Green Tips
Welcome to Green Tips at PSC!
Green Tip #1
Starting this semester, every other Thursday you will be receiving a Green Tip promoting PSC’s sustainability efforts. They say the best form of flattery is imitation, and you may notice we are imitating Tech Tip Tuesday. Thanks to Kim Chou for the great idea!
Two Bin recycling
Look for the following new labels on the trash containters. The first label will appear on the recycling containers and the second on the trash containers.
Recycling bin (either gray or green): You can now co-mingle all items that can be recycled: paper, empty containers, cans and plastic bottles (all plastics that #1 and #2), and other recyclable items.
Please note: Items such as paper plates, napkins, Kleenex, etc., with food debris must be placed in the trash container.
Trash bin (brown or yellow): All trash items are to go in the second bin. The stickers on the trash bin serve as a reminder that all trash lives in a landfill for 20 years. Please recycle if possible.
Blue or black bins: Each office should have a desk bin for all recycling. The same recycling rules apply. If you need a bin, send a work order to Physical Plant.
Green Tip #2
Cardboard is recyclable – simply break down the cardboard and place next to the recycling container located in the hallways.
Have a big clean up job? You can order a large, wheeled recycling bin that will be delivered to your office or classroom. Fill it up and request to have it picked up. To order a large recycling container, complete a work order and send to Physical Plant.
Green Tip #3
Good (green) news! After years of only being able to recycle plastic items marked 1 or 2, we can now recycle all plastic items 1-7 with the exception of items marked 6. This includes:
- water bottles
- milk jugs
- juice containers
- pop bottles
- margarine/butter tubs
- yogurt cups
- ketchup bottles
- household cleaners
- coffee creamer containers
- plastic trays, such as trays from frozen meals also can be recycled as long as they are rinsed clean.
Plastic Containers marked 6 are not accepted:
This includes take-out containers, Styrofoam, packing peanuts, CD/DVD covers, etc. No film plastic such as plastic bags, saran wrap, etc. No plastic silverware.
Use Green Tips at home! To see which plastics can be recycled at home, check with your local waste disposal provider.
Please contact the Sustainability Committee using the link below if you would like more information on recycling, reducing, or reusing, or if you would like to become more involved with sustainability efforts at Prairie State College.
Green Tip #4
Skip the Coffee Stirrer!
Each year, Americans throw away 138 billion straws and stirrers. Skipping the stirrer doesn't mean you have to drink your coffee black,
however. Simply put your sugar and cream in first, and then pour in the
coffee. Your coffee should be well mixed.
Check out more ways to help the planet at www.50waystohelp.com.
Green Tip #5
Reusing Paper
Information Technology Resources is recommending to save on the life of our printers, do not use paper that has already been printed on one side. If you do not have another use for it, give it to Associate Professor Mohammad Salami for use in his lab. Send used paper that is blank on one side and does not contain confidential or sensitive information to him at mailbox #135.
You can reuse paper that is blank on one side and does not contain confidential or sensitive information by asking Institutional Support Services to make a scratch pad.
Stay tuned for upcoming events planned for Earth Day, April 22.
Green Tip #6
Recycle Glass
Recycled glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent. If glass isn't recycled, it can take 1 million years to decompose.
At PSC, place empty glass bottles in the recycling bins located throughout campus.
Check out more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle at www.50waystohelp.com.