Carnegie Mellon University
OP-14: Office Paper Purchasing

POLICY TITLE: Carnegie Mellon University Recycling Policy DATE OF ISSUANCE: This policy was originally issued to campus on 10/5/90 as a presidential policy memo, Recycling Policy for Carnegie Mellon. ACCOUNTABLE DEPARTMENTS/UNITS: Questions on policy content should be directed to Barbara Kviz, Environmental Coordinator, Facilities Management Services, x8-7858 or ABSTRACT: Describes the university's recycling program and waste reduction efforts. RELATED INFORMATION: Carnegie Mellon Recycling and Environmental Practices Policy for Carnegie Mellon This is to announce the adoption of the following Recycling Policy for the university. Carnegie Mellon University is committed to recycling the materials it uses and to minimizing non-hazardous waste. It is the responsibility of every member of the campus community to support these efforts that will protect our environment by conserving resources and preserving rapidly diminishing landfill space. The implementation of a campus-wide recycling program is the first step toward developing a comprehensive environmental policy for Carnegie Mellon. Recycling is just one part of a much larger program of activities through which Carnegie Mellon will take an increasingly active role to further understanding and preservation of our environment in the years to come. Facilities Management Services is responsible for the implementation of Carnegie Mellon's recycling program. The Environmental Coordinator in this department will be responsible for the management of the recycling program and coordination of waste reduction efforts on campus. Each department will designate, in writing, an official Recycling Liaison who will coordinate departmental recycling efforts with the Carnegie Mellon Environmental Coordinator. The entire campus community is expected to actively participate in Carnegie Mellon's Recycling Program and waste reduction efforts. This involves three distinct activities. 1.Recycling of paper, cardboard and beverage cans (aluminum and bimetal). 2.Source Reduction: This includes but is not limited to making double-sided copies, increased use of electronic mail instead of memos, reuse/resale of surplus furniture, etc. 3.Purchasing products made from recycled materials. The long-term success of recycling programs in this country depends on the creation of markets for recycled materials. All departments should purchase recycled products wherever economically feasible. Recycling programs already functioning on campus are encouraged to continue and expand provided that they do not hinder the campus-wide recycling program. Individuals responsible for such programs must provide recycling volume data to the Carnegie Mellon University Environmental Coordinator to permit the university to comply with Pennsylvania Act 101 (Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 101 of 1988).

Carnegie Mellon University purchases 30%-recycled paper for our large campus wide paper purchase. However, the University cannot limit its purchases to only recycled paper due some of the printers requiring virgin paper. All purchasing at the University is decentralized, so the paper purchasing expenditures provided from our central warehouse is for the majority of paper purchased on campus, but not all of the paper purchased.

The Recycling Policy includes a section to purchase recycled content materials. http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/Recycle.html