18 responsibility and renewal
Recent Accomplishments Established Recycling Programs A significant move toward reducing our total waste was achieved by establishing recycling programs for the campus. These programs are the beginning of a change in the unsustainable mindset of simply “trashing” all our unwanted goods. In FY08, 98 tons were recycled, a significant start. In addition to reducing our environmental impact, the University found recycling tonnage rates to be cheaper than landfill rates, making recycling in the University’s best interest economically. Established Single Waste Disposal Company Contract Consolidating our solid waste management contracts into one new contract with a new disposal company for all solid waste and recycling on campus is giving us an overall perspective and control of our waste. It has also influenced the disposal company to stop shipping their recycling overseas. Instead, they have identified and will be using a regional facility. Participated in National “Recyclemania” Program In the spring of 2009, the University participated for the first time in the national “Recyclemania” competition, which focuses on increasing awareness among students of the values of recycling and boosting the volume of recycling in resident housing. A “Move-Out Day” program collected students’ unwanted dorm items at the end of the school year. Rather than throwing them away, all items in good condition were donated to a local charity. Over 3,900 pounds of items were donated at the end of the spring 2009 semester. Less Food in the Waste Stream The University has been rapidly expanding the amount of food waste diverted from landfills by working with a local farmer to have our pre-consumer food waste used as animal feed. Starting mid-semester in fall 2009, a post-consumer composting pilot program in the Resident Dining Cafeteria will use students’ food scraps for compost at Silverbrook Farm rather than sending them out to the landfill as trash. Campus Clean-Up Student-organized clean-ups of the campus have drawn participation from students, staff, and faculty alike. Participants fan out across the campus picking up litter and sorting recyclables from trash. The Campus Clean-Up days beautify the campus, identify possible problem zones, and raise awareness about putting trash and recycling in collection bins where they belong.