Sustainability Institute

World Campus Learning Design completes ambitious textbook recycling project

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This past month, Kathy Highbaugh, quality assurance manager for World Campus Learning Design at Penn State, undertook a massive recycling project with her work unit. Over the years, World Campus Learning Design at Penn State has collected a significant number of textbooks to help with developing online courses. Now that these editions are being transferred to digital text, Highbaugh and her colleagues decided to sustainably recycle the outdated texts.

“As I have managed recycling projects in the past, I knew to reach out to the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) by visiting the Penn State recycling page, which resulted in me sending an email to sustainability@psu.edu,” said Highbaugh, “Once we connected, the Sustainability Institute quickly mapped out a plan for the book-recycling project.” 

The first step was connecting with Dave Coleman, supervisor of Solid Waste and Labor Operations at OPP, who was available to answer questions about recycling and took samples of the books to Centre Country Recycling and Refuse Authority to see if any preparation of the books was needed. In this case, the hard covers of the books needed to be removed, and any CDs or cover material discarded. 

“Initially, removing the covers of the hardbound books seemed like it would be a bit daunting,” said Highbaugh, “However, once we removed a few covers, we quickly found the most efficient way to perform this task.” 

After the books were prepped, the paper was picked up by OPP and brought to Centre Country Solid Waste Authority to be sent out to a factory that will remanufacture the books into new paper goods.

Altogether, World Campus Learning Design was able to divert 1,300 pounds of waste from the landfill. Instead, this waste will be transformed into new resources.

“Departments considering recycling or office cleanup projects should reach out to the sustainability folks,” said Highbaugh, “They will guide you through the project with ease!”

Last Updated December 1, 2021