U South Florida Performs Food Waste Audit
The University of South Florida's Office of Sustainability hosted the university's first food waste audit in recognition of Campus Sustainability Day. Students were asked to weigh their waste prior to leaving the Juniper-Poplar dining hall in an effort to compare the university to the national average, as well as develop strategies for what to do with the leftover food. The university may expand the audit to all campus dining halls in the future.
Illinois Institute of Technology Installs Composter
The Illinois Institute of Technology has installed a new composter that will divert waste for use as fertilizer and soil amendment on campus. The project was initiated by a group of students in partnership with the Office of Campus Energy and Sustainability, the Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research and Cook County.
Arkansas State U Installs E-Waste Recycling Bins
Arkansas State University has installed two electronic waste recycling bins. Personal cell phones, rechargeable batteries, ink cartridges and other electronics up to five pounds can be recycled. Facilities Management has partnered with MARCK Recycling and WW Recycling to cover the cost of the bins.
U Calgary Hosts Waste-Free Event
The University of Calgary recently hosted its largest zero-waste event. Everything served at the president's barbecue for 3,500 undergraduate students was compostable or recyclable.
Capilano U Launches Pilot Program to Improve Recycling Habits
Capilano University (BC) has partnered with Encorp Pacific to launch a pilot program aimed at increasing student use of on-site containers for recyclable beverages. New recycling bins with better signage will be placed around campus and the university will involve nearly 100 students in the project as part of their coursework.
Temple U Dining Services Launches 'Waste Not' Initiative
Temple University's (PA) Dining Services and Sodexo have launched the Waste Not Project, a week-long effort to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental implications of portion sizes and food waste. Members of several student groups have volunteered to weigh the food left on each student's tray as it is returned and record how much is being thrown away. After the conclusion of the awareness week, Dining Services will track students' waste reduction progress by posting waste numbers monthly.
Lehigh U Implements 'PaperCut' Policy
Lehigh University’s (PA) Library and Technology Services has implemented a PaperCut policy as a print management solution aimed to cut paper waste. To curb the yearly 5.6 million sheets of paper used as a result of unlimited paper use, students will now have a $75 print allowance.
U Chicago Reduces Waste of Annual Picnic by Composting
The University of Chicago (IL) collected seven bags of compost during the recent Facilities Services Annual Picnic. By introducing composting bins for the first time, the event recycled or composted all waste with the exception of ice cream wrappers and potato chip bags.
Vancouver Island U to Ban Bottled Water
Vancouver Island University's (BC) administration and student union have announced plans for a “Ban the Bottle” campaign in an effort to clear all plastic water bottles from campus by June 2012. The plan began as part of a national initiative in partnership with other student unions associated with the Canadian Federation of Students. The university is currently planning how the phase-out will look including the replacement of vending machines on campus with hydration stations.
Claremont McKenna College Installs Food Decomposers
Claremont McKenna College (CA) has installed two food decomposers in its cafeteria dish room. The soil amendment produced by the decomposers will reduce food waste volume and weight by 95 percent without using the space, water and energy necessary for composting. The college will use the soil in the community garden and other campus locations. The machines were also locally manufactured.
Denison U Goes Paper-Free with Admissions Application Process
Denison University (OH) has announced that its Office of Admissions has moved to a completely electronic application process. With the new system, all aspects of the application process are controlled online, eliminating the need for paper hard copies.
Humboldt State U Announces Bottled Water Phase Out
Humboldt State University (CA) has announced plans to completely phase out the sale of plastic water bottles on campus. Throughout the fall semester, the university's Dining Services will stop selling single-use plastic water bottles at all campus marketplaces and eateries, and the university will discontinue the availability of plastic water bottles in campus vending machines. Two hydration stations have been installed on campus and the university plans to retrofit more water fountains to accommodate reusable water containers.
