Recycle Your Used Disposable Masks

09.08.2020
Look for these drop-off bins for used disposable masks at six locations around campus.
Wearing a face mask is one of the requirements for returning safely to UT Dallas during the COVID-19 pandemic. But all that extra personal protective equipment can mean more trash on campus.
Eco Reps in the Office of Sustainability came up with a solution: The student leaders are providing recycling boxes on campus for disposable masks. Hand sanitizer will be provided next to each disposal location.
The recycled masks are used as a raw material for composite lumber products such as decking, railroad ties or outdoor furniture, said Gary Cocke, sustainability director at UT Dallas.
“Eco Reps are peer educators and sustainability leaders who are always looking for ways that UTD can be a better steward of the environment. When Eco Rep alum Aleks Adamopoulos BS’19 reached out to the team to share the new recycling solution, our current Eco Reps took the idea and ran with it,” Cocke said.
Used masks can be dropped off at six locations on campus:

• Dining Hall West lobby
• Engineering and Computer Science West atrium
• Naveen Jindal School of Management atrium
• Student Services Building Addition lobby
• Student Union lobby
• Visitor Center and University Bookstore lobby

–Robin Russell