The University of Michigan-Flint switched to a single-stream recycling system in July 2026, allowing students, faculty and staff to place recyclable materials in one blue recycling bin instead of sorting them among multiple bins.
The change followed a review of the university’s previous multi-stream system and a partnership between the Flint Planet Blue Ambassador program, Flint Facilities and Operations and the Ann Arbor Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation.
Alison Richardson, the Sustainability program manager at U-M Ann Arbor, who worked on the Waste Reduction and Engagement team at the OCSI, said the teams reviewed Flint’s existing recycling program, processes and infrastructure before making the change.
“The move to single-stream was a great opportunity to streamline collection and introduce new standard waste bins and signage to the Flint campus,” Richardson said.
Under the new system, paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminum can be placed together in the blue recycling bins as long as materials are clean and dry. Previously, recyclable materials had to be sorted into different bins.
Jazlynne Cathey, the sustainability programs coordinator in the UM-Flint Office of the Dean of Students, said the main challenge was how many different recycling bins there were.
“The main challenge with our previous system was the many different recycling bins that were found across campus,” Cathey said. “It’s harder to educate people on where to throw recyclable materials if the bins differ from building to building.”
Cathey said the University’s most recent Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program survey found 38% of students reported knowing a lot or a fair amount about recycling. The survey also found that 42% of staff and 27% of faculty reported the same level of knowledge.
“By converting to a single-stream system and standardizing our waste bins, we’re trying to make sorting easier,” Cathay said.
The university is using a paired-bin model, with each blue recycling bin placed alongside a black landfill bin. The system is intended to help users distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
Some items that may appear recyclable should still be placed in landfill bins. Cathey said hot and cold beverage cups, plastic bags and single-serve packets are not accepted in the University’s recycling system.
The university plans to evaluate the new system through visual bin checks conducted by the Planet Blue Ambassador program. Staff will look for “missed recovery,” or recyclable materials placed in landfill bins, and “common contaminants,” or non-recyclable materials placed in recycling bins.
“Our goal with the new waste system is to simplify and streamline the program and increase the amount of material that is recycled,” Richardson said.
Cathay said the university will continue educating the campus community about the new system as the semester progresses. Students can find the university’s recycling rules at go.umflint.edu/recycling.
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