Southern Connecticut State U Debuts Single Stream Recycling
Southern Connecticut State University has implemented a single stream recycling program and placed two solar-powered compactors on campus. Together, the initiatives are expected to reduce labor costs and the university will re-evaluate the frequency of its waste pick-up during the academic year.
U Maine Campus Shifts to Single Stream Recycling
The University of Maine has made the shift to single stream recycling, eliminating the need for an on-campus sorting facility. In addition to the economic benefits, the university aims to decrease the amount of campus waste.
U Nevada Las Vegas Installs Solar Trash Compactor
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has installed a solar-powered trash compactor. The Green Built compactor will operate on solar power more than 85 percent of the time and can handle up to 160 cubic yards of trash a month. The university’s previous electric compactor was scheduled for biweekly emptying, full or not, at a lease rate of $4,200 a month. The new compactor has software that reports when it’s full, enabling a scheduled pick-up only when needed. Officials project a savings of approximately $2,500 per month. The university also plans to add a solar-powered compactor for single stream recyclables by the end of the year.
Yale U Medical School Saves Paper with iPads
In an effort to save paper and make course materials more accessible, Yale University's (CT) School of Medicine has announced that it will provide all students with an iPad 2 for use in classroom and clinical settings. Students will be able to download the entire medical curriculum on the device. The school aims to save the $100,000 spent each year to copy, collate and distribute course materials. With an initial expenditure of $600,000 on the new iPads, the university expects that the money saved on printing expenses over the years will cover the cost of the devices.
Appalachian State U Installs Solar Trash Compactors
Appalachian State University (NC) has installed four solar-powered trash compactors on campus as part of its student-led Renewable Energy Initiative. The compactors have a small photovoltaic system that is used to compress the contents when a certain weight is reached. The unit also contains a recycling container. The compactors were purchased with funds generated through a green fee paid by students.
California State U San Marcos Develops Compost System
Using coffee grounds and raw fruit and vegetable trimmings, California State University, San Marcos has developed a low-maintenance compost system to provide nutrient-rich soil for campus landscaping. The new program is a result of waste diversion discussions with nearby campuses that participated in this year's RecycleMania.
Macalester College Bans Bottled Water
Macalester College (MN) has eliminated the sale and provision of bottled water as part of its overall sustainability and climate neutrality initiatives. Bottled water will no longer be sold at the campus store, food concessions, athletic events or vending machines and will not be used for catering or purchased with college funds. The college is upgrading its water fountains and will continue to have jug water stations throughout campus.
U Iowa Converts to Single Stream Recycling
The University of Iowa has phased in a new single-stream recycling program. The system integrates a user-friendly approach that will help colleges and departments meet the university’s 2020 Vision goal of 60 percent waste diversion. The university expects the new system to streamline the process, create efficiencies and improve the recycling efforts of the campus community.
College of St. Benedict Bans Bottled Water
The College of St. Benedict (MN) has banned the sale of bottled water on campus. The ban prohibits the sale and purchase of all bottled water in vending machines, dining venues, the bookstore and at all athletic events. Campus offices will also no longer have traditional water coolers. The college has installed 31 hydration stations around campus with at least one in each building. The cost to install the stations is offset by the elimination of the water cooler contracts.
Florida Int'l U Recycles Discontinued Student ID Cards
To deter the potential waste caused by a switch to a new official on-campus identification card, Florida International University has announced that it will partner with a company that recycles old plastic cards into new cards for purchase by other companies. More than 50,000 obsolete Panther student identification cards will be saved from the landfill and in the future, the university will have the option to purchase cards from its recycled Panther cards.
Humboldt State U to Divert 100% Organic Waste
Humboldt State University (CA) has partnered with the Humboldt Waste Management Authority and Environmental Science Associates to divert 100 percent of its organic waste by December 2012. Pre- and post-consumer organic waste created at the university will be collected from campus eateries and newly installed, wildlife-resistant compost bins around campus. Organic waste will be taken to a new anaerobic food waste digester where the treated waste will produce methane, to be used to create electricity to power a local wastewater treatment plant. The second product of biodigestion will create fertilizer.
