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Campus & Greenspace

Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling

In April 2013 the College will transition to single stream recycling for all campus visitors.  In single stream recycling, all recyclables can be comingled in one bin.  Sorting of recyclables is done at the recycling facility rather than by the consumers.  Implementing single stream recycling has been found to increase recycling efforts by as much as 30%.

Commonly used items on campus that can be recycled are as follows:

Paper Cardboard Glass Metal Plastic
  • newspaper
  • magazines
  • copy & office paper
  • mail & envelopes
  • hard & soft covered books
  • brown paper bags
  • shredded paper
    (placed in a plastic bag)
  • frozen food boxes
  • corrugated cardboard
  • paperboard boxes
  • beverage containers
  • jars
  • clear glass
  • blue glass
  • brown glass
  • green glass
  • aluminum cans
  • aluminum foil
  • steel cans
  • tin containers
  • aerosol cans
  • water bottles
  • soda bottles
  • clear & colored plastic
    (#'s 1-5 & 7)
  • yogurt containers

Items that cannot be recycled in the single stream bins include:

  • food contaminated paper items (i.e. pizza box with considerable amount of grease)
  • plastic shopping bags (bring clean bags to a local grocery store to be recycled)
  • plastic #6
  • Styrofoam

A more detailed look at all suitable recyclable materials is available from Midwest Fiber Recyclers.

The College also hosts separate recycling bins for items not included in the single stream recycling

  • Ink jet cartridges and cell phones placed in select locations around campus
  • Batteries can be recycled by contacting Facilities

As of April 2013, the College will no longer serve as a community recycling drop-site.  Community members can visit the remaining drop-site locations:

  • Chiddix Junior High School, 300 S. Walnut St.
  • Illinois State University, 100 N. University St.
  • Jewel-Osco, 901 Cottage Ave.
  • Prairieland Elementary School, 1300 E. Raab Road
  • Normal Community West High School, 501 N. Parkside Road
  • Normal Township Hall, 304 E. Mulberry St.
  • University Center, 1101 N. Main St.
  • Walmart, 300 Greenbriar Drive

Transportation

HCC's Raab Road campus supports environmentally conscious modes of transportation through the following:

Campus Greenspace

Before ground was broken for the Normal Campus, the College worked with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a habitat plan that would inform and guide future grounds management. Today the campus includes native trees, prairie restoration, a 13 acre stocked pond and adjacent wetlands. The Greenspace Team manages the campus habitat areas.