Editor’s Note: This is the third article in a five-part series looking at local initiatives to become more environmentally-friendly.

Many people know recycling can make a positive impact on the environment, but it is not always clear what, where and when to recycle.

When approaching a recycling bin, most students understand that paper, plastic, glass and metal can be separated and recycled. Confusion emerges in understanding what types of these products do not qualify.

Nichole Crosson, CMU student recycling coordinator, has some tips to help the community understand what can be successfully recycled.

“For cardboard, if you can tear it you can recycle it,” the Metamora senior said. “For plastic, the rule is bottle or jug only.”

Crosson also highlighted the “big no’s” of recycling: no pizza boxes, no waxy cardboard, no take-out drink cups, no green glass and no plastic bags.

“Any paper that’s glossy goes in with newspapers and magazines, including brochures and flyers,” she said.

Metal containers that can be recycled must be aluminum or tin, such as soup containers, aluminum foil, cans and empty aerosol containers.

Residence halls provide containers at the front desk for miscellaneous recycling items such as batteries, ink cartridges, cell phones, hard- and soft-cover books, phone books and small electronic appliances, Crosson said.

Crosson has made an impact on the recycling program at CMU and continues to encourage and promote recycling.

“I’m trying get outdoor recycling bins here at CMU,” she said.

Isabella County Recycling Center, 4208 E. River Rd., provides household hazardous waste disposal in addition to regular recycling options.

Amy Shindorf, resource recovery director for Isabella County, said household hazardous waste dropoff days occur six times a year.

Instead of sending hazardous materials to landfills, students can dispose of old electronics, paint, fertilizers, various cleaners and many other household products at the Isabella County Recycling Center.

“General household recycling has increased,” Shindorf said. “More families are becoming more environmentally aware of the positives recycling has on our carbon footprint and saving in energy.”

CMU continues to take recycling efforts seriously with the addition of hundreds of new recycling bins located all over campus, making recycling more convenient and available for students and faculty.

A complete recycling guide may be found at fmgt.cmich.edu/recycling/ or isabellacounty.org/recycles/index.html.

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E-mail the author: Kara Scheerhorn