Recycling cans, paper is law for off-campus students, too

Wharton senior Mike Fernandez said he throws his trash in the dumpster. He said he wants to recycle, but doesn't know where he can do it. Fernandez, like many off-campus residents, is not aware of the curbside recycling program available in West Philadelphia. Angie Coghlan, coordinator for the Spruce Hill and Cedar Park Areas Plastics Recycling program, said the beginning of the school year is the best time to educate and inform off-campus residents as well as the University community about the recycling program. "It's like reinventing the wheel," she said. "With groups of students leaving and entering the area, it is necessary to keep going back over the same information and procedures con cerning recycling." On campus, dormitories have recycling containers for aluminum cans and all paper products. Easily accessible in each dorm is a red dumpster for aluminum cans and a yellow dumpster for paper products. Off-campus residents can use these facilities as well. Nick Sanders, coordinator of the Spruce Hill Recycling program, which services students living off campus, said about thirty corners from 40th to 51st Streets are drop sites for recycling. "Our curbside pickup program is a successful one," Sanders said. "We are an outlet for a growing concern in the community, and consequently, the student turnover is always big." Sanders added that the Spruce Hill program has been cited as one of the most economically efficient programs in the city because of the large number of participants and high volume of recyclable materials received. "We continually bring in more materials than other parts of the city," he said. Sanders said corner pickup takes place the first and third Saturday of each month. All materials in Spruce Hill area should be out on the corners by 11 a.m. and in Cedar Park by 10 a.m. If items are left in advance of these times, they may be removed by trash pickup. "By participating in our program, we are able to supply manufacturers with recycled products. That's the first step," Sanders said. "However, [consumers] must take the second step -- demanding recycled products and then creating a market for them." Acceptable items for the corner pickups are: aluminum cans, newspaper, office paper, computer paper, and glass, but clear glass, green and brown bottles and jars only -- no ceramics, drinking glasses or lightbulbs. Like materials should be separated, then appropriately bagged, tied, or boxed. Although plastics can be recycled too, they are not collected at the general recycling corners. Coghlan said recyclable plastics may be left at the Firehouse Farmers' Market at 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue or at the Northwest Corner of 40th and Locust Streets. Plastic items can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at either station on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Recyclable plastics include water and milk jugs, soda and seltzer bottles, and laundry product bottles. Sanders said the proceeds from Spruce Hill Recycling go to local recycling, environmental and community groups. In the past, the groups have included Clean Air Council, Philadelphians for Recycling, University City Arts League, and the police mini-station at 44th and Walnut streets. Coghlan said her plastics recycling program uses its funds to support local students in continuing higher education. Both programs are organizations run solely by volunteers. Despite the extent of recycling capabilities, some materials cannot be accepted for recycling. Magazines, glossy ads, cardboards, telephone books, mixed paper, folders and envelopes, frosted or painted bottles, plate glass, car windows, and metal cans should not be left at the corners for pickup. These corners include: 40th and 44th and Walnut Streets, 42nd and 46th and Locust Streets, 45th and Spruce Street, 43rd and 45th and Osage Avenue, 42nd Street and Baltimore Avenue, and 44th Street between Baltimore and Larchwood Avenues. For more information or to volunteer, call 726-8126 or 662-5636 for corner recycling and 729-6273 for plastics recycling.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.