Michigan State University Surplus Store & Recycling Presentation for: MSU Dept. of Epidemiology Recycling Seminar November 29, 2018 4 piece set plus standard trash can
Dave Smith Recycling Coordinator MSU Surplus Store & Recycling smithd86@msu.edu 884-0941
Recycling Coordinator, July 2012 Material Collection Operations and Staff Material Recovery Facility Special Event Recycling/Waste Management Prior to MSU Environmental Specialist City of East Lansing 15 Years Serve on Michigan Recycling Coalition BOD Chair of Recycle, Mi Committee Promotes recycling at the State level Outdoor enthusiast
Overview The Surplus Store & Recycling Center Who We Are & What We do Mission & Vision Rethinking Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Highest & Best Use Philosophy The Recycling Process Recycling streams Sorting Where materials go
Overview The Importance of Recycling Why do we do it? Why is it important to reduce waste? How do we Recycle? What items are recyclable Which ones are not Why is it important to recycle correctly? Your Questions
MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center Responsible for the end use of nearly all material purchased by or donated to the University! More than just Recycling! Surplus Store Books Bicycles Recycling Organics Waste
Mission To manage MSU s waste as a resource through an integrated system of reuse, recycling, collaboration and education.
Vision To lead MSU toward a culture of zero waste, where all programming is funded through revenue from waste diversion.
MSU Surplus Store
Surplus Store Last year, reused and processed more than 1.8 million items (2.3 million lbs.) for resale and returned nearly $3 million to university departments. Computers Office Furniture Farm Equipment Athletic Equipment And much, much more!
MSU Books Collect unwanted books from MSU libraries, staff, students and public. Drop off box at Recycling Site Process approx. 10,000 lbs of books per week About 6,500 lbs are sellable On-line listing at MSU site plus on Amazon.com Sold in-store Unsellable books Donated to local charities De-binding process Recycle the paper, bindings and covers
MSU Bicycles Full service bike shop Offer: New & Used bike sale Rental bikes Repair and maintenance Sell parts and accessories Offer classes & education DIY repair station (Bessey Hall Location)
MSU Waste Collect waste from campus and landfill it at Granger Landfill Landfilled 12.6 million lbs. in 2017 Overall diversion rate of 55% (Surplus, Compost, & Recycling)
MSU Organics Composting Food waste, paper products and farm waste is composted on campus Pre-consumer fruit and vegetable scraps Vermicomposted at the Student Organic Farm Farm waste, including manure & bedding Composted by hot compost process on campus Sold through MSU Surplus Store Pre and some post consumer food waste Processed at anaerobic digester
MSU Recycling Provide recycling service to: Residence halls Faculty & staff (on and off campus) University Apartments Campus events Sporting events, conferences, charity events (5k run) Public Community events Folk Festival, RecycleRama, etc. On-campus food waste composting
MSU Recycling Public Drop-Off Recycling Center Open 24/7, located at 468 Green Way Accept Newspaper Mixed Paper Boxboard #1- #7 Plastic (plastic bags) Milk Jugs Metal Newspaper Glass (brown, clear & green bottles) Corrugated cardboard Books
Public Recycling Drop-off Center Faculty, staff and students, both on-and-off-campus, use the public drop-off. The center is also open for community use.
Recycling Data In 2017 collected about 9.5 million lbs. Generated $300,000 in revenue Nearly 3 million from public drop off Cardboard 2.8 million lbs Glass 810,000 lbs Metal 1.8 million lbs Paper 2.7 million lbs Plastic 858,000 lbs Other 500,000 lbs
Highest & Best Use Philosophy Def: Use of a product or process that produces the highest value (not necessarily $$ value). Evaluate materials and processes and ask: How can we minimize waste? Reduce size of trash containers and increase recycling opportunities Can it be reused or repurposed? Items of value sold, profits returned to Departments or used to support our operations Can it be donated or shared? Items that aren t sold, but have value are given away or donated. Saves about $100,000 in disposal fees annually. Can it be recycled or composted? Find new life in another form by composting or recycling If no, then disposal. Waste-to-energy Traditional landfilling the last resort
The Recycling Process All materials are collected, weighed, processed, baled, & shipped for sale
The Recycling Process Materials collected from MSU facilities Source separated: Most materials from Recycling Center Except plastics #1-#7 Co-mingled: Mixed paper/boxboard bins Plastic/Metal bins Single-stream: Event recycling
Recycling Process Tipped on the floor Lifted onto conveyor to sort line
Recycling Process Materials are sorted by hand student employees
Recycling process Sorted into bunkers and pushed onto Bailer conveyor
Recycling Process Material is baled, weighed again and readied for shipment to vendors.
Where Recyclables Go #3 - #7 Plastics Green For Life Recycling, Detroit, MI #1 & #2 Plastics Tabb Packaging Solutions, Plymouth, Mi Made into post consumer resin for plastic bottles Electronics URT, Janesville, Wisconsin Glass Strategic Materials, Chicago Made into fiberglass insulation, food/beverage containers, reflective materials and other products. Paper & Newspaper Green For Life Recycling, Detroit, MI Made into various paper products such as egg cartons, building insulation, construction paper. Cardboard White Pigeon Paper Company, White Pigeion, MI Made into 100% recycled content paperboard packaging Metals Friedland Industries, Lansing, MI Expanded Polystyrene Dart Container, Mason, MI
The Importance of Recycling Why do we do it? In 1988, students petitioned MSU Board to implement a paper recycling program 2008, MSU establishes goal to reduce landfill waste by 30% by 2015 SSRC short-term goal of 70% waste diversion SSRC long-term goal of Zero waste or 90%+
The Importance of Recycling Why do we do it? If we raised the state average of 15% recycling rate to 30% we would: Increase jobs Create about 10,000 jobs Create around $225 million in income Increase sales and income in manufacturing sector By around $3 billion Expand Michigan s tax base By around $17 billion Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Provide broad environmental benefits Public Sector Consultants 2009 report: Expanding Recycling in Michigan
The Importance of Recycling Why is it important to reduce waste? We pay about $12 per compacted cubic yard to dispose of refuse $180,000 annually Studies show that 2/3 of what MSU disposes is reusable, recyclable or compostable
The Importance of Recycling
At-desk recycling How do we Recycle? Free containers from SSRC. Surplus.msu.edu
Public Space Recycling Located in all buildings on campus Fee Hall has over 40 stations How do we Recycle?
What items are Recyclable? Mixed Paper Magazines & catalogs Junk mail & envelopes Cards Boxboard Newspaper Clean paper cups/plates Do Not recycle Laminated paper Wax paper
What items are recyclable? Office Paper Computer paper Letterhead Notebook paper Copy paper (all colors) Index cards Do Not Recycle Laminated paper
What items are Recyclable? Plastic All #1 through #7 plastics Water/pop bottles Milk jugs Grocery bags Bottle caps Do Not Recycle Foam products Rubber
What items are Recyclable? Glass (available in limited locations) All colors of bottles and jars Do Not Recycle Pyrex Window glass Mirrors Lab glass
Why is it Important to Recycle Correctly? Contamination reduces the value of recyclables Unsanitary for workers at recycling facilities Decreases the quality of products made from recycled materials In general, recyclables should be Clean Dry Free of residues (i.e. food waste)
Thank you! Dave Smith smithd86@msu.edu 517 884-0941