Because it takes less energy to make goods from recycled resources than it does to obtain and process new resources, recycling saves energy and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Diverting items from landfills and incinerators of course also reduces emissions. Recycling, then, is a crucial part of any campus climate action plan.

In fact, the benefits of campus recycling go far beyond emissions reductions; recycling gives everyone in the campus community a very tangible way to get involved and connected, learn about the systems that support them and feel they are making a difference. And, it provides an unparalleled forum for students and others to research and to learn, about economics, energy, facilities management, communications, human behavior - you name it.

As the University of Oregon recycling program puts it: "Recycling is Higher Education."