Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Purdue To Change Signs, Layout Of Recycling Bins Rather Than Banning Straws

Charlie Criscola
/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlieboy808/6789488540

West Lafayette restaurants are facing pressure to reduce the number of plastic straws they use after the city council voted this week in favor of a resolution encouraging environmentally-friendly alternatives. But Purdue University officials say they don’t plan to remove plastic straws from campus.

The resolution doesn’t ban straws, or impose a fine for using them. So, while local businesses may choose to comply with the recommendations, they are not legally required to do so.

Purdue Assistant Director of Sustainability Max Driscoll says the school isn’t looking at bans or limitations on plastic utensils or straws; instead, he says it’s considering other ways to decrease the university’s environmental impact.

“Plastic recycling, or the lack of ability to recycle plastics, is kind of an education flaw that we’re trying to tackle right now,” Driscoll says.

Driscoll says after getting feedback from students and faculty, his office is working to improve the signage and layout of its recycling bins over the next six months. He says that could help the university decrease its waste production by clarifying what recyclable items it can accept.

Driscoll says while some receiving facilities are limited to accepting more durable or higher-quality plastics, the plant Purdue uses accepts a wider variety.

Related Content