History and Current Program

Recycling at North Carolina State University began in the mid 70’s with the construction of the Physical Plant Reclamation Center and Belt Recycling System.  At the time, dumpsters were picked up from offices and administrative buildings, were dumped on a conveyor belt and then the recyclables were pulled out and sorted by hand.  At the time, recyclables were paper, cardboard, glass and aluminum products; the collected recyclables were then bailed and sold.  In 1988, due to high cost and low efficiency, the Belt Recycling System on campus was abandoned.

In the late 1980’s after experimenting with a pilot program at E.S. King Village, a curbside recycling program was launched to include some central outside recycling sites picked up on a bi-weekly basis.  Cardboard was handled by the Housekeeping department and collected daily from beside the trash dumpster.
In January 1990, a Pilot Program was launched in the residence hall areas to include indoor recycling collection bins.  The bins were placed in centralized locations around the dormitories, and by 1995, the remaining dormitories and some academic buildings were added to the service.

As more of the campus community participated, the choice to expand the waste reduction and recycling effort further was necessary.   With the convenience of additional markets becoming available, and with the unwavering support of the students, staff and faculty, the effort began to expand into what it is today.
In the mid 1990’s, Waste Reduction and Recycling serviced 69 buildings and 17 central sites on a bi-weekly basis, 16 outdoor recycling convenience sites, and 43 cardboard dumpsters.

Our current program services 179 outdoor recycling sites, 427 indoor recycling sites, 106 cardboard dumpsters, 7 yard waste dumpsters and 19 autoclave dumpsters, - totaling 25 different types of material streams recycled.  In fiscal year ‘07/’08 there was 1,960 tons (3,920,000 pounds) of material recycled and 777 tons of yard waste saved from landfills; diverting 40.5% of the waste stream from landfills through recycling, composting and reuse.