| Background | | | | Residential houses |
| Michigan State University | | | | Bus terminals |
| Founded in 1855 | | | | Previously, Deans had objected to recycling |
| The top research institution and leader in | | | | containers being in so many public spaces because |
| international engagement | | | | they were unattractive. The sleek appearance of |
| Currently has 533 buildings and over 40,000 | | | | the 'Waste Watcher' meant that more recyclables |
| students enrolled in the more than 200 programs | | | | could be collected in more places at MSU. |
| First recycling program was launched in 1991 | | | | The containers were used to form a recycling |
| Thousands of recycling containers have been | | | | station: |
| scattered across the campus | | | | The 'Waste Watchers' are designed to link |
| Busch Systems International | | | | together to form a sleek recycling station |
| North American leader of waste, compost | | | | Each container collects a different material |
| and recycling containers for the past 25 years | | | | without occupying a great deal of space |
| Set the industry standard for the yearly | | | | The station collects paper, mixed, boxboard, |
| production of new molded bins | | | | plastics and household metal |
| Each container is 100% recyclable and North | | | | The recycling stations are emptied by the |
| America made with a minimum of 35% recycled | | | | custodial staff who: |
| content | | | | Transfers the material into larger containers |
| Waste Watcher | | | | The recycling crew picks up and transports |
| Space efficient, high density, attractive and | | | | the containers to an on campus recycling center |
| functional | | | | The school then sorts it, bales it and sells it |
| Ideal for high traffic areas | | | | This fosters sustainability and produces a |
| Holds upward of 23 gallons of recyclables or | | | | profit to fund the program by |
| waste | | | | The 'Waste Watchers' features are designed to |
| Has custom lids, labels and openings for easy | | | | help the schools collection process including: |
| sorting | | | | Removable lids and easy-grip handles which |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | | | | save time and resources |
| also uses these containers | | | | Custom lid openings |
| Analysis | | | | MSU selected a circular opening for plastics |
| The new containers marked the beginning of | | | | and a thin slot shaped opening for paper collection |
| Phase II of the MSU recycling program. In Phase I | | | | MSU found the custom openings on the |
| a mix of old and new containers were used in | | | | containers to work well with their program. The |
| various building across the school. The mix of | | | | openings feature a simple, clean sorting system |
| containers was confusing for students and looked | | | | which is easy to identify and use. This diverts |
| poorly on the campus. Phase II was rolled out in | | | | more materials into the correct container and |
| late December of 2009 with Busch 'Waste | | | | reduces the resources spent sorting them. |
| Watchers'. Staff spent four, fourteen hour days | | | | Conclusion |
| over winter break to setup the program | | | | Overall, Busch recycling containers have increased |
| effectively. | | | | MSU's recycling participation. They have also |
| Phase II consisted of three thousand dark green | | | | improved the quality of sort from the collected |
| 'Waste Watchers' which were placed in over 200 | | | | materials. What remains to be seen is how the |
| buildings at MSU including: | | | | program will take shape in the coming months and |
| Classrooms | | | | how this will impact future initiatives. Nevertheless, |
| Research labs | | | | the new containers allow for more recyclables to |
| Athletic centers | | | | be collected in more areas. |
| Administration buildings | | | | |