UC Berkeley Installs Hydration Stations to Reduce Bottle Purchases
The University of California, Berkeley has installed two water-dispensing devices where people can fill up bottles twice as fast as a standard drinking fountain allows. The "hydration stations," which are part of the Recreational Sports Facility's Play Green initiative to diminish its environmental impact, aim to encourage the campus community to switch to reusable water bottles.
U Winnipeg Bans Sale of Bottled Water on Campus
The University of Winnipeg (MB) has begun to phase in a ban on the sale of bottled water on campus. Students will also be encouraged to refrain from bringing retail, disposable bottles on campus and to switch instead to reusable bottles. To encourage this practice, the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association will partner with Uwinnipeg to provide all first year, incoming students with reusable bottles for free as part of their orientation package.
U New Mexico Valencia Starts Several Green Initiatives
The University of New Mexico, Valencia has replaced an old watering system with efficient drip-irrigation. In addition, the campus is switching to green cleaning products and training the cleaning staff to use the new products. A recycling program has also been started on campus. The new system allows for paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans to be recycled. Collection bins are strategically placed in all campus buildings, including in every university office.
Georgia Tech Begins Cell Phone and Battery Recycling
The Georgia Institute of Technology has begun a recycling program for cell phones and batteries on campus. The program, coordinated by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, allows the campus community to recycle AA, C, 9-volt batteries, rechargeable batteries, and cell phones at five appointed battery and cell phone recycling sites.
Governors State U Extends Recycling to Community
Governors State University (IL) has extended an invitation to surrounding communities to participate in the campus' paper recycling system. With the placement of two large collection containers on campus, GSU is asking people to bring their recyclable paper products for deposit. The University made the offer because some local communities do not have curb side recycling.
Northern Arizona U Initiates Office Supply Exchange
The Northern Arizona University Office of Sustainability has initiated an office supply exchange with the goal of reducing the amount of office supplies purchased. Building occupants can bring the office supplies that they are not using for a free exchange and take what they can put to use. The idea is based on "freecycling," a growing trend that promotes the exchange of items already in existence to extend their usefulness and keep them out of landfills.
Missouri Western U Begins Recycling Paper
Missouri Western University has begun recycling paper on campus. The campus maintenance crew takes care of the 96-gallon containers located behind all of the buildings on campus, except for residence halls. Members of the campus community can place any form of paper in the recycle containers, as long as it isn’t cardboard.
U Calgary Starts Waste Reduction Campaign & Composting Prgm
The University of Calgary (AB) has begun the Erase the Waste challenge. As part of the program, students and staff are being encouraged to reduce their waste by 200 grams per week. The University estimates that if each person on campus reduces his/her garbage by that much, six tons of waste will be prevented from going to the landfill each week. To achieve the reduction, the University has launched its first campus-wide composting program. 17 new multi-purpose collection bins have been placed throughout campus. In addition, 200 new recycling bins for beverage containers and paper have been added to the campus. Throughout the campaign, the Office of Sustainability is also offering free workshops for staff and faculty on sustainable procurement, recycling, and ways to reduce waste in the office.
Northern Arizona U Begins Composting Program
Northern Arizona University's Students for Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening, the Center for Sustainable Environments, and Sodexho's Environmental Action Program have partnered to introduce composting in NAU dining halls. The compost is collected and transferred to the garden located on campus.
Ohio U Implements Composting Program
Ohio University has implemented a new composting initiative on campus. OU purchased a 2 ton in-vessel composting system that can handle up to 28 tons of material to compost food from its Central Foods Facility. The University plans to expand its collection to all campus eateries soon. The resulting nutrient-rich soil will be used for grounds keeping once it is available.
U Washington Students Produce Video on Campus Composting
A group of University of Washington students have created a video that aims to educate students about the process of composting. The video, which is in the form of a musical, discusses the importance and availability of composting on campus.
Whitman College Implements Pay-Per-Page Printing System
Whitman College (WA) has implemented a new printing system that automatically deducts a set amount per printed page from a printing account. As part of the program, $60 in printing credits is granted to each student each semester. Single-sided black-and-white printing costs five cents per page, and printing double-sided costs nine cents front and back. The College experienced a 30 percent drop in printing during the first 10 days of the program.
Wilkes U Caps Student Paper Usage with Printing Policy
Wilkes University (PA) has capped the amount of paper students use each semester through its new GreenPrint Policy. Each semester, students are allotted a print quota of 550 pages. Overages result in a $0.10 per page charge which is placed on the student’s account. Since the initiatives beginning, the University reports that students have reduced their paper usage by half.
