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Transportation
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Opportunities to recycle can be made available at access points for all modes of transportation, including air, rail, bus, car, and boat.
Learn how to set up a recycling program at a transportation hub. Successful recycling programs often reduce disposal costs and can generate revenue for these hubs.
Public Mass Transit
Surface transportation includes buses, trains, subways, and boats. Place large collection bins near the entrances and exits to train stations or beside bus stops adjacent to trash cans. Remember, signage is very important to let the public know how and why to recycle.
Target Areas
Education
Education is essential in motivating commuters and travelers to recycle. Easily accessible recycling bins and clear signage—in multiple languages, as necessary—can help ensure the success of recycling programs in mass transit hubs.
Tips:
- Use large, clearly labeled signs to let the public know what materials they can recycle.
- Label signs with both graphics and words to communicate with non-English speakers. Consider posting signs in more than one language.
- Advertise the location of recycling bins and the importance of using them over the loudspeaker, in transit ads, on printed schedules, and on the web.
- Post information and promotional messages in the station and on buses and trains.
Bin Selection and Location
Choosing appropriately sized and shaped bins can help reduce contamination—or the mixing of trash with the desired recyclable material.
Tips:
- Use bins with slotted lids to minimize contamination.
- Place recycling bins near trash cans.
Success Stories
- By providing newspaper recycling bins at 113 of its rail stations
, the Chicago Transit Authority encourages customers to contribute to its recycling efforts. - The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) developed a recycling program that includes the availability of 65 recycling bins at many of its stations. In less than one year, the MBTA and its customers recycled nearly 1 million pounds of newspapers.
Tools & Resources
- Learn how to minimize waste while on board boats with Virginia Clean Marinas .
Highway Rest Areas
Much of the waste that is generated at highway rest areas comes from the packaging of products sold by concessionaires. Visit our Concessionaires & Vendors page to learn how to involve these valuable partners and encourage them to reduce waste as much as possible. Typical recyclables common at rest areas are plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminum cans. Rest area managers have two options for collecting bottles and cans: (1) collecting each material in a separate bin or (2) collecting plastic, glass, and metal containers together in one bin.
Target Areas
Bin Locations
Road-weary motorists rely on highway rest areas to refuel their vehicles, grab a bite to eat, and take a quick break before getting back on the road to their final destinations. Patrons do not have time to search for recycling bins, so bins should be placed adjacent to trash cans and in high-visibility areas—both inside facilities and in the parking areas.
Tips:
- Make sure clearly labeled recycling bins are placed near each trash cans.
- Consider using specialized lids to target cans and bottles and reduce mixing of trash in with recyclables.
- Place bins, particularly for bottles and cans, in parking lot areas.
Education
Clear signage with well-marked recycling bins is essential to help motorists easily recognize and choose to use the recycling bins in rest areas.
Tips:
- Mark each recycling bin to clearly show the public what materials may be recycled.
- Use signs and posters throughout the rest area to remind people to recycle.
Success Stories
- See how Wisconsin brought recycling to the state’s highway rest areas (PDF) (2 pp, 101K, about PDF).
Tools & Resources
- The Green Highways Partnership (GHP) is a voluntary, public/private initiative that is revolutionizing our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Through concepts such as integrated planning, regulatory flexibility, and market-based rewards, GHP seeks to incorporate environmental streamlining and stewardship into all aspects of the highway lifecycle. A component of this initiative is providing recycling receptacles at highway rest stops.
Airports
Airports generate tons of waste—and recyclable materials—every day, including beverage containers, newspaper, office paper, and cardboard. Airports, therefore, are in a position to make great strides in promoting and benefiting from recycling.
Target Areas
Bin Selection and Location
Choosing appropriately sized and shaped bins can help reduce contamination—or the mixing of trash with the desired recyclable material.
Tips:
- Use bins with slotted lids to minimize contamination.
- Place recycling bins near trash cans.
Education
Education is essential in motivating travelers to recycle. Easily accessible recycling bins and clear signage—in multiple languages, as necessary—can help ensure the success of recycling programs in mass transit hubs.
Tips:
- Use large, clearly labeled signs to let the public know what materials they can recycle.
- Label signs with both graphics and words to communicate with non-English speakers. Consider posting signs in more than one language.
- Advertise the location of recycling bins and the importance of using them in transit ads, on printed schedules, and on the web.
- Post information and promotional messages throughout the terminals.
Success Stories
- Learn how Sea-Tac Airport improved recycling for Seattle air travelers (PDF) (2 pp, 90K, about PDF).
- Recycling at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has grown from less than 5 percent of waste generated to 28 percent.
- The Salt Lake City Department of Airports (SLCDA) is home to a comprehensive recycling program that targets recyclables generated both by the public and in-house.
Tools & Resources
- Developing and Implementing an Airport Recycling Program (PDF) (42 pp, 1.4MB, about PDF)
- Discover the ins and outs of setting up an airport recycling program | PDF Version (2 pp, 101K, about PDF).
- Airport Waste Assessment Questionnaire (PDF) (1 pg, 49K, about PDF).
- Typical Recyclables Generated at Airports by Source (PDF) (1 pg, 42K, about PDF).
