UMES Recycling Program
Resource Conservation through Recycling
Recycling reduces the demand on our natural resources, saves valuable landfill space, and creates opportunities for new industries.
UMES participates in the The All StAR (All State Agencies Recycle) program as required by the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA), which mandates that State government achieve a waste reduction goal of at least 20%, or to an amount that is determined “practical and economically feasible”, but in no case less than 10%.
The UMES Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) office coordinates the recycling program as part of the campus’ waste management practices. Collection of recyclables throughout the campus is accomplished by the combined efforts of the Physical Plant workcenters.
EHS can provide recycling containers for mixed paper, plastic bottles, and metal cans; requests must be submitted via e-mail to dkmaloney@umes.edu.
What Can I Recycle on Campus?
| Cardboard | Flatten corrugated cardboard boxes and collect in an area accessible to Physical Plant staff. Notify EHS so that pickup can be arranged. |
| Electronics | University-owned computers and other electronics that are powered by battery or AC can be recycled. CPUs, monitors, printers, typewriters and other electronics are collected; special arrangements are required. Contact EHS to make arrangements for pick up. |
| Metals | Metal food and beverage containers (aluminum cans/scrap, bi-metal, and tin cans) can be collected. Other metals than can be recycled include scrap metal, aluminum blinds, road signs, foil, brass and copper, cast metal, license plates, household appliances, and any other metals deemed acceptable by EHS. Special arrangements for pick-up must be made by contacting EHS.Note: Metal cans are collected only from designated containers provided by the Physical Plant. |
| Mixed Paper | We recycle paper of any color and type (office paper, copy paper, magazines, file folders, junk mail, etc.).Newspaper, textbooks, and telephone books can also be recycled and must be collected separately from mixed paper.You cannot recycle used paper towels, napkins and tissues; paper bowls, plates, cups; wax-coated paper/envelopes, coffee filters, and candy wrappers.Note: Paper is collected only from designated containers provided by the Physical Plant. |
| Plastic Bottles | We recycle plastic bottles that are designated #1 or #2; these numbers are usually found at the bottom of the container. This includes plastic soda and water bottles, detergent containers, salad dressing bottles, cooking oil bottles, milk jugs, etc.You cannot recycle bottle caps, bottles with cigarette butts or spittoons, unusable plastic bags, tableware, and plastic notebook binders.Note: Plastic Bottles are collected only from designated containers provided by the Physical Plant. |
| Other Items | Laser toner cartridges are recycled by the Central Receiving office in the Physical Plant. Tires and certain batteries are recycled by the Motor Pool at the Physical Plant.Contact EHS about fluorescent lights and any other items that you are interested in recycling. |
Campus Involvement Opportunities
Participate in the Recycling Program by recycling, volunteering, and sharing ideas!
Recycling Committee
The Recycling Committee consists of staff from the Physical Plant (EHS, Housekeeping, Grounds, Central Heating Plant), Residence Life, and Dining Services. The committee focuses on environmental stewardship through recycling. They encourage the continued development of an integrated recycling program that will hopefully inspire the University community to adopt practices which will foster long-term environmental stewardship and sustainability.
