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Recycling - Physical Plant Paper Recycling

The Physical Plant's paper recycling program is dependent upon the participation of University staff (faculty, full- and part-time staff members and student employees). We ask that each staff member separate all listed acceptable white paper from your wastestream as you dispose of material. Your workstation or desk should have a "saddlebag", on or near your trashcan. Please deposit acceptable white paper into your "saddlebag" uncrumpled (to save space).

When full, we ask that you assume the responsibility of emptying your "saddlebag" into one of the larger "relaystation" located in the hallway on your floor. Custodial staff will empty these receptacles as part of their normal work schedule, but they will not empty your "saddlebag"

Your participation is critical to the success of the paper recycling program!

If you or your office area as a whole, through spring cleaning or other task, will be generating a large amount of recyclable paper, we ask that you box it separately, mark it Recycle Paper, and place it next to the hallway receptacle. If there will be more than one box of materials, please call the Action Desk at x7154 to request a pick-up at your office.

Campus Recycling Committee

If you would like to become more actively involved in the University's recycling program you can attend Campus Recycling Committee meetings. This group offers advice and assistance to the Physical Plant with its recycling efforts. The Committee plans events and programs to educate the University community about recycling. They also volunteer their time and labor to assist the Physical Plant in a variety of ways. The committee currently meets every other Monday. To find out the time and place of the next meeting please contact Adrian Self at 744-7162 or via email.

Recycling At the Library Annex

Recycled materials such as paper, aluminum cans, and wooden pallets are bound and recycled through this facility. Operated by students, the Recycling Facility processes most of OSU's recyclable materials.


Physical Plant Recycling Facilities Photos


The bale is gently set into position. Workers will bundle nearly 30 bales of shredded paper before selling them. Travis drives the fork truck over to pick the bale up. Ready for stacking. A pallet is placed in front of the baler, and the bale is dumped onto it. Each bale weighs up to 1500lbs. Over 100 bags of shredded paper go into each bale. Workers will bind dozens of bags of cans into one bundle. These pallets are either reused or sold, although a limited number are saved for the Bedlam Bonfire. OSU saves scores of wooden pallets. Occasionally, non-recyclable materials will get into the mix. This makes it more difficult to sell! Then, pressure is released from the bale. They tie off the last wires. One mechanical binder handles the job. You can easily see all the non-recyclable materials mixed in. Closeup of pile. Shredded paper arrives at the facility in large garbage bags. Travis Houser (orange hat), Mechanical Engineering Technolgy Sophomore, heads toward the controls as Charley Courtney, Journalism and Broadcasting Senior closes the binder's door. Charley loads the binder. ...and ties off each wire. Travis inserts the binding wire... ...and each layer is compressed. The binder is filled... Student-operated recycling facility, at Library Annex. 
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