- What is the new surplus store and recycling facility? As the university moves to significantly enhance its position with environmental stewardship, the need for a larger, more comprehensive recycling center became apparent. After strong support from students, staff and administration, the MSU Board of Trustees approved the plans for a new surplus store and recycling facility in January 2008.
- What is the MSU Surplus Store? The MSU Surplus Store is a department of the controller’s office at MSU. MSU Surplus is responsible for the disposition of all university-owned property and provides managed storage to more than 90 university departments. The disposition model starts with re-deployment of property across campus as a cost savings, followed by public sale. If an item has been determined by the Surplus Store to have no value, it is donated to a charitable organization, given away through the free pile or recycled. Sending property to the landfill is the last option in the process. The Surplus Store also has storage space available for rent.
- Where will the new facility be located? The MSU Surplus and Recycling Center will move from its current location on Harrison Road to a nine-acre lot along the west side of Farm Lane, north of the CSX railroad in the Service District.
- What materials are going to be accepted by the new recycling facility? The first major focus will be on five materials; white paper, mixed paper, newspaper, cardboard and plastic. In January 2010, all plastics, boxboard and household metals will be accepted. Additional materials will be added as new recycling markets are identified.
- How much does the recycling facility cost? Will tuition rise to pay for this? The Surplus Store and Recycling Center costs $13.3 million to build. The revenue from recycled materials will be used to pay for the new center; no tuition dollars will be used.
- What is the size and scope of the new facility? The new surplus store and recycling facility will be 70,000 square feet. It will be able to recycle two to three times the amount of materials as the current facility.
- Which architectural firm is being used? Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber Inc., whose headquarters are in Grand Rapids, Mich.
- What is being done to educate about recycling and promote it within the community? There will be an educational center as part of the new facility where visitors may learn about recycling and material reuse and view the facility operation in action. Be Spartan Green also promotes waste reduction and recycling in its campaign.
- Will the new facility be open to students, staff and the public? The facility is intended for the 579 buildings on campus. There will be a public drop off area but it is not intended to become a regional recycling facility. An educational center and tours will be available to the public. Contact the recycling hotline to schedule at (517) 355-1723.
- When did construction begin for the new facility? June 2008.
- When will the new facility be open? September 2009.
- Is there room for expansion? The master plan for the recycling center also will allow for another expansion that would triple MSU’s recycling efforts from where they are now.
- What other features will the recycling facility have? The site also will have a truck scale, exterior storage areas for compost, concrete and metal scrap, and space for roll-off and semi-trailer storage containers.
- Will the building be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified? The facility has been submitted for LEED Silver certification, which we fully expect to earn.
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