The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

DITV: UI Adjusts to Cardboard Ban

Newly+presented+cardboard+dumpsters+are+seated+behind+the+Three+Towers+apartment+complex+at+313+S.+Gilbert+St.+on+Sunday%2C+Jan.+28%2C+2018.+The+Iowa+City+City+Council+passed+a+mandate+in+Nov.+2016+requiring+all+rental+units+of+four+tenants+or+more+to+provide+recycling+services.+This+resolution+will+be+enforced+by+the+end+of+2018.+%28Ben+Allan+Smith%2FThe+Daily+Iowan%29
The Daily Iowan; Photo by Ben Al
Newly presented cardboard dumpsters are seated behind the Three Towers apartment complex at 313 S. Gilbert St. on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. The Iowa City City Council passed a mandate in Nov. 2016 requiring all rental units of four tenants or more to provide recycling services. This resolution will be enforced by the end of 2018. (Ben Allan Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Throwing out cardboard has been banned in Iowa City ever since Jan. 2. If cardboard is found in landfills, taxpayers will have to pay for haulers being charged double the regular tipping fee. It’s a move that is expected to save the city $2 million a year and prevent 4,000 tons of reusable cardboard from going to waste.

RELATED: Iowa City bans cardboard in landfill

With mandatory cardboard recycling, the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability had to ensure every building on campus is saving the material. They’ve increased cardboard collection days for buildings that deal with food and scientific experiments, making sure no cardboard gets onto trucks headed to the landfills. It’s possible that more recyclable items could be banned from landfills in the future. City Council is currently waiting for the Climate Action Committee to decide on additional items that need attention.

Locater: Iowa City, Iowa

Lower 3rd: Beth MacKenzie / Recycling Coordinator

Lower 3rd: Kingsley Botchway II / City Councillor

Lower 3rd: Kaylyn Kluck/ @KaylynKluck

More to Discover