Bard works to responsibly manage and recover materials that are hazardous, repairable, or hard to recycle and to minimize the use of single-use disposable plastics. We minimize the waste materials we produce through source reduction, and divert materials from disposal in a landfill through recovery operations. See this map for in-line water filtration free-fill locations on campus.
How We Address Consumption on Campus
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RecycleBard recycles all types of paper, glass, metal, and plastic containers, electronics, and more. Containers (glass, metal, and plastic) go in their own recycling bin, separate from the paper recycling. Flatten cardboard, removing any packing materials (including all non recyclable plastic “monsters”), and stack near a recycling bin.Recycle
Bard recycles all types of paper, glass, metal, and plastic containers, electronics, and more. Containers (glass, metal, and plastic) go in their own recycling bin, separate from the paper recycling. Flatten cardboard, removing any packing materials (including all non recyclable plastic “monsters”), and stack near a recycling bin. We can help you recycle special items, like toner and cell phones (even plastic bag monsters, though they are rarer these days). Electronic waste can be brought to the Office of Sustainability in Achebe House, or it can be picked up through a B&G Service Request. If you have questions about where an item should go to be recycled, feel free to contact our office—we’re here to help!
Click on this guidance on better materials management in Red Hook and under the BardE3 link for a look at what you can recycle in the normal bins.
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Bard FreeUse is a store on campus offering students gently used clothing, dishes, office supplies, and more. FreeUse is open on weekdays when classes are in session. All items are free and donations are accepted from Bard residents.
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CompostComposting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Bard has been composting food scraps from Kline Dining for over 25 years, and recently won the number two spot in the Race2Zero Waste Competition in the Small College category.Compost
Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Bard has been composting food scraps from Kline Dining for over 25 years, and recently won the number two spot in the Race2Zero Waste Competition in the Small College category. When students scrape their dining room food scraps into the correct bucket at the Kline Commons dish return, it kicks off the process that culminates in making compost that is used at the Bard Farm. Annually, with the help of Bard Dining (Parkhurst), we weigh this waste for eight weeks, reporting out our results to the national Race 2 Zero Waste contest. We earned top spots in 2009, 2012, and again in 2024 for small colleges in the food scrap division. To see how we did in the Race 2 Zero Waste 2024, click here.
Responsible Consumption Initiatives
The Reem-Kayden Center at Bard features geothermal heating and cooling, and an advanced energy recovery system.
Buying Better, Improving Systems
Bard subcontractors are asked to follow responsible purchasing protocols. It is important to evaluate the life cycle impact of a product, from manufacturing through disposal. Some of our responsible choices include using cleaning products that are Green Seal or EcoLogo certified, buying products that meet Energy Star™ specifications for energy efficiency, and choosing paper products with postconsumer recycled content. The College follows Green Purchasing Guidelines. Our dining partner, Parkhurst, has met goals to source 20% of food according to their sustainability standards.
Did you know?
Our solid waste program is designed to decrease the amount of solid waste we generate. Since 2005 we’ve reduced our waste by 30 percent.
The Flow of Materials
Environmental Services staff empties our bins and moves the bags to the curb. Next, members of the Buildings and Grounds staff take the bags to our Recycle Yard where students help sort bags into larger containers. The waste is sorted into four containers: bottles/cans, all paper, cardboard, and trash/landfill. Once sorted, Royal Carting takes recyclables to the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency. Landfill waste is transferred to Columbia County, then trucked 250 miles to Ontario County Landfill. Recyclables have several different markets.