There could easily be 150 tons/year of the paper group; junk mail, copy paper, computer paper, magazines, newspapers and corrugated cardboard, not being collected for recycling at Hamilton College.
More than 78 percent of the Earth's original old growth forests have already been logged or degraded. Logging companies are cutting down some of the most endangered forests on the planet to make paper products such as office paper, phone books and toilet paper. Tropical rainforests are the Earth's oldest living ecosystems and home to 50 - 90 percent of all living species.
According to the National Academy of Sciences, a typical four square mile patch of rainforest contains as many as 1500 species of flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 125 mammals species, 400 species of birds, 100 reptiles, 60 amphibians and 150 different species of butterflies.
Tropical rainforests are invaluable to humans because one fourth of the medicines available today are derived from plants. Seventy percent of the plants identified by the National Cancer Institute as useful in cancer treatment are found in the rainforest. Fewer than 1 percent of tropical forest species have been thoroughly examined for their chemical compounds.
Why is recycling important?
We need to preserve these rainforests and the diversity of plant and animal life they contain. In terms of environmental preservation we can make a difference by holding ourselves accountable for the waste we produce and how we clean it up. Hamilton recycling is based upon the "point of origin" recycling system. Each person will be responsible for recycling their own waste stream.
Recycling coordinator for athletics Nancy Phelan said, "I think recycling is important not only for the obvious environmental reasons (saves energy, reduces pollution) but also for economic reasons such as saving money on waste disposal."
Mary Hoying, recycling coordinator for Communications and Development added, "I'm glad that Hamilton is making a more concerted effort to recycle. We recycle at home and it makes sense to recycle here on the Hill also. If we all pitch in, it will help ensure that the world will still be here for our great, great grandchildren."
Luis Luna, ITS said, "Get into the digital age. It hurts me to see so much paper wasted. We've got to be more conscious about saving trees."
What should you do?
Blue recycling baskets are available for your desk area to collect paper recycling. Contact your building coordinator to receive one and with any questions about what is and isn't recyclable. Deliver recyclables to the centralized recycling locations in your building. Do not contaminate recycling containers with food or drink since this negatively impacts the recycling effort and classifies the container as garbage. Continue recycling efforts in your home and community and educate others about recycling.
Who's your building coordinator?
Sally Carman, KJ
Lynn Mayo, Library
Lisa Mangarelli, Bristol / Beinecke
Bill Pfitsch, Science
Robin Vanderwall, Couper
Gena Hasburgh, CJ
Mary Hoying, C&D
Irene Brogan, Buttrick
Brian Hansen, Spencer
Nancy Phelan, Athletics
What's Recyclable?
1. Is the paper wrapping on copy paper recyclable?
A. YES B. NO
No. The paper that wraps your copy paper is trash, not recyclable; it's waxed!
2. Are drink cups recyclable?
A. YES B. NO
No, container products with a wax coating go into the trash.
3. Should empty label sheets be thrown in the trash?
A. YES B. NO
Yes, label sheets have a wax coating and are not recyclable.
4. Are paper towels recyclable?
A. YES B. NO
No, paper towels that clean up food or are from the rest rooms are considered contaminated and trash.
5. Do we have to remove staples and paper clips before recycling?
A. YES B. NO
No, staples and paper clips don't have to be removed from paper being recycled.
