Crews to test new recycling strategy at PSU Blue & White game to reduce contamination

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — This weekend’s Blue and White game will be an experiment of sorts for one aspect of the game day experience for fans.

For years, surrounding Beaver Stadium, recycling has been encouraged with familiar displays that include clear and blue bags. But officials say the outcome has been less than desirable.

“We get a lot. And approximately half of it is contamination, and that’s not good for our program.”

Which is extra work? A lot of extra work, officials say.

Contamination is when other trash is mixed in with recyclables, and the extra work includes extra hours separating what’s collected.

On Saturday, at the stadium, officials say they will try a different approach.

“We still have blue bags in most lots, but in four lots, we are removing blue bags and will only have trash and drop off bins for recycling. So, this way, the person in the tailgate makes the decision whether or not they want to put their can or bottle in the bag, or if they want to walk to a drop-off bin and recycle it in there. We want to see how that works to see moving forward maybe how Penn State wants to go.”

The bins will be labeled to say bottles and cans only, with the hope that postgame sorting of the materials will be a lot easier. Penn State football games in the fall, each game usually generates twelve to fifteen tons of recyclables.