UB’s Trash Stream - What can we recycle and why are we throwing it out?
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
Student Internship Spring 1998
WRITERS
Erin Cala, Meghan Fay, Jodi Freilich, Robert Horvath, Robert Nash, Randi Mail
EDITOR
Randi Mail
Advisors
Rachel Martin, Walter Simpson
We would like to acknowledge and thank Bill Bagley, Dave Ballard, Ellen Goldbaum, and Chuck Scibetta for their support and efforts that made our projects possible. We would also like to thank Walter Simpson for his guidance and patience throughout the entire Spring semester ’98.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary of Report Recommendations
2. Introduction
3. SUNY at Buffalo Environmental Policies
4. Trash Stream Analysis
5. Mini-Trash Stream Analyses of Representative Buildings:
6. Visual Estimations of Building Dumpster
APPENDIX
Pictures of Capen Mini-Trash Stream Analysis
UB Campus Trash Audit: Risks and Rules
Waiver of Liability
Articles about Dumpster Dive
Dumpster Dive Invitation
Article about Recycling Kiosk
Visual Estimation Data
Executive Summary of Report Recommendations
OVERALL
Realize the potential of existing SUNY Buffalo Environmental Policies and fully implement them.
Hire a full time recycling coordinator who will complement the work of Bill Bagley and coordinate campus outreach programs, ongoing waste audits, and visual estimations of building dumpster contents.
Gather the resources and support needed to get recycling kiosks mass produced and placed around both campuses.
Develop an educational and awareness campaign to incorporate the recycling kiosks into the lives of all students, faculty, and staff.
ACADEMIC AREAS
Create a campus newspaper recycling program.
Educate custodial staff to keep recycling and trash streams separate.
Create and implement a ban on commercial postings.
Work with student associations to minimize amount of flyers posted.
Replace paper stock in libraries, computer labs, and offices with 100% recycled fiber, unbleached paper. (e.g. Hammerhill Unity DP paper)
Continue to actively encourage office personnel to recycle, use double-sided function on copiers, reuse the blank side of scrap paper.
RESIDENCE HALLS
Equip all Residence Hall rooms with recycling bins.
Develop a written Residence Hall Recycling Policy that is committed to the university’s campus-wide recycling policy and aims to increase reduction, reuse, and recycling and thereby reduces the amount of waste landfilled. Include target dates and quantities.
Hire a Residence Life recycling/energy conservation coordinator.
Incorporate the collection of recyclable materials into the duties of Residence Halls custodial staff rather than student volunteers.
Adopt a set of environmental principles, eg. "Code of Conservation", for all students and staff who live in the Residence Halls.
FOOD SERVICES
Equip all cafeteria kitchens/food service areas with recycling centers.
Explore alternative food containers made from recycled materials.
Replace styrofoam plates with depositable ceramic plates and plastic trays, so that these items are not stolen, while demonstrating an environmental commitment.
Implement a program to give every student a reusable mug and make the widespread use of these mugs a regular part of campus life.
Make purchase of reusable mugs available at all food service areas.
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INTRODUCTION
According to the New York State Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, all state agencies must recycle at least 50% of their solid waste stream. UB has not yet achieved this goal. University offices are thought to be recycling about 30% of their solid waste stream while Residence Hall recycling may be somewhat less than that. Without even seeing recycling figures, or hearing about this Act, we as students know that there is not enough recycling on campus by just walking around. Because of this common concern, we got involved in an internship with Walter Simpson which would evaluate and develop programs in the areas of campus recycling, energy conservation and awareness of both issues.
Three methods were used to analyze and evaluate UB’s solid waste stream and campus recycling:
Mini-trash analyses of representative buildings
Visual estimations of building dumpster contents
Giant campus-wide "Dumpster Dive"
Details on all of these methods are explained below.
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SUNY at BUFFALO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
During the 1990’s, UB’s Environmental Task Force drafted policies to further environmental stewardship within the university community. By reading through the SUNY Buffalo Environmental Policy booklet, we concluded that, while good policies, they are largely ineffective as they have not been fully implemented. Policies which are relevant to problems we have encountered are the "Environmentally Sound Products Procurement Policy", "Campus Newspaper Policy", "Campus Mail Policy", "Senior Officers Conservation Policies and Procedures", and the "Recycling Policy".
Incorporated into the Environmentally Sound Products Procurement Policy is the idea of durable, as opposed to single use or disposable items. Products that are made of recycled materials that maximize post-consumer content should be favored. By purchasing products which are made from such materials and recycling what we use on campus, the loop will close itself. Lastly, this policy mentions that materials should be shipped with minimal packaging, preferably made of recycled and/or recyclable materials.
