New facility makes campus greener
MSU’s Surplus Store and Recycling Center isn’t just a collection facility—it’s a working model of green design.
The $13 million facility, located off of Farm Lane on campus, accommodates three times the amount of materials as the former MSU recycling facility. A comprehensive recycling program, coupled with the facility, has allowed the university to expand recycling collection in 553 buildings on campus. The five target materials are white paper, mixed office paper, newspaper, cardboard, and plastics.
Others are starting to take notice. Stepping up collection efforts has earned MSU the Recycler of the Year award from the Michigan Recycling Coalition.
“The facility emphasizes the reuse and recycling functions that are critical to keeping waste out of the landfill,” said Ruth Daoust, manager of the facility.
The 74,000-square-foot center houses the MSU Surplus Store, recycling operations, offices, and education center; storage areas for compost and metal scrap; a truck scale; and space for roll-off and semi-trailer storage containers.
The center, which has been submitted for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification, contains a number of green features, including recycled green glass, which is mixed in the concrete around the building; rainwater collection, which provides 60 percent of filtered gray water for toilets, urinals, and power washers; and rooftop solar panels, which produce 10 percent of the building’s electricity.
Watch a video about recycling, sorting, and reusing campus waste and treasures.
