Foam Recycling Bill Passes at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University has just became another college campus to support foam recycling, as legislation to install foam recycling containers for laundry rooms in residence halls has passed. The bill passed in both the House and Senate for Central’s Student Government Association during their November 23 meeting. In an effort to achieve a more environmentally friendly campus, the Sustainability Committee helped endorse the bill.

“I think it would be very good for the residence halls to have another recycle bin, especially for Styrofoam or to increase CMU’s recycling capabilities,” said Sustainability Committee Chairperson Drake Smarch. “Through this legislation, we could keep unnecessary Styrofoam out of landfills and out of the environment.” - CM Life

Next steps for the bill are now up to administration, where they will decide if implementation is economically feasible.  Many students feel that if a foam recycling bin was put into place, more students would choose recycling.

According to Boyne City sophomore Liz O’Donnell, she believes that the specific foam bins would encourage students to think twice before throwing out their trash. - CM Life

Many schools today are participating in school recycling programs. In the cafeteria or around campus, colleges can set up recycling stations where students and staff can easily deposit their foam foodservice products. Michigan based Dart Container Corporation, a leading manufacturer of polystyrene foodservice products, has many recycling programs that colleges can participate in. Two programs from Dart that your school can be involved include the CARE (Cups Are REcyclable) and Recycla-Pak programs.

For a successful foam #6 recycling program, it is essential to educate students and faculty members about the benefits and rewards of recycling, and how the program works. Schools can easily incorporate classroom lessons related to environmental impact and responsibility.

“Recycling bill passed in SGA House and Senate” (2015). Central Michigan Life. 29 November, 2015. Web. 29 November, 2015.