Myth: “Recycling means more material to collect.” The same amount of waste is generated as with all-disposal system. With recycling, however, the waste is just separated into useful categories that can be reprocessed into usable goods. In our case at UAA, this includes: mixed paper and cardboard, (included hyper-link to the mixed paper list, and for the cardboard, link to how to dispose of the cardboard page)
Myth: “Not recycling is cheaper than recycling.” Recycling should always be compared against disposal, since the material still must be transported off campus. “Not recycling” means paying for disposal, and disposal costs are typically much higher than the national average.
Myth: “Since we have plenty of land for landfills in Alaska, recycling isn’t important.” Recycling has many more benefits than simply reducing landfill use. These include: Conserving non-renewable natural resources (e.g., trees, oil, minerals, etc.) Reducing energy consumption And, reducing the pollution and environmental impacts associated with extracting resources from the earth (e.g., clear-cutting, oil drilling, mining, burning coal to melt steel, etc.) Not many communities want to be the “host” of other people’s trash. The impact of a landfill is greater than simply the space it takes up. As organic matter (anything that was once living) breaks down in a landfill, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By reducing the amount of organic material sent to the landfill, through cardboard and paper recycling, you are helping to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses.
Myth: “Only white paper and cardboard can be recycled.” There is a lot more than just white paper and cardboard that can be recycled here at UAA. See the list under “What We Recycle” and I think you’ll be surprised.
Myth: “Someone else will go through the trash and pull out the recyclables before it goes to the landfill.” This is completely false. Anything thrown into a trash usually ends up in the landfill. The labor required to sort through trash after it has already been mixed would be extremely time intensive and dangerous. Unfortunately, there are no “recycle fairies” who sort through trash to collect the recyclables. The only way the recyclables can be sorted is at the source, which requires the help of students, staff, and faculty members when they choice to put their recyclables in the recycle bin rather than in the trash receptacle. To make things easier for you, please “Request a Bin” for your desk or work area, and follow the instruction under "Recycle 101" on how to properly recycle your mixed paper and cardboard.
Myth: “It’s OK to throw paper and cardboard away because it will create methane gas which could be used for energy.” Organic matter will create methane gas in the landfill, but Alaska currently does not tap this resource. Also, there is already plenty of garbage being produced, which will continue to pile up at the landfill. Do the environmentally responsible thing and recycle your mixed paper and cardboard. Lets ensure a sound and thriving environment for our next generations of Alaskans.
Myth: “The recycle team at UAA is ran by USUAA (student government) and is operated by student volunteers.” As of the new FY-09 school year, we are no longer under the direction of USUAA. Also, the normal recycle team that makes weekly pick-ups are in fact student paid employees. We do occasionally get the help of student, staff, and faculty volunteers, but we will always team them up will a current recycle team member. If you are interested in a job or to volunteer with the recycle program contact us at: recycle@uaa.alaska.edu Additional Question? E-mail us at recycle@uaa.alaska.edu and we'll be happy to answer your question.
(Source: http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/pr_recycling_myths.html)
If you have any additional questions regarding recycling here at UAA please e-mail us at: recycle@uaa.alaska.edu, or give us a call at: 786-4634. Thanks
