Office of Energy and Sustainability
Zero Waste
Oberlin College and Conservatory is committed to reaching zero waste on campus through a series of waste reduction, recycling, composting, donation, and reuse programs. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., accounting for approximately 16 percent of these emissions in 2016. Methane gas is released as wastes decompose, and is one of several non-CO2 gases that contribute to global climate change.
Where does our recycling go?
Oberlin College and Conservatory works with the City of Oberlin, Republic Services, and Repeat Glass to recycle mixed paper, cardboard, mixed metals, glass, and certain plastics. Everything but the glass collected on campus goes to the Republic materials recovery facility for sorting. Republic has a network of facilities in the US to send recovered materials to. Cardboard and mixed paper bales go to a mill in Indiana. Aluminum cans are sent to a recovery facility in New Jersey. Mixed plastics go to Indiana and bimetal (tin cans) are recycled locally in Ohio.
Learn more about our recycling program
Where does our compost go?
Oberlin College and Conservatory works with Barnes Nursery, located in Huron, Ohio, to compost campus food, compostable serviceware, and other compostable items. Their industrial composting facility breaks down a wide range of organic materials into a nutrient-rich mixture, which is bought back and used on Oberlin College campus’s grounds as a soil amendment.