All recyclables from Oberlin College (the dining halls as well as all other buildings) are sent to the Lorain County Resource Recovery Complex which is actually just down Oberlin-Elyria road, past the Jones Farm (Oberlin Sustainable Agricultre Project), in Oberlin.
Oberlin College chose a while back to introduce the 'blue bag' system for recyclables. With this system, all recyclables are mixed together, and placed in the same blue bags. The waste management company then takes care of sorting. This system has led to increased cost for the college, and is right now (as of March 2004) being re-thought since our recyclables are a potential source of economic income.
Currently, only #1 and #2 plastics are taken by the recycling center. Fortunately, a number of the products used by the dining halls are packaged in #1 and #2 plastics. Unfortunately, there are exceptions. Cardboard from the dining halls is recycled. Waxy cardboard cannot be recycled and must not be mixed with the plain cardboard. Additionally, the cardboard must be kept dry so that it remains recyclable.