WMU gets new plastic and battery recycling programs on campus

By Carly Kuppe
Western Herald

Western Michigan University has two new recycling programs on campus, including places to recycle batteries and plastic bags.

The university is now accepting rechargeable batteries from anyone including students, faculty and staff.

The program is free to the university.

“WMU has been recycling all batteries for many years,” said Carolyn Noack, Recycling & Waste Reduction manager in an e-mail.

“Batteries contain heavy metals that can damage the groundwater if they end up in the landfill,” Noack wrote.

“Rechargeable batteries have been recyclable for a long time, but it has been limited to households or has been very expensive.”

“This change allows us to accept batteries from off-campus,” Noack said.

The two drop-off locations are Physical Plant Room 210, and the Roe-Comm store in Bronco Mall.

WMU is also recycling plastic bags on campus, another free program to the university.

The plastic bags can be grocery bags, bread bags, plastic wrap, etc., and they must be empty and clean, according to Noack.

“For plastic bags, this is a relatively new program,” Noack said.

“We recently found someone that could take the variety of bags we generate such as grocery bags, water softener salt bags, and packaging bags.”

The drop-off locations for bags are outside Textbook Alley (the WMU bookstore), and Physical Plant Room 210.

“I’m always looking for ways to add new materials and expand the program,” Noack said.

“Both of these programs are free to the university, which is another bonus.”

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=12185

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Nov 18 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com