Single Stream Recycling
Fact: Bowdoin recycles about 35% of its waste.
Goal: To increase Bowdoin's recycling rate to 50%
How can you help us reach that goal?
We have a long way to go to reach the 50% goal, but it is now easier than ever with single stream recycling. Single stream recycling includes paper, paperboard, cardboard, #1-7 plastics, tin cans, tin foil, glass jars, empty aresol cans and aseptic packaging. Some helpful tips to remember include:
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Collect deposit for bottles and cans with the Maine 5 cent refund - if you chose not to recycle them separately, they can be placed in a Single Stream bin. Please remember these containers should be empty before recycling.
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Greasy pizza boxes make a mess, please don't place them in Single Stream recycling.
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Rinse out containers with food in them - i.e. yogurt containers, soup containers, peanut butter containers. If they still contain food in them, please flush in toilet rather than clog up sinks in rest room.
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No tissue, toilet paper or paper towels.
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No plastic bags. Plastic bags get tangled in the oscillating roller that conveys materials through the single stream facility. To recycle plastic bags take them to your local Hannafords or Shaws grocery store, or to the bin just outside the Bowdoin Bookstore.
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When printing long documents for reading or reference, consider printing two pages per 8.5 x 11 sheet. Just click "Properties", then on the "Set Up" tab go to "Layout" and pick "Two pages per sheet". Please, only print items you truly need!
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Bring your own tupperware to Jack Magee's Grill if you plan on getting take out. Ask for your arder a though you were going to eat it at Magee's, then just slide the food from the plate into your tupperware and leave the empty plate at the tray return area. This will help reduce Bowdoin's waste while also saving the Grill money on "to go" packaging. Be aware that the Grill staff can not physically put your food in your tupperware for you due to issues of cleanliness.
Watch a video about Single Stream Reycling made by our own Dan the Can.
Download a printable list of what can be recycled at Bowdoin.
Download a Single Stream Recycling poster.
