Sustainability efforts continue on campus with Project Move Out 2015

North Central College has continued to press on with its campus-wide sustainability efforts. After the third year of implementing Project Move Out from the residence halls at the end of the academic year, the College and its student residents helped contribute to the reduction of waste in landfills.  

“Student workers like Beth Weiner ’15 and I placed signs and collection bins in all the residence halls,” says Brittany Graham, sustainability coordinator. “Students just drop their stuff there and then we collect and bring it back (to the sustainability office) or drop off some of the collected items at various centers.”

Each year, Project Move Out has been more successful with increased student participation.

For the 2014-2015 academic year, the College successfully recycled 5,823 square feet of carpet and 1,765 pounds of electronics. Students donated or recycled 302 pounds of food, 346 pounds of unwanted clothing, and furniture items like couches, shelves and futons. The final results from the Kaufman dish return totaled 16 plates, 82 cups, 32 bowls, 28 utensils, two salt shakers and one pepper shake. All were “borrowed” from the dining hall.

“Last year (2014) was the first year we put out recycling dumpsters in addition to the garbage dumpsters,” says Graham. “However, the collection was totally contaminated and we had to haul it to the garbage. This year, there was little contamination and items in the dumpsters were recycled.”

The Office of Sustainability has worked with local companies to ensure the items collected are being recycled properly or donated to facilities that will make use of the students’ items.

“Any food we collect we drop off at Loaves and Fishes in Naperville,” says Graham. “Chicago Textile Recycling picks up the clothes we collect. All those clothes are either donated or recycled, even if they’re in bad shape or just odds and ends of fabric. Electronics go to our normal electronics recycler, New Life Recycling or Vintage Tech Recycling. We used both this year.”

As the College moves into its 2015-2016 academic year, students are encouraged to be aware of the sustainable opportunities available to them on campus. From the student-run sustainability club Green Scene to Earth Day and Project Move Out 2016, there are many ways to contribute to the success of preserving the environment and making a difference.

For more information on sustainability, contact Graham at 630-637-5623.

By Stephanie Snyder ’15