In an effort to bring its values into practice, Macalester College has adopted a goal of Zero Waste by 2020.

What is Zero Waste and how does Macalester College define it?

The ideal Zero Waste community

1. sends nothing to landfills and incinerators and
2. continually strives to reduce the volume of recyclables, compostables, and toxic/hazardous materials.

This ambitious goal acts as a mental framework for guiding the Macalester College’s choices.  The college will continue to reform its infrastructure and behavior in order to reach this goal.

In practice, Macalester, like all institutions, does not have full control over all of the waste generated on campus; some waste will be generated inevitably.  Thus, Macalester adheres to the widely accepted Zero Waste International Alliance standard, which states that Zero Waste Institutions divert 90% of waste from landfills and incinerators.

A Zero Waste Committee oversees the implementation of this policy.   Please contact Austin Werth (awerth@macalester.edu) or Suzanne Savanick Hansen (shansen2@macalester.edu) for more information.
  

Reduce

• Get an Eco-Clamshell
  The Grille offers a reusable takeout container called the Eco-Clamshell. You can buy into this program for a onetime charge of $3. For $5 you also receive a reusable soup container.
  
  
• Use a mug
  The Grille sells a coffee mug for $5 (which includes the first fill free). Use this mug again and receive unlimited refills all day for $1.
  
  
• Ask for dishes
  If you plan on eating your food at The Grille, ask to get your food on dishes instead of in a plastic container.
  
  
• Think outside the bottle
  Disposable water bottles are a major source of waste. Save the earth, and your wallet, by using a reusable water bottle. You can find some cool Macalester water bottles in the Highlander store. Macalester designated February 2011 as Bottled Water Awareness Month in an effort to educate the campus community about the social and environmental implications of the bottled water industry.  This month involved a tap vs. bottled water taste test, a pledge drive, a screening of the documentary Tapped, and a presentation from Bottlemania author Elizabeth Royte.
  
  
• Shop with reusable bags
  Reusable shopping bags are becoming increasingly common. Each time you use yours, that's one fewer plastic bag that is entering the waste stream. Further, many stores now offer discounts to customers who provide their own bags. You even also reuse the paper or plastic bags you have from your last shopping trip!
  
  
• Print smart
  Printing materials is a major source of waste that is often avoidable. Think before you print, do your really need a hard copy or can you read electronically? If you do print, use the Ecosans (where available) to reduce toner usage, and print double sided to reduce paper usage.

Reuse

• Take notes in a Onesie
  The Macalester Library now sells Onesie notebooks for $1. These one of a kind, handmade notebooks are made from paper that has been used on one side.
  
  
• Find it (or give it away) on Mac Free Swap
  Mac Free Swap now has a space in the Kagin Sustainability office where you can drop off and pick up used items.  Mac Free Swap can also be accessed through a link on the college’s community network, 1600 Grand, under the “Campus Resources” tab. (link the free swap article)
  
  
• Sell your used books
  The bookstore partners with MBS Textbook Exchange, the nation's largest textbook wholesaler, to offer you the best prices for your used books. Check out the details.
  
  
• Bicycles are a great item for reuse. To donate these, contact MacBike or Sibley Bike Depot located at 712 University Ave.
  
  
• Art Supplies can be donated to ArtScraps, a non-profit located near campus at 1459 St. Clair Avenue. For more information on donating materials, visit the ArtStart website.
  
  
• Copper Plate and Aluminum Plate can be brought to the Printmaking Studio in the Macalester Art Department

Recycling

Macalester's official recycling program was started on Earth Day 1970 by a group of students. Since that time, our program has evolved to accommodate the changing needs of the Macalester Community. Macalester is committed to waste reduction and diversion as part of a broader commitment to the environment and the global community. We currently have a goal of zero waste by 2020. This recycling guide provides information about our primary recycling program as well as other recycling and waste reduction opportunities on and around campus. If you have any questions, please contact our recycling coordinator, Austin Werth, at awerth@macalester.edu.

Bin Recycling on Campus

Macalester Waste collection uses a three bin system: bottles and cans, paper, and waste. If you are uncertain about what can go in each bin, consult the table below.

Recycling Oddities

There are a variety of non-reusable items that cannot be placed in the Macalester Recycling bins, but which can be responsibly recycled at various locations on and around campus.

Small and Medium Electronics used on campus, such as radios and computer components, can be brought to the E-Waste Recycling bin located in the Sustainability offices, on the first floor of Kagin Commons

Number 5 Plastics cannot be put in the standard plastic recycling bins. However, Whole Foods, located just west of campus on Grand, does have a collection bin for these.

