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It’s the law, and it’s also smart. So saying, MUSC has stepped up its approach to recycling.

If all goes well, the university will soon close out the year nearly $70,000 richer by disposing of more than 1 million pounds of recycled materials.

A university cost benefit analysis for Fiscal Year 1998 revealed that it costs $0.11 per pound to throw away solid waste. Comparatively, it costs only $0.04 per pound to recycle solid waste. Factoring in the cost avoidance number, the university saves about $0.07 for every pound recycled.

“The recycling program exists because the university and hospital students and employees support it so enthusiastically,” said Christine R. Von Kolnitz, recycling coordinator for MUSC’s Earth Clinic. “We work hard everyday to match our customer’s enthusiasm.”

Established on campus in 1992, the clinic received the Carolina Recycling Association’s 1998 Spotlight Award for Excellence in waste reduction and recycling.

In 1998, MUSC recycled more than 995,000 pounds of waste that once would have been dumped into Charleston County’s disposal sites.

So far, several campus areas have been creative in their recycling efforts.

More than 900 recycling bins have been placed in campus locations to collect office paper, aluminum, cardboard, newspaper, magazines and telephone books. In addition, MUSC recycles lead acid batteries. Three balers and one 30-yard trash compactor help process cardboard.

All trash aside, the Physical Plant’s grounds crew collects and contributes yard waste for the Charleston County compost facility. Maintenance personnel recycle scrap metal, flourescent light bulbs and oil. Construction and engineering departments collaborate with on-campus contractors to recycle cardboard, scrap metal, concrete and asphalt.

This result provided more than 704,000 pounds of asphalt and about 2.5 million pounds of concrete as recycled materials.

The Radiology Department recycles silver, film and other precious metals are gathered from the Dental School. The safety department has distilled chemicals such as ethanol, toluene and xylene. The university has an ongoing pilot program for collecting plastic, glass and steel from MUSC Children’s Hospital.

The library and recyling departments, in conjunction with the Sustainable Universitities Initiative, conducted a three-month pilot project using paper with a 20 percent recyclable content. This paper is now available through Procurement’s Central Stores. Its costs are equal to stock virgin content paper. Even The Catalyst is printed on 80 percent recycled paper.

Each year, more departments continue to join the list of active recyclers. The clinic’s new goal in 1999 is to add food and lab animal waste to recycling efforts. The clinic has purchased a vermicomposting unit from Vermitech, Inc. which is expected to be operational in May.

MUSC promotes recycling efforts in Lowcountry communities by sending the program’s recycling mascot, Dr. Recycle, to community events including Berkeley County Kids Who Care, Children’s Environmental Education seminars, Aluminum Cans for Burned Children events and hospital visits. The university supports the annual Charleston Clean City Sweep and has a Charleston County drop-site container on campus.

For more information about recycling, contact Von Kolnitz at 792-4066.