASSETTE TAPES MUST BE PLACED IN THE TRASH
Batteries
WCC Generated Batteries are Recycled: If you work in an area that produces many used batteries for recycling please ask about a collection bin. Alkaline, Lead Acid, and rechargeable batteries such as Nicad, NiMH, Lithium Ion, and Lithium button are all accepted.
WCC encourages the community to use rechargeable batteries instead of single life alkaline batteries. Additionally, please do not bring batteries from home to recycle at WCC this is counterproductive to our shared goals.
Becky Andrews
Resource Recovery Manager
Recycle Operations
Phone: 734-677-5312
Fax: 734-677-5475
Email: rjandrews@wccnet.edu
For items not found on the list that may be recyclable, please email your suggestions to the Recycle Operations Manager.