PDAs and Cell Phones can be brought to the bin located in front of the Highlander Store, in the lower level of the campus center

Inkjet Printer Cartridges and Overhead Transparencies are collected by Ann Esson in the Environmental Studies Department Office, Olin-Rice 249. Inkjet cartridges can also be brought to the bin in front of the Highlander Story, in the lower level of the campus center.

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) are a difficult item to dispose of properly. However, due to the chemicals they contain, it is important to make sure your used up bulbs are taken care of safely. If you use a bulb on campus (e.g. in a dorm or office) you can take them to the Sustainability offices, located on the first floor of Kagin. Other CFL's can be taken to Ace Hardware, located just off campus at 1676 Grand Avenue. They collect CFL's for 75 cents (or 50 cents if you buy a new CFL bulb from them). 

Got something else? If you are looking to recycle, reuse, or properly dispose of an item and can't find a way to do it on this page, try Eureka's A-Z Recycling and Safe Disposal Guide or the Ramsey County A-Z Disposal Guide.

Use this map to find the locations described above.

Common Recycling Mistakes and Questions

There is a lot of confusion about recycling. This largely has to do with the fact that there are different rules in different places, and some rules of thumb that don't always apply. What results is contamination, or non-recyclable items finding their way into the recycling bins. This jeopardizes the usefulness of the rest of the recycling, so it is important to get your information straight. Below, we address some of the most common sources of confusion regarding what can and can't be recycled. Keep in mind, this information is true for Macalester's campus, and anyone services by Eureka Recycling in Saint Paul. Rules may vary elsewhere. For more information visit Eureka Recycling's website. 

Paper - Not all Paper Goes in the Recycling

• Paper that has food, grease, or other contamination should not go in the recycling. This includes paper plates, paper towels, and tissues.
• Egg Cartons are made from low grade pulp, and cannot be recycled.
• Paper Cups and 'Freezer Safe' Paper is coated in a waxy material and should not be put in the recycling bins on campus.
• Juice Boxes CAN be recycled, but should go in the 'Bottles and Cans' recycling, not the paper recycling.

Plastic - Only #1s and 2s in bottle form

• Check the Number located inside the recycling symbol on the plastic container. If it doesn't say 1 or 2, it cannot be put in the Bottles and Cans Recycling.
• Is it a Bottle?  Eureka Recycling only accepts plastic bottles, such as soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles and milk jugs (please remove the lid!). Plastic food containers (like those from the Grille) and items like yogurt or margarine containers cannot be put in the 'Bottles and Cans' recycling bins.

Things that sometimes aren't recycled, but should be!

• Envelopes with plastic windows can go in the paper recycling.  Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to cut out the window.
• Spiral Notebooks can go in the paper recycling, metal spiral and all.
• Shredded Paper can go in the paper recycling, just put it inside of a paper bag stapled shut.

In the past, you may have heard that alkaline batteries do not belong in the trash, due to hazardous contents. In recent years the materials that make up these batteries have changed, and they are no longer considered hazardous, so it is safe to put these batteries in the trash. However, consider reducing your battery waste by using rechargables!
    

Move Out

Move out is an important time for waste reduction, as this is when a large amount of items are disposed of. In the final weeks of the school year there are many unique opportunities to reduce waste, as well as some changes to standard waste collection. 

• Habitat for Humanity Donations
  During spring move out Habitat for Humanity and Alternative Spring Break will be collecting donations. These items will be sold at the Fall Garage Sale, and proceeds will be used to fund these important causes. This year (2010) collections boxes will be located in the front lobbies or main lounges of dorms from May 5th to May 15th.

• Cafe Mac Amnesty Boxes
  Have you borrowed any items (utensils, dishes, etc.) from Cafe Mac this year? Rather that destroying the evidence, you can drop these items off in one of the Amnesty Boxes, located in the front lobbies or main lounges of dorm buildings. In the spring of 2010, these will be available from May 5 to May 15th. 

• Free Boxes for Reuse
  Boxes will be available for reuse during move out. These boxes can be found in the basement of the campus center before move out.
  
  
• E-Waste Pickup
  We encourage you to donate any working electronics to the Habitat for Humanity drive. Non-working electronics that you need to dispose of can be brought to the E-Waste pickup. This will take place in the parking lot of the Cultural House. For 2010 move out, pickup will be May 7th and 8th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  
  
• Bin Removal -- Recycling and Trash Dumpsters Available
  Bins are removed from the domrs around move out time.  You are expected to bring your recycling and trash to the dumpsters on Macalester Street (west of Wallace/30Mac/Bigelow). Dumpsters will be designated for paper, bottles and cans, or trash and will follow the same recycling rules as Bin Recycling.