Recycling Aluminum Cans for a More Sustainable Campus

AUC kicked off Campus Sustainability month in hopes of raising awareness about can recycling to reduce the university’s carbon footprint

The Office of Sustainability earlier this month joined forces with Ball Beverage Packaging, a provider of metal packaging for beverages, foods and household products, to introduce the Can Project to students.

Three aluminum can bins were placed at the Americana Food Court, across from Quick, and in Bartlett Plaza near the Bus Terminal as part of sustainability initiatives launched by Ball International.

Aluminum cans are 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled an infinite number of times with no loss of quality; nearly 75 percent of all aluminum produced is still used today.

The project has engaged a number of students since it kicked off on October 10, aiming for a greener, eco-friendlier sustainable campus.

The bins also carry public service announcements.

One bin says, “If you recycle a metal can, it only takes eight weeks for that can to be back on the shelf.”

Presidential Intern for the Office of Sustainability Brandon Rothrock told The Caravan that the bins have largely received metal cans, together with a few plastic containers.

“Finding plastic in the bins is still good because it will then be sorted out by our sorting station anyway. There has also been a little bit of trash, but not enough that would make it too much,” added Rothrock.

During assembly hour on October 24 and 31, students can talk to a sustainability representative at one of the bins and receive a free soda when they use the bins to recycle cans.

“I was delighted to see the bins out on campus. This gives me hope in not only people learning about the necessity of recycling, but also them aiding in sustaining our campus through their utilization of the bins,” said Marketing junior Ahmed Attia.

As part of their initiative, the Office of Sustainability is also launching a reusable water bottle giveaway to promote the filling stations on campus.

“Right now, we have ten water bottle filling stations, and we will be adding more shortly. Starting next week, on October 22, and 29, during assembly hour out in Bartlett Plaza, we will be setting up a booth giving out reusable water bottles,” said Rothrock.

“Students will also be asked questions about sustainability in terms of water, plastic packaging, and other matters of the sort,” added Rothrock.

He also said that in attempt to push for sustainability initiatives on campus, a solar charging bench will be set up across from Quick, offering a slot for charging an iPhone over 1000 times a year. Other gadgets like laptops can also be charged using that terminal.

AUC works on a multiannual basis to put out a carbon footprint report, making it the only institution in the Middle East and North Africa region which conducts such research.

The next report comes out in April 2019.