U Buffalo Converts to Single-Stream Recycling
The University at Buffalo (NY) has implemented a single-stream recycling program that no longer requires that recyclables be sorted according to type. The new program is expected to make recycling easier and lead to the diversion of more campus materials from landfills. The list of items that can be recycled has also been expanded. The conversion of the containers has been gradual and more than 1,000 old recycling lids will be donated to Buffalo State College.
Appalachian State U Pilots Program to Remove Classroom Trash Cans
Appalachian State University (NC) has developed a pilot program to remove trash cans from campus classrooms in an effort to increase recycling rates and improve collection efficiency across campus. Recycling and trash collection containers will be placed throughout the hallways in each building for convenience. The university expects the program to increase campus recycling rates and improve waste collection and recycling efficiency. In addition, expenses associated with the costs of trash bags will be reduced.
U Missouri Dining Starts Composting Program
The University of Missouri’s Campus Dining Services has partnered with the Bradford Extension Farm to compost discarded dining hall food. The farm plans to combine food waste with animal waste to make compost and will use the compost to grow vegetables to be served on campus. The university is currently constructing an aerated compost facility. The potential in food waste is up to 250 tons per year of compostable food. The Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District has donated a grant to help cover the costs of the new facility.
U Oregon Initiates Take Back the Tap Campaign
The University of Oregon’s Dining Services has announced plans to implement a pilot program in support of the Take Back the Tap campaign in the fall. The campaign is a trademark of Food and Water Watch that promotes access to quality tap water and the discontinued use of plastic water bottles. Members of the university's Climate Justice League received support for the campaign in May from the university's president, and recently held meetings with Student Affairs, Housing and Athletics in an effort to promote the use of tap water over sales of single-use plastic bottled water. The campaign has also received support from Fraternity and Sorority Life, Campus Recycling, various student groups and more than 1,700 students. To encourage more student interest, the Climate Justice League has installed more than 25 spigots, posted informative fliers and handed out reusable water bottles.
Kansas State U Students Research Ways to Increase Recycling Rates
Students at Kansas State University have conducted research on ways to improve campus recycling rates. The group collected data and compiled statistics for the university’s recycling committee. The research, coupled with surveys of students, faculty and staff, suggested that single-stream recycling could be more effective.
Middlebury College Diverts Used Astroturf from Landfill
Middlebury College (VT) has begun replacing 95,000 square feet of Astroturf that covered the field hockey course. To avoid sending the Astroturf to the landfill, a large portion of the turf will be donated to the community’s recreation center to be used for miniature golf courses. The rest of the carpet will be sent to Georgia to be used in various recreational facilities.
U Minnesota Partners with Neighborhood to Reduce Waste
The University of Minnesota's ReUse Center partnered with the Southeast Como Neighborhood Improvement Association for the recent Move In/Move Out (MIMO) Free Store. This year's effort attracted more than 800 shoppers and diverted more than 6,000 pounds of goods from the landfill this year. The store, which runs at the end of spring semester and the beginning of fall semester, encourages students and the community to donate household goods like tables, chairs and bookcases instead of throwing them away.
Bucknell U Partners with Local Farm for Composting Operation
Bucknell University’s (PA) Dining Services has partnered with Rowse Howse Farms to launch a composting operation. The local farm has agreed to collect the ground-up remains of vegetables, fruit, meat, pizza crusts, unbleached napkins and other biodegradable waste at no cost to the university. Nearly 850 pounds a day of compost material will be collected and taken to a composting operation at the 10-acre farm.
Oregon State U Breaks 2010 Donation Drive Record
Oregon State University’s residence hall donation drive successfully collected 17,558 pounds of clothes, furniture and other items, exceeding the 2010 record of 11,651 pounds. The university’s Campus Recycling, Surplus Property and University Housing and Dining worked together to collect the discarded material. Seventeen local volunteers worked 70 hours to collect, receive, sort and donate the usable goods. Surplus Property sold a few of the items to recoup the costs of the donation drive, but most other donated materials went to local organizations.
