Purchase College Opens New Redemption Center

Purchase College has opened a new Redemption Center for students and faculty to recycle their used glass, plastic and aluminum beverage containers. The center, at the More Store, located in the Fort Awesome dormitory, was opened on Oct. 7 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Those presiding at the ceremony included President Thomas J. Schwarz, Executive Director of the Purchase College Association Bill Guerrero, Purchase Sustainability Director Joseph Tripodi and student Steve Sabel.

The Redemption Center will have three automated recycling machines which will take most plastic, aluminum and glass recyclables and provide redemption. Students will be encouraged to bring recyclables to the location. Purchase is the first SUNY campus to have a complete recycling center.

Nine area merchants have provided coupons that are included with the redemption receipts.  They are: Pepsi, Red Bull, Ming Dynasty  Chinese Restaurant, Jordan’s Hilltop Restaurant, Purchase Deli, Zanaros Italian Restaurant, Applebee’s, LaBella Restaurant and Pizzeria, and Connecticut Wines and Liquors.

The automated, “reverse” vending machines were provided by Tomra of North America, provider of advanced recycling solutions, located in Shelton, CT. Founded in 1972, Tomra is headquartered in Asker, Norway and provides end-to-end recycling with automated recycling machines for empty beverage containers, pick up, transportation and processing services, and waste sorting and compaction equipment sales. The company has operations in nearly 50 countries and represents nearly 40% of total global recycling revenue.

President Schwarz in April 2007 joined 151 other US Colleges Presidents in signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.  He has been a staunch supporter of raising the standards for sustainability efforts.  Purchase is committed to enhancing and establishing additional programs campus wide.

The Purchase College Association which manages the business services such as food service, the book store, laundry, cable TV, vending machines, parking, student health, financial services and introduced a number of sustainability programs such as Zipcars, Zimrides a ride-share program, Purchase Loop buses, fair trade coffee sold in the Starbucks store, trayless dining, vending misers which reduce lights on vending machines when not in use, serving locally grown food in dining halls and green channel TV.

Purchase College State University of New York is a major institution of higher education encompassing the liberal arts and sciences, professional training in the performing and visual arts, continuing education and liberal studies, including  the Neuberger Museum of Art and The Performing Arts Center.

Some related internal links on IT www.PETrecycling.cz:

• 06.01.2010 TOMRA T-53- A tough machine for tough environments

• 25.11.2009 NY- Finally - bottle bill expansion in effect

• 31.10.2009 Reverse vending machines in Fairfield University

• 11.10.2009 Reverse Vending Machine is First in Lancashire

• 29.09.2009 First reverse vending recycling machine installed in Lancashire

• 27.08.2009 New rePlanet recycling center in Tustin, California