Routes

All student recycling crews and individuals are scheduled for specific duties and work stations on a written schedule which remains unchanging from week to week (see "Schedule" below). Consequently, each individual and crew knows in advance were to report to work and the nature of the duties to be performed during the work shift, designated as: Van route, Paper route, Housing route, EMU shift, Lawrence shift, Walking B/C shift, Maintenance shift or Administrative shift. This allows for regularity in meeting operational needs and ensures a smooth transition between work shifts without the need for a Coordinator to be present (crews know ahead of time and from week to week what general duties they will be performing on given days during given shifts). Crews are always comprised of pairs of student recyclers (Campus Recycling internal policy dictates that all vans be operated by a driver AND a partner for use in backing/spotting, and no program vehicle is equipped for safe, legal operation with more than two occupants).

Service routes are written up for scheduled service crews prior to the commencement of work shifts by the Coordinator responsible for each operational area. Routes are based upon a combination of regular service schedules, on-call service requests, and special service needs dictated by the day-to-day operations of the University community. With the exception of responding to special-needs requests and office clean-outs, service crews collect materials at the permanent sites located through campus and off-campus areas in a fairly routine fashion.

Work shifts for service crews begin with a review of the service route slip written up by the Coordinator and placed on the route assignment board. Routes are designated on preprinted forms listing all buildings and areas in the total service domain -- assigned service stops are simply checked off on the preprinted forms. Routes slips may also indicate special pickups or deliveries to be performed during routes, as well as optional notes designating the order of route stops. Crews are responsible for taking the maps for each building and area on the route with them for use in servicing all areas (maps are filed in a master map file in each crew room). Prior to leaving either of the recycling facilities, crews are responsible for performing and recording in writing a complete vehicle pre-operation safety inspection (see "Driving" below).

While on route, each crew is responsible for servicing each building or area assigned on the route slip as per route maps and special instructions -- and as time allows. Since crew shifts are scheduled around and between student course commitments and other activities (see "Scheduling" below), route duration is determined by clock time rather than by task completion. Crews return to the facility when either a.) the route is finished, or b.) the shift end is approaching, whichever comes first (and occasionally when the van is full). Upon return to the warehouse, Paper crews are responsible for unloading full barrels into the Warehouse, refilling the vans with empty barrels, cleaning out the van beds and cabs, and parking the vans in preparation for the next shift. Crews may also sort paper until the end of the shift if time allows. Since GMP crews unload at the BRING Recycling center whenever vans are full, GMP shifts may or may not end with a trip to BRING to unload (GMP vans often fill up and are unloaded mid-shift, and GMP shifts often end with a partially full van which is left for the next crew to continue filling). Crews finish the shift by submitting the route shift to the Coordinator with completed stops checked off, re-filing the service maps, and verbally communicating with the Coordinator about the route.

The UO Campus Recycling Program is working to reduce vehicle impact by incorporating bike trailer and walking routes into the regular collection routes. There is a walking route for bottles/cans and a bicycle route as well. The student recyclers are trained for these areas in addition to the regular program operations. There is a separate training for these satellite walking routes, for more information CLICK HERE.

Bicycle routes require specialized training in service areas as well as bike/trailer operation and inspection. For more information CLICK HERE.