U South Florida Installs Water Refilling Stations
In an effort to discourage the use and disposal of plastic water bottles, the University of South Florida has installed water bottle refilling stations connected to water fountains on campus. The university has currently installed 15 stations across campus but expects to install more in the fall. A counter is keeping track of the plastic bottles saved as each re-usable container is filled.
Harvard U Commencement Luncheon Achieves 95% Recycling Rate
With the efforts of Harvard University (MA) Green Team members, the custodial team and undergraduate Dorm Crew workers, Harvard Law School was able to compost or recycle 95 percent of the waste generated at its recent commencement luncheon. The 5,000 guests received recyclable and compostable materials in their commencement lunch boxes that they then brought to the recycling tent, where volunteers sorted the waste into trash, compost and recycling.
U Chicago Reduces Paper Use with 'Print Sprint Tournament'
In an effort to reduce the amount of copies and printouts, the University of Chicago (IL) recently held the inaugural Print Sprint Tournament in its Young Building. Streamlined printing processes and reduced excess printing were identified by Facilities Services' SAGE Ambassadors as priority goals for greening the building. The single-elimination style tournament lasted three days and only the winners of each day's match-up advanced to the next round. The daily winners were those who produced fewer printouts and copies than their opponent, and the overall tournament winners were treated to a catered lunch.
U Mass Medical School Streamlines Rechargeable Battery Recycling
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has partnered with the nonprofit organization Call2Recycle in an effort to streamline the recycling of rechargeable batteries and provide a useful second life for them. Pre-labeled boxes will allow departments to collect and mail old rechargeable batteries for recycling at no cost. The collected batteries are then recycled into new batteries and other stainless steel products. Hazardous materials that can be reused, such as gold and silver, are reclaimed while any remaining hazardous materials are treated properly for disposal.
U Chicago E-Waste Event Diverts 43,000 Pounds from Landfill
The University of Chicago's (IL) recent e-waste collection event netted more than 43,000 pounds of electronic and scientific equipment for recycling. The university's second e-waste event drew hundreds of community members and university staff, faculty and students who brought items ranging from laptops and computer monitors to batteries and shredders. Of the total, 6,500 pounds of computer equipment will refurbished and distributed to area schools by Computers for Schools.
York U Reduces Campus Waste by 23% with ZeroWaste Program
York University (ON) recently announced a 23 percent reduction in campus waste as a result of its ZeroWaste Program. The campus community decreased the amount of paper waste by 46 percent and the program has expanded recently to include the recycling of batteries, small electronics, appliances, ink cartridges and more. Paper towel dispensers are also gradually being replaced with hand dryers in restrooms in high use areas. Launched in June 2010, the university's goal is to divert 65 percent of total campus waste by 2013.
College of the Atlantic Student Turns Food Waste into Energy
A College of the Atlantic (ME) student has created a start-up business that turns food waste into an alcohol-based, butanol fuel at the college’s Sustainable Enterprise Hatchery. A half-gallon of fuel can be produced within a week. As part of the college’s new sustainable venture incubator, the student and partners hope to receive additional grants in the fall to help purchase larger equipment to increase fuel production. The goal is to use food waste from the college cafeteria and surrounding businesses to produce enough butanol to replace gas and heating oil on campus.
RecycleMania Competition Recycles 91 Million Pounds
The 11th annual RecycleMania concluded its eight-week challenge to increase on-campus recycling rates in early April. This year, 91 million pounds of recyclables and organic materials were recovered, which prevented the release of nearly 270 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The competition ran from February 6 - April 2, 2011.
