How can we make recycling more efficient? Put them in the right place for starters. This simple question and answer were the result of a research project initiated by Associate Professor of Geography Lisa Nagaoka and carried out over four long semesters by Nagaoka and her students. Working to fulfill credits for a geography course on professional development (GEOG 2110), students moved trash cans from classrooms to the busiest part of buildings and began to monitor trash. Recycling efficiency soared, from 20-30% to 80-90%, indicating that both location and signage really do matter.

The project provided the foundation for the new outdoor recycling bins and solar trash compactors you now see all over the University of North Texas (Photo 1). The waste stations will reduce the amount of recyclable materials in our landfills, protecting the environment yes and reducing cost to the city.

"Overall, what we found in the study is that if you make it easy for people to recycle, by adding waste stations to busy spaces, they will choose to recycle over simply adding material to landfills," Nagaoka said.

For more information on the campus wide recycling efforts, go to

https://news.unt.edu/news-releases/new-campus-wide-recycling-efforts-will-make-unt-even-greener