This is a question the MTU Sustainability Demonstration House is asking during its The Keweenaw’s First Waste Reduction Drive, this Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Michigan Tech’s Lot 24, on Sharon Avenue in Houghton, near the Gates Tennis Center and Sherman Field.
There are five items that will be collected, to be repurposed:
- Foil-lined granola/energy bar wrappers
- Plastic bottle caps and rings
- Any plastic bag containing a recycling number
- Alkaline batteries
- Egg cartons (Styrofoam)
Although these items can not be recycled curbside, that does not mean they can not be recycled or reused. The Sustainability team has found a unique recycle/reuse opportunity for these five items:
- Foil-lined wrappers will be given to Terra Cycle to be converted into a hard plastic for manufacturing.
- Plastic bottle caps and rings will be sent to Preserve to be converted into kitchenware and toothbrushes.
- Plastic bags will be properly recycled.
- Alkaline batteries will be properly recycled.
- Egg cartons will be given to local chicken farmers for reuse.
“We are excited to see the amount of waste we will be saving from the landfill as a community,” the release states.
“In addition to reducing landfill waste, we are happy to be educating our community on the many recycle/reuse opportunities available for our waste.”
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. COLLECT the following 5 items at your home or office (ensure they are clean):
- Styrofoam and cardboard egg cartons
- Any foil-lined granola/energy bar wrapper
- Plastic bottle caps and rings
- Any plastic bag containing a recycling #
- Batteries
2. BRING your collected items to Fisher Hall on Saturday, June 27
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR WASTE?
- Egg cartons will be given to local farmers for reuse
- Foil-lined granola bar wrappers will be melted into a hard plastic by TerraCycle
- Bottle caps and rings will be converted to kitchenware by Preserve
- Batteries and plastic bags will be properly recycled