Arizona State U Composts Landscaping Waste
Arizona State University has begun composting its landscaping waste at a nearby farm. Once the waste has fully decomposed, the farm returns it to ASU to be used in the campus' landscaping and organic gardens. The new program, which began in July of 2007, has saved the University about $20,000 in dumping fees.
U Oregon Extends Composting Program
The University of Oregon has approved an increase in the campus recycling budget that will fund the continuation of its composting program, which began in the spring of 2008 and collects up to one ton of recycling each month. When the program began, it was given funding for one year and would not have continued without additional funding.
MIT Switches to Co-mingled Recycling
The Department of Facilities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has adopted a co-mingled recycling system. After a successful pilot program in one building in August, MIT decided to expand it to the entire campus, including student dormitories.
Northwest Missouri State U Replaces Traditional Textbooks with E-Texts
Northwest Missouri State University has implemented a pilot program to replace traditional text books with e-texts. Twelve academic departments participated in the program last semester, and this semester, the program has been expanded to include approximately 500 students. An additional 3,000 students have the option to use either version if they are enrolled in a course using an e-text. Most pilot participants are accessing e-texts via laptop computers that are provided to all full-time Northwest students. A smaller group will be using an upgraded version of the Sony eReader, an earlier model of which was part of the fall 2008 e-text trial.
Dalhousie U Launches Electronics Recycling Program
Dalhousie University (NS) has launched a new electronics recycling program, dubbed, "e-recycling." Dalhousie departments can arrange for pick-up of electronic products— such as old or broken desktop computers, monitors, laptops, printers, and televisions— that no longer have reuse potential. The service is offered free of charge and is activated by filling out an online form. Once the material is collected, Information Technology Services erases the memory to ensure privacy. Then, the old and out-of-date materials are transported to a depot where metals, glass, and plastic are separated and recycled into new products.
Saint Augustine's College Wins Bin Grant, Begins Recycling Initiative
Saint Augustine's College (NC) has implemented a new recycling initiative on campus. The “Falcons Go Green” project seeks to reduce waste on campus, promote the recycling of materials, and maintain and promote a clean and environmentally conscious campus through a comprehensive education campaign. The initiative is the result of a grant awarded to Saint Augustine's by the National Recycling Coalition. The NRC's Bin Grant Program seeks to jump-start or expand recycling programs.
U Colorado Boulder Campaign Collects 40 Tons of Recycling
The University of Colorado at Boulder's "Ralphie's Green Stampede," a home football game recycling campaign, resulted in 40 tons of recyclable and compostable materials in 2008 season. More than 800 people in 11 organizational units helped to cut waste by 30 percent during the six home games. During the last 4 games of the season, over 80 percent of the stadium's waste was composted or recycled. Additionally, 300 gallons of used vegetable oil was converted into biodiesel by the University.
Drexel U Increases Campus Recycling
Drexel University (PA) has completed its 2008 Recycling Report. The report found that DU increased its recycling from 21.08 percent to 29.88 percent between 2007 and 2008. The University has attributed the increase to the purchase of new bins that were placed in multiple locations throughout the main campus.
Rice University Completes Recycling Competition
Rice University (TX) has completed its November-only inter-college recycling competition. Sid Richardson College came in first place with 54 pounds of collected material, more than twice the amount of runner-up Wiess College. Campus recycling increased by 52 percent during the competition, which was created by a group of students in a course entitled, Environmental Issues: Rice in the Future.
15 Ohio Campuses Receive Recycling Grants
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has announced a total of $390,235 in grants to 15 public colleges and universities across the state to expand recycling and waste reduction efforts on their campuses. The grants range from $5,833 to $50,000, depending on the type of project funded and the grant amount requested. Institutions receiving grants will expand existing recycling programs, as well as initiate new ones. Many of the programs are innovative and virtually all involve increased education and awareness of the need for material conservation and waste reduction. Awards were given to the Central Ohio Technical College, Columbus State Community College, Jefferson Community College, Kent State University Campus – East Liverpool, Kent State University – Tuscarawas, Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State University (main campus), Bowling Green State University, Northwest State Community College, the University of Toledo, Shawnee State University, Central State University, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Miami University, and Sinclair Community College.
College of William & Mary to Expand Outdoor Recycling
The College of William and Mary (VA) Student Senate has passed the Outdoor Recycling Containers Act which will place 13 new recycling receptacles on campus. The student environmental group SEAC and the service fraternity APO will empty the receptacles, just as they currently empty the ones located in academic buildings. The new receptacles would be placed around the Sunken Gardens, the UC terrace, the Campus Center, and the Undergraduate Admissions office.
