11/01/2024
Have you ever looked at an item and wondered if its only destination is the landfill? There must be some place that can recycle something like a toothbrush or deodorant packaging, right?
SUNY Cortland now has a program to help keep more waste out of the landfill, thanks to TerraCycle, a private company that sells raw material made from hard-to-recycle items to product producers .
TerraCycle’s core purpose is to combat the global waste crisis, which is different from your local curbside recycling service. TerraCycle recycles the unrecyclable, those items not commonly accepted by local curbside programs.
The Sustainability Office is excited to host TerraCycle collection programs, said Megan Swing, SUNY Cortland's energy and sustainability engagement coordinator.
"We are on a waitlist for a few of their programs, so keep an eye out for information about toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant containers, Brita filters and more programs coming soon," Swing said. "Currently we are enrolled in the razor recycling program."
The program will work through collection bins all over campus in each of the residence halls. The bins aren’t there yet but will be soon!
All students need to do is put any of the accepted items in a bin and the Sustainability Office will take care of the rest. There will be a special and separate collection bin for razors to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
The different items will be collected until there are enough to ship to TerraCycle, which works with brands and retailers to fund the process.
What makes something locally recyclable depends on whether a local recycling company can make a profit turning it into something new that can be used. If the cost of collecting and processing the waste is lower than the value of the resulting raw material, it will likely be locally recyclable. If the costs are higher, then it likely won’t be.
The TerraCycle program differs due to its partnerships with brands to fund the recycling process.
Employees and students who live off campus participate by emailing Swing to inquire about getting involved in the program. The Sustainability Office's goal is to expand the program to other departments and areas around campus.
For more information about what the Sustainability Office is currently collecting, check out the Recycling page on the Sustainability Office’s website.