The Campus Newspaper Policy has a lot of potential but has not been effectively implemented. It clearly states that excess copies of campus newspapers, such as the Spectrum, Generation, and Reporter, add to the landfill problem and increase the University’s solid waste disposal costs. Another aspect of this policy is that newspapers should be monitored at all sites. By monitoring distribution, the amount of overproduction could be determined and minimized. In addition to reducing the number of papers printed, the policy calls for maximizing the use of each newspaper by promoting an ethic of paper sharing. According to the policy, the University community must cooperate with University Facilities to develop a campus newspaper recycling program.
Regarding inter-office communication, the Campus Mail Policy states that offices are to consistently use reusable campus mail envelopes or use electronic mail. The only exception for using sealable envelopes would be in cases of confidentiality.
The Senior Officers Conservation Policies and Procedures apply to the offices of the University President and Vice Presidents. 100% recycled and non-bleached paper should be used for all draft and campus distributed documents. In all cases, paper that can be recycled should be recycled and double-sided copying and printing is favored . We include the policy here to emphasize the importance of these practices and that Senior Officers set the right example.
UB’s Recycling Policy needs no improvement, the only problem is that it needs to be implemented and enforced to achieve the University’s objectives which include a 50% recycling rate. It is important that we cite it in its entirety simply because if it was enforced and implemented to the fullest extent, many of the problems we identify in this report would be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.
It is important to point out that some these policies were adopted within the UB community as early as January 12, 1993, yet it is 1998, and the room for improvement is quite prevalent.
The "Recycling Policy" follow with our comments (in capital letters).
"The University seeks to maximize the recycling of waste materials. Our initial objective is to achieve a minimum level of 50% recycling of our solid waste stream.
To accomplish our recycling objective, the following steps will be taken:
University Facilities, with support and guidance from the University’s Environmental Task Force, will develop guidelines and mechanisms for campus recycling.
Faculty and staff in all offices and departments will participate in the recycling effort by the following instructions regarding the separation of recyclable and non-recyclable materials and by placing recyclable materials in appropriately marked recycling containers. Resident and commuter students are expected to participate in campus recycling efforts. (THE INSTRUCTIONS OFFERED TO FACULTY AND STAFF ARE DETAILED AND PRECISE, MEANWHILE, RESIDENT AND COMMUTER STUDENTS ARE INADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. RECYCLING CONTAINERS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE OR CONVENIENT ON CAMPUS OR IN RESIDENCE HALLS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE STUDENT POPULATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECYCLING EFFORT.)
University Facilities will monitor progress on recycling with assistance from the Environmental Task Force’s Building Conservation Contacts (BCC) Network. Lack of participation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. (SINCE PROBLEMS REGARDING RECYCLING ON CAMPUS CAN BE READILY IDENTIFIED, IT APPEARS THAT MONITORING AND CASE-BY-CASE ATTTENTION IS LACKING.)
Members of the University community are expected to work together to optimize the recycling process consistent with work productivity. 100% involvement is expected. (100% INVOLVEMENT IS JUST NOT HAPPENING.)
In order to "close the loop", all University offices are strongly encouraged to purchase and maximize the use of products made of recycled materials, especially recycled paper, preferably made with minimum chlorine bleaching and with high post-consumer waste paper content. (UNFORTUNATELY, DEPARTMENTS SHY AWAY FROM UNITY RECYCLED PAPER BECAUSE IT IS NOT WHITE AND BECAUSE OF THE MISTAKEN BELIEF IT IS NOT COPY MACHINE FRIENDLY. THESE BARRIERS NEED TO BE OVERCOME.)
Recognizing that waste reduction is preferable to recycling, all University offices and departments are also strongly encouraged to utilize waste reduction techniques including the use of double-sided copying and electronic mail. Many paper-saving techniques are appropriate to University office activities and should be employed as a matter of daily routine." (WHILE MANY OFFICES DO EMPLOY THESE TECHNIQUES, ELECTRONIC MAIL AND DOUBLE-SIDED COPYING CONTINUE TO BE UNDERUTILIZED)
Implementation of UB’s excellent environmental policies is clearly a problem. By actually implementing these policies, the University could make real progress thereby reducing its impact on the natural environment while reducing costs.
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TRASH STREAM ANALYSIS
As previously stated, we as students know that there is not enough recycling on campus. To quantify and demonstrate our perception, we decided to conduct a waste stream analysis, using three methods, ie. Mini-trash stream analyses, visual estimations of building dumpster contents, and a giant campus-wide "Dumpster Dive".
Mini-Trash Stream Analyses of Representative Buildings
We chose the following buildings for mini-trash stream analyses:
Capen (Office/classroom)
Goodyear(cafeteria)
Wilkeson (Residence Halls)
In conjunction with Bill Bagley, a University Facilities supervisor and UB’s recycling coordinator, we conducted waste stream analyses in full safety gear - full body protective suits, latex gloves, protective canvas gloves, and surgical masks. The areas were covered with a plastic tarp to prevent leakage so it would remain clean after sorting.
