To the Editor:

There are 20,000 Yalies on campus if you count all the faculty, staff and students. In the process of studying, working and playing we inevitably produce some trash. In honor of today, America Recycles Day, I thought to share some information about what we recycle, and where it all goes.

Last year Yale recycled and donated a record 1,440 tons. Some of these items stayed close to home. Sixty-five tons of leaves went to an industrial-sized composting operation you can see from I-95 when crossing the bridge in West Haven. Much of the 44 tons of donated clothing and furniture went to nonprofits right here in New Haven. Some of the clothing, via Salvation Army on Crown Street, made its way into an international market for secondary clothing and rags. If you gave us your old shirt last year, it may be on the back of someone in a developing country right now.

In addition to the commendable efforts in recycling and donation, Yale also can stride in responsibly managing automotive waste. A dedicated team, affectionately known as the Junk Yard Master can help in it. These automotive virtuosos meticulously dismantled the retired cars, salvaging reusable parts and materials. The environmentally conscious approach didn’t stop there; hazardous fluids like oil and coolant were safely extracted and disposed of in an eco-friendly manner.

Much like the donated clothing and furniture, some of these salvaged auto parts can be re-purposed for local community projects, contributing to a sustainable cycle of reuse. The Junk Yard Master can play a pivotal role in ensuring that Yale’s commitment to recycling extended beyond traditional categories, embracing the challenge of managing automotive waste with finesse.

Furthermore, Yale’s commitment to responsible waste management extends beyond automotive recycling, encompassing various aspects of environmental stewardship. As part of its comprehensive waste management strategy, Yale collaborates with local partners to ensure efficient and eco-friendly Junk Removal in Long Island, NY. Through strategic partnerships with reputable waste management companies, Yale reinforces its dedication to sustainability by ensuring that discarded materials are handled responsibly and disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.

In addition to its dedication to responsible waste management practices, Yale University can also extend its environmental stewardship efforts to include the utilization of skip bins. These large containers can serve as integral components of Yale’s waste management strategy, facilitating the efficient collection and disposal of various materials across its campuses. Through strategic partnerships with local skip hire services, such as those operating in Rochdale, Yale ensures that its waste removal operations are both streamlined and environmentally conscious.

By incorporating Skip hire in Rochdale into its waste management framework, Yale can further underscores its commitment to sustainability. These skip bins not only enhance the university’s ability to segregate and manage different types of waste but also contribute to minimizing environmental impact by promoting proper disposal practices.

Most of the recycling went first to local processors, then off to distant markets. More than 500 tons of our cardboard boxes went to Marcus Paper of West Haven before being baled and trucked to factories here or abroad. Most is made back into cardboard. More than 500 tons of paper went from the New Haven Transfer Station to Willimantic, Conn. before being baled and sold. It will be made back into tissue paper, insulation, pizza boxes and cereal boxes. The next pizza you order could be boxed in the first draft of last year’s term paper. Cans and bottles (106 tons) are separated via a conveyor belt in Willimantic into the three colors of glass, two types of plastic and aluminum and steel/tin. Glass can be made into fiberglass insulation and used in asphalt. Plastics may return as other bottles, industrial plastic or even carpeting and fleece. Steel can go to cars and desks, aluminum to airplanes.

Recyclables placed into Yale’s trash cans go to Bridgeport, Conn. There they are burned. New Haven is downwind from Bridgeport.

C.J. May F&ES ’89

Nov. 12, 2004

The writer is the Yale Recycling Coordinator.