And we're back! This blog will be updated on a weekly (or more frequent) basis from now on.

As you returned to campus, you might have noticed that the transition to single stream recycling is well underway. Working closely with the Office of Facilities and the Office of Sustainability, our office worked to establish graphic standards for the new program. We've been busy designing everything from the new single stream signage in residential colleges, weatherproof labels for dumpsters, informational posters, and training materials.

I noticed these recycling bin labels in the wild as I walked around campus this morning. Below is a glimpse of the graphic icon system we developed to denote the four categories of single stream recyclable materials: glass, plastic, metal, and paper.

The four types of materials are all recyclable, with a few exceptions noted in black on the poster below.

If you've been to the new Center for Science and Social Science Information (CSSSI) In Kline Biology Tower, you might have seen these signs hanging above the new trash and recycling bins. They're made of recycled plastic and continue the campus-wide coding system of black receptacles for trash and green bins for recycling.

So how do you know when your area of campus has transitioned to single stream? If you see a poster like this,

you'll know that the single stream is on its way. If you see bright pink posters that announce "Single Stream is here!" you should notice newly labeled bins around your area. In the coming months, all of the bins around campus will be given new labels to reflect their single stream status. The graphic icon system we developed will be adapted to all existing bin types on campus. If you've been inside of any of the residential colleges since break, you'll notice that their signage for built-in stations has also been converted to single stream. 

Watch this space in the coming months -- we'll feature more of the work that we did for this project as it rolls out! For more information on Single Stream, check out the Yale Recycling website.