Waste, Recycling & Circularity – Practicing What We Teach

Waste and recycling towards circularity is challenging enough. Try pursuing it in a university where you promote sustainability and have some of the most eager and some of the most critical participants. Meet Albert Motel, the Waste and Recycling Manager at Villanova University, to learn about circularity and the means and challenges of recycling waste at this leading sustainable institution.

This presentation was recorded. To view, click on the play button below.

Albert Motel presents the Villanova program, “Put Waste in Its Place,” which is focused on the principles of the circular economy, emphasizing how responsible waste management can minimize environmental impact. The program explores the waste hierarchy, which prioritizes reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to extend their lifecycle and prevent unnecessary waste. It highlights the key “R’s” of circularity – including Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and an often-overlooked but crucial addition: Responsibility.  Responsibility emphasizes the role individuals and institutions play in making sustainable choices, from mindful consumption to proper disposal and waste diversion strategies.

Al showcases initiatives at Villanova University that support waste reduction and sustainable materials management on campus. Efforts such as improved recycling programs, composting initiatives, and the promotion of reusable materials help minimize waste generation and to encourage sustainable practices among students and staff. Through education, innovative programs, and community engagement, Villanova is working toward a more circular and environmentally responsible campus.

Albert “Al” Motel is the Manager of Waste & Recycling at Villanova University, a position he’s served since June 2019.  His responsibilities include overseeing waste management and collections on campus, as well as advocating for improved sustainable materials management, examples of which include but are not limited to waste reduction and optimization of reuse and recycling programs.

Al is a Certified Recycling Professional (CRP) through Penn State University and the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, as well as a certified TRUE Advisor of Zero Waste through the U.S. Green Business Council.  With over 20 years of experience working in logistics and transportation, he brings a wealth of frontline and management experience in the areas of optimizing efficiency, safety, personnel management/development, and the use of digital operations.  His experience managing waste collections operations across Southeast Pennsylvania, for companies like Waste Management and Republic Services, provided him with an understanding of not just how waste operations work, but also an understanding of where the gaps exist that act as barriers towards improving sustainable materials management.  Al brings these experiences, along with his passion for nature to Villanova, trying to ignite positive change.  During his short time at VU, he has helped improve sustainability on campus and beyond by increasing the volume of campus waste diverted from landfills and incineration.  His accomplishments have included initiating new recycling programs, expanding existing recycling programs, creating a composting program, addition of aerobic biodigesters for diverting pre-consumer food waste, optimizing surplus material reuse programs, deployment of a recycling search engine, and working with students, staff, faculty, alumni, neighbors, vendors, and other universities to improve sustainable materials management wherever he can assist.