Ask a COA student to write a note, and most likely he or she will look around for the nearest recycling bin - and find that bin easily. COA paper recycling bins are in just about every office. Cardboard, bottle and additional paper containers are on just about every floor. Other paper is passed on to be used by Conners-Emerson, a local elementary school.

At COA, recycling is as natural as the heys and hellos that are said to every passing person - recycling is part of the community spirit.

 

Legislative Action
COA's first crop of students were key to the passage of Maine's returnable beverage container bill, back in the 1973-74 special session of the Maine Legislature. And the bill passed, despite heavy lobbying against the bill by the well-financed beverage industry. Other early students helped to establish the recycling center on Mount Desert Island, where the college is located.

Zero Waste

Ever since the college's first-in-the-nation Zero Waste Graduation, in 2005, COA has used biodegradable dinnerware for campus events - and has worked on making all events low-waste. The dinnerware is composed at COA's organic Beech Hill Farm

Composting

Most kitchen waste is composted for use in the COA community gardens.
Additional cafeteria wastes, including napkins, are composted at the college's organic Beech Hill Farm to enrich the soil.
Biodegradable plates and cups used at college events are also composted at the farm.
Dorm food "wastes" naturally digested in Green ConesTM.