Research Foundation News

April 28, 2016  

Purdue recycling innovation helps reduce waste, preserve environment

PRF recycling

The recycling unit developed by Purdue University staff is a metal hoop that easily hooks on to the side of a trash can. A recycling bag slides on to the hoop and can hold up to 55 gallons of recyclables, providing an easy recycling option at the same location as a trash can. The recycling units are easy-to-use, space efficient and low-cost, and could ensure proper waste disposal at large events and tailgates.

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In the U.S., citizens generate more than 200 million tons of garbage each year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 75 percent of the American waste stream is recyclable, but only 30 percent is currently recycled.

Michael Gulich, director of  Purdue Campus Master Planning & Sustainability, Tamm Hoggatt, assistant director of Purdue Green Living and Dining and Verlin Lindley, foreman and machinist at the Purdue Research Machining Services, have developed an inexpensive recycling unit that could ensure proper waste disposal and sustainability at large events. The innovation is already being used at Purdue University and the University of Toledo.

"From tailgates to graduation ceremonies to academic symposiums, universities are known for their large events, and these events can result in a lot of waste," Hoggatt said. "Current recycling containers are expensive to rent, buy and store, as well as space-inefficient. Because of that, organizers of large events don't tend to provide an adequate amount of recycling receptacles to ensure that everyone is able to dispose of waste properly."

He added that he observed groups of tailgaters take it upon themselves to recycle by using clothespins to attach a recycling bag directly onto a trash barrel.

"It appeared a good concept, but needed improvements," he said.

The Purdue-developed recycling innovation is in the form of a metal hoop-shaped unit that easily hooks on to the outside side of a trash can to provide both trash and recycling at the same location. A recycling bag easily slides on to the hoop and can hold up to 55 gallons. The hoop was designed sized to mainly accept bottles and cans, which are typically the most valuable and heavy recycled items.

Lindley said it is a simple, but very effective idea.  

"Event organizers who currently use trash cans or other types of receptacles but need a solution for recycling could greatly benefit from our innovation. The bags that we use have easy-to-use instructions and can be customized with university colors and logos," he said. "These units are incredibly light, easy to use and need no maintenance, there's also no problem with storage. We've been able to store over 300 units in four totes, which is remarkable when you think about how much space would be needed for 300 recycling containers."

Gulich hopes that organizers for large events such as festivals, race track events and sporting events, will consider this device so they can start reducing waste and help sustain the environment.

The innovation has been patented through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization and is available for license.

About Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at innovation@prf.org 

Purdue Research Contact: Hillary Henry, 765-588-3586, hkhenry@prf.org

Source: Tamm Hoggatt, tjhoggatt@purdue.edu 

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