Compost, Recycling & Waste

Waste Audits

Each year, Loyalist Sustainability conducts a waste audit to determine how we are performing in our efforts to recycle and prevent material from heading to the landfill.

One of the key metrics is Diversion Rate which is the amount of waste (by weight) that is being diverted from landfill through recycling and composting efforts.

In 2017, Loyalist had a 37% diversion rate and we took efforts to increase our recycling awareness and, in particular, to encourage composting in offices and at locations in the College where food is consumed.

In 2018, the audit showed that we had a diversion rate of 55% which is a significant increase in the amount of material diverted from landfill.

Organics continue to be the most predominant item by weight in our waste which gives us the opportunity to improve our diversion rates further by composting more of our organics throughout the College.

For more details, contact sustainability@loyalistcollege.com.

Composting

The future of Loyalist College waste will incorporate organics into all waste bins. These bins can currently be found on the third floor and cafeterias.

Ontario plans to ban all food waste disposal in the trash; it will soon be compulsory to compost.

Some uses of compost include generating electricity and producing fertilizers.

Paper towels and tissue paper can be composted at Loyalist. As well, many of the containers in the Dining Hall are now biodegradable; please place them in the compost bins.

Loyalist now offers five composting receptacles in the Dining Hall with new step-by-step signage.

In Residence, small compost bins have been provided for each apartment to be used with compost bin liners that can be disposed of in the large green totes near the dumpsters. 

Recycling

Use clear bags, not black bags, so that we can confirm that the contents is recycling.

Food containers, including pizza boxes, need to be empty, not contain any leftover food, and be a manageable size.

If the recycling materials are contaminated (i.e. food residue), then the entire recycling bin is considered waste and will be sent to landfill. Please empty all liquids and rinse containers before recycling items; liquids and food contaminate the recycling and work against our recycling efforts.

Some recycling practices vary between different communities and countries (e.g. styrofoam and bubble wrap), so be sure to pay attention to local recycling signs.

Difficult-to-recycle items

Student Government has made it easy to recycle difficult items such as old highlighters, pens, ink and toner cartridges and cell phones. Just drop these off at the waste station in the SAL. 

Batteries

We encourage students, staff and faculty to take their spent alkaline (single use) and rechargeable batteries to one of Loyalist’s convenient drop-off locations. All types of batteries are accepted, including AAA, AA, C, D, 9 volt, lithium, NiCad, NiMH, etc.

Where do they go? All batteries collected through this program will be recycled responsibly by Raw Materials Co. Did you know that 90% of a battery’s components can be recycled? The steel, earth elements (zinc, manganese, potassium, etc.), paper and plastic contained within the batteries sent to RMC will be recovered, diverted and reused.

Why does it matter? Recovered materials are used to make new products saving our earth’s finite resources and the energy needed to mine them from ore. Keeping batteries out of landfills diverts potentially harmful materials from our soils and waterways.

Bancroft Campus

Battery recycling bins can be found in the Community Employment Services office and in the Student Lounge.  

Hazardous waste

DEPOT LOCATION: 75 Wallbridge Crescent, Belleville 

Did you know items such as cooking oil can be put in a container and brought to the depot?

Tips and info

  • Plan a waste takeout schedule with your roommates early on to keep everyone organized and accountable. Ask for outside help if problems arise.
  • The bins for Pioneer are locked from 7 pm – 7 am daily.
  • Plan ahead, store it right, use it up, recover what’s left.
  • We use materials from the earth every day, for everything we do.
  • We eat food, drink from aluminum cans or glass bottles, live in wooden houses, wear clothing made from cotton or synthetic fibres, and use many plastic appliances.
  • Some of these materials, such as metals and plastics, are non-biodegradable. These materials do not decompose, although many of them can be recycled.
  • Biodegradable materials decay; examples include wood, food scraps, paper and grass clippings.
  • Many of the materials we throw away can be reused, composted, or recycled. What people buy and how it is packaged can have a big impact on the garbage problem, as well as other environmental problems.
  • Finding ways to reduce garbage and waste can empower you to find your own ways of helping the earth.
  • Try fixing rather than throwing away, choose reusable products, and practise minimalism.