Centralized recycling stations are located in all academic and residential buildings on campus. Custodians empty the bins at these stations as needed, putting the materials either curbside or in a designated trash/recycling pick up location. Waste Management staff then pick up and deliver recyclables to the Recycling Center for processing. Cardboard dumpsters are collected with a rear load compacting truck. You can view our current collection schedule.
During the summer, Middlebury College turns into a multicultural and multilingual learning experience. Students arrive to study any one of eight different foreign languages. The Recycling program keeps in the spirit of the summer by changing all of our recycling posters into the nine foreign languages studied here: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese.
In the summer months, Middlebury College also operates the Bread Loaf School of English and Writer's Conference at Middlebury's mountain campus. During the winter months, the College operates the Snow Bowl ski area and Reikert Ski Touring Center. Recycling services are provided at each of these locations in addition to the main campus.
After collection, materials are taken to the Middlebury College Recycling Center for processing. Cardboard, mixed paper, plastics, tin and aluminum are sorted and then baled in the two horizontal balers. Finished bales are stored in tractor-trailer boxes and then delivered to market. Glass is pulverized for use as a substitute for natural aggregate. Certain materials like Styrofoam peanuts are reused.
Middlebury employs five full-time staff members and many students to perform all aspects of the Waste Management program.