You don’t have to look very far to find a recycling container at Johnson County Community College. And once you find it, you don’t have to think very hard about what can go in it.

This summer, JCCC added more recycling containers around campus and shifted to “single stream” recycling for most indoor containers. That means that if the material can be recycled – whether it’s plastic, paper or cans -- it can go in the container. No sorting required.

The single stream recycling containers can be found inside buildings across campus and are easily identified by the Saturn-like opening in the top. A circle accommodates cans and bottles; the straight line that extends through the circle allows paper to slip through.

What goes in the container? All types of paper, aluminum and metal cans, and nos. 1 through 7 plastic. Cardboard can be recycled, too, but should be flattened and placed next to the bin instead of inside it.

It’s proven that more people will recycle if it’s easy for them, said Michael Rea, JCCC’s recycling coordinator. Eliminating the need to sort materials should increase the volume of material that’s recycled instead of sent to the landfill.

The same concept applies to boosting the number of outdoor recycling containers. Previously, the college had 110 outdoor trash cans and six outdoor recycling containers, Rea said, as well as three attached to solar-powered trash compactors installed in March.

Now, the domed containers for cans and bottles that once dotted indoor hallways have moved outside next to trash cans.

“Just putting them next to each other should increase recycling by 30 percent,” Rea said.

In addition to the single-stream recycling opportunities, JCCC students, visitors and employees can recycle a variety of materials at the school. Read more about recycling at JCCC.