Columbia College Receives Recycling Grant
Columbia College has received $35,000 from the California Department of Conservation's 2008-09 Beverage Container Recycling Grant. Columbia College's grant will be used for purchasing campus recycling stations, consumer education, and funding of a part-time student worker to assist in coordination.
Washington U Phases out Bottled Water
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) has begun phasing out all bottled water sales on campus. The University's beverage dispenser, Coco-Cola Co., has agreed to stop selling bottled water in most campus locations by the end of the fall semester. The company will eliminate bottled water sales in all remaining locations by the end of the spring semester.
Baylor U to Recycle at Homecoming Game
Baylor University (TX) has announced plans to recycle at its homecoming football game this year. Recycling will also be available at the post-parade float breakdown area and at catered events. Volunteers will director recyclers to the correct bin.
College of Southern Idaho Launches Composting Program
The College of Southern Idaho has launched a composting program on campus. Food waste from the campus dining hall is placed in a horticultural worm bin and once processed, is moved to CSI's compost pile located on its 38 acre farm. The compost is then used in the campus' community garden. The program is the result of a partnership between CSI and its food service provider.
Dalhousie U Expands Recycling Program
Dalhousie University (NS) has announced that it is adding another recycling stream to its existing campus program. As of October 2008, electronic products are collected, wiped of data, and transported to an approved provincial recycling depot. Materials from the depot are transferred to a plant where metals, glass, and plastic are recycled into new products. The new program includes exhausted desktop computers, computer periphery, computer components, laptop computers, monitors, desktop printers, and televisions.
Vanderbilt to Offer Recycling at Last 3 Football Games
Vanderbilt University (TN) has announced plans to offer recycling at the school's last three home football games. Recycling receptacles will be available in tailgating areas, around the Vandyville area, and in the stadium. Fans will be able to recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and vendors will be able to recycle cardboard.
Rowan U Moves to Single-Stream Recycling, Receives Award
Rowan University has switched to single-stream recycling. In addition, the University has received recognition from the state Department of Environmental Protection for being New Jersey's first higher education institution to switch to the single-stream recycling.
Whitman College Debate Team Goes Paperless
The Whitman College (WA) Debate Team has stopped using paper to prepare for and attend debates. The team made the decision was motivated by the desire to reduce paper use, printing costs, and the airline industry’s implementation of higher fees for luggage.
U Texas to Offer Free Electronic Textbooks
The University of Texas has announced plans to offer free electronic textbooks as a pilot project during the Spring 2009 semester. The e-book initiative will provide electronic copies of textbooks, which UT will pay for, for students in chemistry, biochemistry, marketing and accounting classes. Initially, students in those classes will use the e-books for free. If the program is successful, students would pay $25 to $40 a book in licensing fees.
Cal Poly Starts Composting Program
The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has started a composting program on campus. The new program combines uncooked leftovers from the Campus Dining hall and plant clippings from the campus farm to produce compost. The program, which started in the spring through a county grant, uses an estimated 10 percent of the food waste produced on campus.
Trinity College Launches BYOB Initiative
Trinity College (CT) has launched its Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) initiative. The program, which is funded by a donation from the Student Government Association, purchases brightly colored aluminum bottles for students to use in dining halls on campus. The purpose of the program, which was started by a student on campus, aims to challenge students to think about the waste created by using plastic water bottles.
Barry U Launches Single-Stream Recycling
Barry University (FL) has introduced single-stream recycling on campus. The new program will make it easier for Barry students, faculty, and staff to recycle by placing all their recyclable items – paper, plastic, aluminum – in a single container for collection and processing.
SHU Moves to Single-Stream Recycling, Distributes Reusable Mugs
Seton Hill University (PA) has moved to a single-stream recycling system on its campus. The new system allows faculty, staff, and students to recycle cardboard, paper, plastics numbered one and two, aluminum, and bi-metal cans all in the same bins. SHU also gave away free reusable mugs to students who signed the Green Commitment, a document that lists ten things students can do to reduce waste. The University allows the "Drink to the Earth" mug to be used in campus dining halls to reduce the use of Styro
U Nebraska Omaha Expands Recycling Program
The University of Nebraska at Omaha has launched a new recycling program on campus. The new programs will use a single-stream system to recycle paper products, cardboard, water bottles, pop cans, and other various types of plastic and metal containers.