Coastal Carolina U Holds Campus Salvage Yard Sale
Coastal Carolina University’s (SC) annual Campus Salvage yard sale has collected $2,000 toward campus sustainability efforts. Students living in residence halls on campus filled 25 PODS with donations during move-out week. Donations included electronics, lamps, bedding, rugs, appliances, clothing and food. The sustainability team made donations to local nonprofits prior to the community sale.
USA Today Covers Rise in Recycled Graduation Gown Orders
More than 250 institutions have ordered graduation attire this year made from recycled plastic bottles from Virginia-based Oak Hall Cap & Gown, up from 60 last year, reports USA Today in a recent article. George Mason University (VA), which recently graduated 7,392 students in the recycled gowns, is mentioned. With an average of 23 bottles to make each cap and gown, Oak Hall Cap & Gown estimates that it is keeping more than seven million plastic bottles out of landfills. Students also have the option of dropping them off at a recycling bin where they can be turned into yet another product. Other institutions are using graduation gowns made from biodegradable wood pulp. In related news, Hartwick College's (NY) Commencement Committee also chose Oak Hall's graduation outfits for its 2011 graduation ceremony. The college’s Grassroots Environmental Club also asked the graduating class to sign the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibilities upon graduating. The pledge states: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work." The mission is to build a global community of responsible graduates improving society and the environment through the workplace.
Western Carolina U Students Donate Items to Goodwill
Western Carolina University’s (NC) Department of Residential Living recently partnered with Goodwill Industries to collect donations from students as they moved out of the residence halls in order to reduce the volume of reusable items entering the waste system. Goodwill provided bins in the residence halls for students to drop off items. Students have donated 7,812 pounds of items including clothing, fans, coffee makers, microwaves, televisions, shelving and cookware.
Colorado State U Installs Fully Automated Composting System
Colorado State University's Housing & Dining Services has invested in a fully-automated composting system called the Earth Flow. Pre- and post-consumer food waste from campus dining centers is composted in the enclosed, 30-yard capacity compost bin. The Earth Flow accepts 2,000 pounds of material per day and composting is completed in 15 days inside the bin. The compost is piled on-site to cure for at least three to four weeks before being used in landscaping projects on campus.
Ohio State U Has Zero Waste Plans for Football Stadium
The Ohio State University has announced plans to make its entire football stadium a Zero Waste Zone. The goal of the Zero Waste project is to achieve a 90 percent diversion rate of waste material such as food, paper products and plastics away from landfills. To help achieve this goal by the end of the 2012 season, the university will not place trash cans on the premises. The initiative is supported by the Department of Athletics and by a $50,000 grant from the President’s and Provost’s Council on Sustainability.
U California Santa Barbara Library Boosts Recycling Efforts
The University of California, Santa Barbara’s Davidson Library has provided 100 additional recycling bins to increase its trash diversion efforts and help students limit garbage waste. The campus plans to implement several recommendations from a waste audit of the facility by Green Project Consultants including posting recycling material guidelines near garbage receptacles and limiting organic and biodegradable materials that are sent directly to landfills. The university is also looking into developing a compost system for food-related materials, which make up 20 percent of the total waste.
U Tennessee Expands Composting Ground
The University of Tennessee has expanded its Make Orange Green campaign with the addition of a new composting program. The university had been composting only leaves and coffee grounds and as a result of recent construction, the composting site was relocated to a secluded spot. The new site will collect pre-consumer food waste including coffee grounds, vegetable scraps and fruit rinds. Meat and dairy products will be accepted once the program has collected enough wood chips and leaves.
U Wisconsin Oshkosh Unveils Dry Fermentation Anaerobic Digester
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has debuted its dry fermentation anaerobic digester. The renewable energy facility includes heat and power generators that will produce up to 5 percent of the campus’ electricity and heat. The dry bio-digester will resemble an indoor composting site with air filters and will require up to 8,000 tons of organic bio-waste per year. The project is a collaborative effort with funding received from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation, Wisconsin Focus on Energy and the federal government.
