In an effort to combat the waste caused by personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic, this project proposed to purchase mask recycling bins from Terracycle. This effort will not only assist in waste disposal on campus but also increase awareness of masking at the University of Arizona. The project has placed mask recycling bins in the graduate housing dorm, La Aldea, and the Honors College dorm that are paired with paired with informational flyers. Once the bin is filled, it will be shipped back to Terracycle to be turned into a new product.
Despite facing several challenges, the Mask Recycling Initiative was able to achieve a significant outcome. The team successfully trained resident and desk assistants in La Aldea and Honors Village on how to monitor mask recycling boxes, created multiple informational and promotional materials, purchased and filled two boxes, and established contact with the Housing Sustainability Head. As a result of these efforts, hundreds of masks were recaptured and recycled through the Terracycle Mask Recycling Program.
However, due to the change of mask wearing standards and practices on campus, the project was no longer feasible in the long term, and the decision was made to end the project early and return all remaining funds to the Campus Sustainability Fund.