Appalachian State U Begins Tailgate Recycling Initiative
Appalachian State University (NC) has begun a new initiative to recycle at every home football game. The Recycling at the Rock initiative will provide tailgaters with green bags to use for recycling and black bags to use for trash. ASU expects to save $60 per ton of recyclables that are recycled.
Brigham Young U Announces Several Green Initiatives
Brigham Young University (UT) has begun a program to recycle plastics. Receptacles have been placed throughout campus. BYU has also announced that the Blue Line Deli, which will open this fall, will use biodegradable plates, utensils, and napkins for all of its meals. The dinnerware will be composted in the campus' compost piles and eventually will be used for campus landscaping. In addition, Brigham Young has purchased all Energy Star-rated appliances for its new cafeteria.
Smith College Eliminates Disposable Cups, Distributes Reusable Cups
Smith College (MA) has distributed reusable metal water bottles to students this year after announcing that disposable cups will no longer be available in the dining halls. The College has also eliminated paper bags at a campus store and made reusable canvas bags available for purchase.
U Connecticut Reduces Plastic Bag Usage on Campus
The University of Connecticut has started the Co-op Cares Bag Program, which is intended to reduce the use of plastic bags and promote environmentalism. For each customer who declines a bag, the Co-op will donate 5 cents – the average cost of a plastic bag – toward one of four charities, including the UConn Foundation’s Green Campus Fund. Customers are given a wooden token to put in collection bins for the charity of their choice.
U Missouri Begins Composting Program
A University of Missouri graduate student has started a composting program that serves to reduce the amount of food waste by 2,000 pounds per week and fertilize two community gardens on campus. As part of the program, Adam Saunders, the student who starting the composting program, and his class of students and volunteers collect the food scraps twice per day from a campus dining hall and tote them on a bicycle trailer to a community garden where they are mixed with manure and, eventually, turned into compost. Saunders hopes to expand the program to include more dining halls in the future.
U Notre Dame Launches Game Day Recycling Season
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has launched 'Game Day Recycling,' a new program designed to make recycling easier for the ND tailgating crowd. As part of the program, students pass out recycling bag in each of the tailgating lots at every game; additional bags are made available at recycling stations placed on lampposts; and recycling bins are available across campus and in the stadium. Additionally, all recyclables go in the same bin. The new program was launched after a successful pilot program during last year's football season.
Concordia U, Ohio U Launch Large-scale Composting System
Concordia University (QC) has launched a large-scale composting system that collects organic waste and composts it on-site. Within 5 years, Concordia plans to be composting 100 tons of organic waste annually. The previous smaller composting systems operated at the university could only handle fruit and vegetable waste, but the new automated thermophilic system is designed to allow for the processing of dairy, meat, and grain products. Ohio University has installed an on-campus in-vessel composter, a unit that will receive up to 50 percent of its energy needs from a rooftop solar array. The University expects to divert up to a 25 percent of its solid waste from the landfill. This includes food waste, biodegradable packaging materials, landscaping waste, and other organic materials. The unit, which is designed to convert waste to soil in 14 days, is expected to be in full operation this fall.
Eastern U, U Delaware Move to Single Stream Recycling
Eastern University (PA) has signed an agreement with Allied Waste, a local recycling company, to offer single streamed recycling on campus. The new system will allow Eastern to accept paper, cardboard, plastics 1 through 7, paper egg cartons, and aluminum cans. The University has also started an effort to recycle used batteries on campus. Small blue recycling bins for batteries have been placed next to the single stream bins. The University of Delaware has also begun a sing-stream recycling project. The pilot program will allow Facilities to test single-stream before implementing a campus-wide launch, while simultaneously exploring ways to reduce costs and improve performance. Goals of the pilot project include raising the recycle diversion rate at single stream locations to 30 percent; improving faculty, student, staff, and visitor access to recycling receptacles; creating a simple, user-friendly system; and issuing and communicating clear recycling guidelines to the campus community.
U Georgia to Pilot Tailgater Recycling Program
The University of Georgia has announced plans to pilot a tailgator recycling program for this fall's football season. UGA has contracted American Stadium Services to circulate through North Campus tailgating areas to collect recyclables before kickoff and up until halftime. The company plans to recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, and paper. If the pilot program is successful, UGA might expand the program to include the rest of the tailgating area.
U Wisconsin Starts Recycling Program at Football Games
A University of Wisconsin student group dedicated to sustainability on campus, REthink Wisconsin, has partnered with UW athletics to start recycling at football games. The organizers hope that the initiative, "Wear red, think green, Badgers recycled," will recycle 30,000 plastic bottles.
