“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot
do everything, but I still
can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
- Helen Keller
Facts (adapted from Worldwatch)
- Most of the wood, metal, plastic, and minerals consumed
in industrial countries is used only once, then discarded.
This wasteful practice contributes to environmental ills from shrinking forests
to changes in climate.
- The Earth's atmosphere is now warming
at the fastest rate in recorded history, a trend that is projected to cause
extensive damage to forests, marine ecosystems, coastal towns and cities,
and agriculture...The scientific evidence is now compelling that recent climate
change is caused at least in part by human activities, especially the burning
of fossil fuels, which has driven atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations
to their highest levels in 420,000 years.
Our mission is to make recycling part of everybody's daily life. We want the students and staff at Oberlin to be conscious of the resources we use and the waste we create. It is both economically and environmentally beneficial for members of the Oberlin community to reduce waste and conserve resources. By providing a user friendly recycling program and making resources available we hope that recycling becomes a part of your daily life.
Did you know that
- The average American individual consumes 120
pounds of natural resources every day, and
- throws away 3 and 1/2 pounds of trash
per day.
- A student staying in Oberlin for four years will have left about
5,000 pounds of trash.
Reducing consumption, reusing
what can't be reduced, and recycling what
can't be reused may go against the norms of a consumer society, but it can fit
right in with the life of an Oberlin resident.
The Recycling Program
Click here
for the history of our recycling program.
Our recycling system requires only a minimum amount of separating, which is explained on our on campus page. Part of our job as recycling assistants is to make sure that recycling bins are in places where people can easily find and use them. Please contact us with any suggestions you might have about how recycling receptacles could be more appropriately placed or marked. Questions about recycling and source reduction are also welcome.
If you have any questions about the Recycling Program or comments
about our web pages, email us at: recycle@oberlin.edu
This page was last updated January 2001
