Graphic is work of site creator -" Aryes Hall" 2021
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville currently implements recycling through the office of suitability, and public access to its recycling guides, statistics, monetary gain benefits, and dumpster-composting schedules.
The Office of Sustainability (O.O.S) works to achieve recycling by promoting a sustainable and equitable sustainable opportunities on campus. The institution takes a stance as part of the state’s flagship land-grant university and responsibility pledge, to mitigate the social impacts of climate change and reduction of waste. Through student engagement and collaborative programming, the (O.O.S) seeks solve issues related to waste diversion, resource conservation, food justice, and other related causes.
The (O.O.S) implements the recycling portion of the policy( which recycles Aluminum, plastic, cardboard ,E-Waste steel cans, and food waste) in 24 hour disposal bins that are located in every building, and located around campus, for convince, to promote the easy access and larger quantity of use by students and faculty.
The University also implements this through its "Make Orange Green" initiative which pushes for the reduction of plastics by reusable containers in dinning facilities, composting of potential food waste in campus kitchens, recycling locations in all facilities, recycling drop offs, and promotion of participation in disposal of recycling in proper bins via the "waste warrior" online game .
This is also overseen and advertised for improvement via the (O.OS) and its "Student Green Fee" which is a resource for students to submit proposals for improvements to the university's sustainability, waste reduction, and recycling. Which is further given attention by internships offered by the (O.OS) for sustablible practices and leadership.
In regards to plastic waste the university current only accepts the following:
Clean Plastic Containers (Labeled No. 1-7.)
Clean Plastic Bottles
Clean Plastic Cups
Clean Milk Jugs
Clean Plastic Detergent Containers
Plastic Grocery Bags
Plastic Trash Bags
Bubble-wrap
Plastic Film (plastic wrappers, plastic seals, etc.)
In regards to plastic waste the university current does not accept the following at recycling drop offs:
Plastic Bottles
Plastic Cups
Plastic Film with Food Contamination
Packing Tape
According to the University of Tennessee 24/7 public drop off the following is stated:
The Drop-Off opened in 2014 to meet the needs of the UT and Knoxville community
Last fiscal year, UT Recycling diverted more than 3,175 tons of recyclable materials from the landfill, saving energy, landfill space, and preventing the need for new resource extraction. Our Drop-Off was a big part of this effort.
Purpose
At the Public Recycling Drop-Off, you can recycle materials like printer and toner cartridges, batteries, e-waste, plastic film and bags, and scrap metal which are not acceptable through Knox County or City or Knoxville curbside recycling.
The Public Recycling Drop-Off is located less than a mile from the Tennessee River—one of the most plastic-polluted rivers in the entire world according to recent data from the University of Tennessee.
By offering plastic and plastic film and bag recycling at the Drop-Off, UT Recycling is actively working to combat this problem.
The Public Recycling Drop-Off also now has a permanent bin for donations for UT Recycling’s Free Store, a free clothing exchange for UT students.
Local Benefits
Many of the materials from the Public Recycling Drop-Off stay local or at least within the region!
Lots of our recycling goes to WestRock Recycling in Knoxville where the items get processed further and sold as commodities to the highest-paying manufacturers.
Scrap metal goes to PSC Metals in Knoxville
Cardboard often stays in Knoxville and goes to TAMKO to be made into roofing paper;
Paper often goes to Kimberly Clark in Loudoun, TN to be made into tissues, diapers, paper towels, etc.
Aluminum cans often go to Arconic in Alcoa, TN to be made back into cans or other aluminum materials.
Steel cans go to CMC in Knoxville to be made into structural steel.
The current recycling systems are dependent upon local facility ability and management; however, U.T has implemented many initial programs that have been effective in curbing the plastic, and other, waste and moving towards sustablible targets.
