UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For those looking to reduce their waste and become better recyclers, Penn State has launched a mobile app and is updating waste station signage.
The Recycle Coach app, now available for download, includes a comprehensive "What Goes Where?" search tool, including proper disposal information and collection requirements for both common and uncommon items, tailored specifically to the University Park campus. Available for both desktop and mobile devices, Recycle Coach includes content offered in English, Spanish, Hindi, Korean and simplified Chinese.
“We’re excited to bring the Recycle Coach app to University Park,” said Ayodeji Oluwalana, waste reduction and recycling program manager in the Penn State Office of Physical Plant. “The app will help us in our efforts to achieve our three goals for campus — reduce overall waste, reduce contamination in the waste stream and increase recycling participation.”
Recycle Coach hosts up-to-date information about waste and recycling and includes engagement and educational tools to help the campus community manage and correctly dispose of their waste.
In addition to the popular “What Goes Where?” tool, the app also features weekly quizzes for useful recycling tips and tricks as well as a reporting tool equipped with geolocation to notify campus users about waste issues.
Emma Chaplin, chair of the Student Sustainability Advisory Council and intern in the Office of Physical Plant, assisted in the launch of the Recycle Coach app at University Park.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the impact that launching the Recycle Coach app has on campus. It’s easy to use and intuitive, making recycling even easier on campus,” Chaplin said.
The Recycle Coach app is available on the iTunes Store and Google Play, with its features also accessible through the Penn State Sustainability website.
Additionally, installation of updated waste station signage is occurring across all Penn State campuses. The new signs use high-contrast colors and updated imagery to clearly indicate what belongs in each receptacle, improving consistency across campuses while reducing contamination. The signs are tailored to meet the local recycling requirements at each campus.
Together, the app and improved signage remove the guesswork from recycling, empowering the Penn State community to make smarter disposal decisions while reducing contamination in the waste stream.