How the Recycling Is Done

      with a brief history of the program

	The key to success in the W·E·C·A·R·E recycling program is our community. Students, faculty, staff, and guests decide whether or not to recycle. Recycling benefits everyone in our community with a cleaner environment, a more attractive campus, an economic advantage for the university, and a brighter future for all.
	The community uses recycling containers to dispose of emptied aluminum cans, office paper, newspaper and magazines.  These recycling containers are conveniently located in recycling centers throughout the various buildings on campus.  There are 3 cardboard recycling dumpsters on camps.  They are located behind Dinkins Student Union, behind McBryde Hall, and behind Thomson Cafeteria.
	Office occupants using the blue, 14 quart recycling containers empty them into the appropriate recycling containers located in the recycling centers.
	A team from the Set-up Department removes recycling from the building recycling centers and take the recyclables to a central campus staging areas.  The custodial crew is responsible for the pick up of aluminum cans.
	Special pick ups are made of shredded paper and large quantities of recyclables. These pick ups may arranged through the Facilities Management Work Request web page.
	Every week, the City of Rock Hill arrives on campus to pick up the recyclables from the staging areas.  They also empty the cardboard dumpsters on a weekly basis.  Therefore it is imperative not to park in front of the cardboard dumpsters or any trash receptacle.
	By keeping recyclables out of the trash, we reduce the cost of waste removal, decrease the rate at which our community landfills are filling up, and clean up air, earth, and water by reducing the added pollution that results from refinement of virgin materials. Recycling makes a difference!

 

	In 1991, Winthrop University officials realized the enormous recycling potential that the Winthrop community could generate.  A committee from all constituencies of the University, including students, studied the problem, and came up with concrete suggestions on how to begin a waste management program.  After discussing transportation, storage, and disposal problems, the committee pushed primarily for the recycling of office paper and aluminum cans.  A pilot test was conducted in 4 buildings.
	In 1993, Winthrop University was awarded a South Carolina College and University Grant, which funded brochures, posters, and magnets.  These were created to encourage all the Winthrop community to recycle.  The brochure explains Winthrop University's recycling system and has the proper methods for separation and disposal.  Winthrop encouraged people not to equate reduction with just recycling.  Waste reduction was encouraged to become a state of mind.  Offices were encouraged to make note pads of waste paper, print on both sides of the paper, route magazines and newspapers, recycle laser printer cartridges, and use E-mail more frequently.  Students were asked to participate and volunteer, while encouraging others to recycle as well.
	After analyzing the success of the program, Winthrop University expanded its recycling program to include the entire campus.  Currently there are over 156 recycling bins in over 30 buildings.  At that time, the program was expanded to include magazines, cardboard, and newspaper.
	Winthrop received the second place South Carolina Clean and Beautiful State Award in 1996.  This award was given by Keep America beautiful of South Carolina.
	In 1997, Winthrop University was awarded a $3,500 grant from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.  This grant was used to obtain 120 28-gallon sturdy containers.  These were used to upgrade the recycling containers in the centers.
	In 1998, Winthrop University was awarded a $15,000 grant from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.  This grant was used to aid in the purchasing of a truck used for the recycling program and 600 14-quart recycling bins.  The new truck allowed for more frequent emptying of recyclables.  In addition, the small bins were distributed to faculty and staff so that recyclables would be easier to collect and empty in the recycling centers.
	In 1999, Winthrop University garnered the Best Collegiate Recycling Program in the state.  The award was sponsored by the Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling at South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Keep America Beautiful of South Carolina.
	The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control awarded Winthrop in 1999 with a $10,000 recycling grant.  This grant was used to purchase a chipper/shredder.  This piece of equipment is essential in closing the gap and returning nature's waste to the ground as mulch-type material.
	In 2000, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control awarded a recycling grant of $9,723 to Winthrop University. These funds were used to purchase containers used in the collection and disposal of recyclables, an eight yard dumpster for shredded paper, a concrete slab for the container and recycling fees for 160 old computer monitors. Funds were also used to upgrade posters and brochures.
	In 2001 the University was awarded still another recycling grant of $9,406. We are using these funds mainly to purchase an "Earth Tub". This piece of equipment will allow Winthrop University to start a composting operation at the Winthrop Farm area. We are presently making arrangements with Winthrop Faculty to include students in this operation as a learning tool for the Biology Department.
	The result of Winthrop University's W·E·C·A·R·E Recycling Program has been outstanding.   Winthrop University, a community with over 5,000 students and 1,000 employees, was the perfect place to begin a recycling program.  Considering the amount of waste Winthrop produced in 1991 the need and responsibility was certainly there to begin and maintain a recycling program.  Winthrop University has accepted that challenge and in return challenges any other school, company, or individual to begin saving the world.