Recycling, Reconsidered: UNT Health students turn Earth Day lessons into real-world action
Not all recycling facilities operate the same way. For students in the UNT Health
College of Public Health, seeing those differences firsthand can reshape how they
understand environmental health.
Twenty-six students enrolled in EOHS 5300: Environmental Determinants of Health recently visited a newly opened, state-of-the-art Waste Management recycling facility in Fort Worth as part of a required course experience in the Master of Public Health program. The visit offered students a tangible look at systems they often study only in theory. The course introduces students to foundational environmental health topics, including food systems, pesticide exposure and air quality, while encouraging them to examine these issues through a public health lens. Recycling, often considered a routine practice, becomes a point of critical discussion—prompting questions about its effectiveness, limitations and economic drivers.
“This class, by design, is for students’ experiential learning,” said Kari Northeim, Ph.D., M.B.A., assistant professor of population and community health. “The course follows a flipped classroom model, allowing for active discussion and problem-solving during class.”
This marked the first time Dr. Northeim coordinated the facility visit, which created more hands-on learning opportunities.
During the tour, students explored common misconceptions about recycling. For instance,
mixed-material products—items composed of multiple materials that cannot be separated—are
typically not recyclable. They also learned that recycling is driven largely by market
demand. When the cost of oil and gas rises, recycled materials become a more economical
alternative, increasing their value as commodities.
Students were introduced to resin identification codes, particularly codes 1, 2 and 5, which are commonly accepted for recycling. Items with resin code 1 have high commodity value and are easily recycled into new products.
Understanding which materials are accepted varies by municipality, reinforcing the importance of local guidelines, such as those outlined by the City of Fort Worth.
WM’s role in the recycling process is to sort, separate and repackage materials for resale, emphasizing that recycling operates within a broader economic system. While materials like aluminum and certain plastics hold significant value, other materials such as glass offer a limited financial return despite being recyclable.
Misty Adams, senior public affairs specialist at WM, highlighted the importance of consumer behavior during the visit, emphasizing that one can encourage others to live more sustainably by purchasing products with recycled materials.
The facility’s technology left a strong impression on students. Capable of processing up to 40 tons of material per hour, the system uses advanced machinery to sort recyclables by weight, size and color. Items smaller than four inches, however, cannot be effectively processed and are diverted to landfills. Similarly, placing recyclables in plastic bags prevents proper sorting, as automated systems cannot identify enclosed materials.
First-year MPH student Meagan Taveira was among the students who gained a new appreciation for the complexity and precision of modern recycling systems.
“What surprised me was how advanced their technology is,” Taveira said. “They have machines that separate recyclables from landfill items based on color and weight, with light-weight recyclables like plastic bottles being thrown off the line. The machines act as eyes for the line, making it safer for human workers because they do not need to put their hands into machinery while it runs at high speeds.”
The visit also reinforced practical habits students can apply in their daily lives. For example, containers such as water bottles should be emptied before being placed in recycling bins to ensure proper sorting.
“After visiting the waste management facility, I now recycle empty water bottles with their caps attached,” Taveira said. “Keeping the caps on ensures the entire item is recyclable, as loose caps are often too small to be processed and can be discarded as waste.”
Students also learned that compostable products are designed to break down in landfill conditions and should not be placed in recycling bins. Meanwhile, WM continues to explore more efficient methods for energy recovery from waste.
This experience extends far beyond the classroom. Dr. Northeim hopes this trip sparks the beginning of students’ pursuit and advocacy for health protections, as well as improved access to resources. As required of the EOHS 5300 course, students will develop policy briefs advocating for environmental health issues, using insights from their WM visit to inform their work. The College of Public Health will also play a key role in UNT Health’s upcoming Earth Day event, with Dr. Northeim’s class supporting community outreach in partnership with the Office of Sustainability.
“Our class will apply the knowledge and information attained from our WM visit to use in real time for community outreach at this event as the public health experts for Earth Day,” Dr. Northeim said.
The 2026 Earth Day event is open to the community and will take place on the UNT Health campus in the MET building on Tuesday, April 21 from 3-5:30 p.m.