Upgrade of Manawatu campus recycling system under way
Students and staff on the Manawatu campus will notice changes to the recycling system this month with new more user-friendly bins, better signs and a new option to separate organic waste from other rubbish.
The changes follow research and recommendations from Master of Environmental Management student Rony Da Costa and have been prompted by requests from staff, particularly those using the Dining Hall and based in the Library. They have also been supported by Dr Allanagh Ryan, who chairs the University's Sustainability Steering Group.
Mr Da Costa's research identified the need to:
- Improve consistency with the Palmerston North City Council approach to recycling
- Make it clear through signage what should and should not be placed in bins
- Find the locations on campus that will encourage the most buy-in by students, staff and visitors to campus.
- Provide options for organic waste
- Redesign the recycling stations to encourage use
The first changes will be on Wednesday (October 12) with the new four-bin recycling stations being rolled out in the Dining hall, Concourse and level 2 of the Library, for co-mingled paper, plastic and cans; glass (all bottles); organic; and general waste.
Campus facilities management operations manager Kerry-Lee Probert says staff will monitor the success of the trial before extending it to the Hokowhitu site and elsewhere at Turitea.
The contractor, Transpacific Industries Group (NZ) Ltd, is one of the leading providers of comprehensive waste and environmental services in Australia and New Zealand, Ms Probert says. "Once we are comfortable that this is working well will review locations at Hokowhitu and the rest of Turitea. We are confident that the stickers on the bins will clarify what goes in what bin. However, the key message is that contaminated recycling cannot be recycled, so when in doubt please use the general waste bins."
Initially general bin liners will be used – and reused, however bio bags are on order and within the month they will be lining the recycling bins.
Facilities Management staff will be looking for additional locations which are "high traffic", such as the Vet tower ground floor and the Social Sciences Lecture Block, and would welcome suggestions.
"Further on we will be looking to see if College of Creative Arts students might design a suitable surround for the four bins to lessen their visual impact and to make it more appropriate for the stations to be placed inside buildings," Ms Probert says. "Next year we will review recycling systems inside offices and staff areas."