Princeton University Recycling Containers

The older, poorly designed recycling containers are slowly being replaced on campus by better designs. The first photo here shows one of the older designs that, though paired, still are problematic because the trash (left) and recycling containers look so similar.

Note, 12/2011: Recent checks suggest that these are getting decent separation, which may be due to students caring enough to notice the color difference.

A newer design has been installed at the new soccer stadium, as part of an effort by the unversity's rec department to improve recycling at all stadiums on campus. The recycling bin is on the left, with a small hole for cans and bottles, made vertical so that rain doesn't get in. All of these are paired with trash cans, and probably work well. It would be better if the container was not completely opaque, i.e. if the container made it easy to see if the bag inside is filling up and needs to be emptied.

The third photo shows the kind of container that's becoming common inside buildings, with different shaped holes for trash, paper and cans/bottles. These, too, look like a big improvement.

I recently attended a basketball game at Jadwyn Gym, and was glad to find that they now have transparent recycling bins set up in various places, next to trash cans (see post about transparency in recycling containers for more info). I was even more glad because I had been the one who suggested they give the transparent bins a try. It's always deeply flattering when someone actually takes your advice.