In Capen, the trash was contained in four rounded 1 yard dumpsters in an entire garbage room with dimension of about 9’ x 12’. At Goodyear Food Services, there was approximately one push dumpster full of trash. In Wilkeson, there were three rounded push dumpsters full of garbage.
For all of the mini-trash stream analyses, the trash was separated into six categories which included: recyclable paper, recyclable cardboard, recyclable co-mingles (plastic, glass, and metals), Coca-Cola paper cups, polystyrene cups (from now on referred to as styrofoam), and styrofoam plates, containers, and bowls. We collected styrofoam items and Coca-cola cups to confirm our predictions concerning the unenvironmental habits on campus. (See Appendix A for pictures)
Each trash analysis summary is accompanied by a "Quantitative Results" and "Recommendations" section. It is extremely important to recognize that many of the recommendations offered in this report were offered three years ago in the student report entitled, "University Environmental Audit" (1995). The time has come to welcome and implement recommendations that simply make sense. This University has the potential to correct all problem areas in order to become an outstanding environmentally responsible and environmentally literate institution, and thus serve as a role model for the entire community of Buffalo as well as colleges and universities around the country.
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Capen Mini-Trash Stream Analysis
Quantitative Results of Capen Trash-Stream Analysis
330 lbs. Recyclable paper and cardboard
90 lbs. Recyclable bottles and cans (co-mingles)
50 lbs. paper and styrofoam cups (600 Coca-cola cups and 252 styrofoam cups)
230 lbs. Non-recyclable trash
700 lbs. Total weight (2/3 of trash was recyclable or avoidable)
In Capen, we discovered piles of computer printouts and coversheets, mounds of Spectrums and Reporters, flyers and advertisements, and office mail. In accordance with the Campus Newspaper Policy, if distribution monitoring was in effect, we would not have found piles upon piles of unused campus newspapers. Random newspapers would have been recycled if a campus newspaper recycling program existed.
Walter Simpson is heading a program in which recycling kiosks would be conveniently located around campus allowing everyone to recycle campus newspapers among other recyclable items. If these kiosks were there and trash can availability was reduced, the UB community could work together to optimize its recycling potential. A great feature that the kiosks offer is one-stop convenience, enabling an individual to recycle paper, cardboard, and co-mingles along with disposing of trash. Because recycling kiosks provide these friendly options, we would like to see a point where trash cans are fewer in number. For example, in areas such as the first floor in Baldy Hall, trash cans are placed every three feet, which is excessive.
As the custodial staff is considered to be a part of the UB community, we expect them to comply with recycling regulations as well. Upon finding an abundance of flyers, advertisements, and unused campus newspapers in the trash, we assumed they were cleared away by janitors. Therefore, the custodial staff ought to be instructed as to what exactly gets thrown in the trash and what gets diverted to the recycling stream.
We are aware that each office is equipped with a recycling bin along with a "trash buddy". Office mail, therefore, should never be introduced to the waste stream, and yet we found plenty of it. The root of this problem lies either with the custodial staff dumping recyclables into the trash and/or the lack of participation of office personnel.
Another aspect of paper waste arises when we see an extremely large amount of fax/computer coversheets and computer printouts. To avoid fax coversheets, post-it fax note stickers should be used. Computer coversheets are obviously unnecessary in a situation where there are computer lab monitors who can separate the computer printouts.
For unavoidable computer/fax coversheets and scrap paper, there are numerous alternative reuses for the unused side of these pages such as:
draft printing
faxes (there is no reason why faxes could not be printed on scrap paper)
handouts in lectures
order slips at Food Service eateries
phone message paper
Many bulk candy cardboard boxes presumably from the Candy Counter were also found in our survey at Capen. This problem has obvious corrections. Campus businesses need to be instructed in and required to comply with the University’s recycling programs and policy.
Cups!!! One of the most shocking discoveries of our Capen dumpster dive was the exorbitant number of Coca-Cola paper cups and styrofoam cups that were thrown away. Bags and bags, pounds upon pounds could have been saved, had people used reusable mugs. The astonishingly large number of cups found was from merely one day, in just one building, on just one campus:
600 Coca-Cola Cups!
252 Styrofoam Cups!
We have been promoting the use of reusable mugs through word of mouth and by designing a banner that was and will be displayed in the Student Union during the academic year. By using a refillable mug, a discount is received at all food areas, while being environmentally responsible. We feel that Food Services should do more to promote reusable mugs. The incentive for Food Services is monetary. A great example is Harvard University. When Harvard made a shift from disposable beverage containers to washable plastic cups, they saved $200,000 in one year, cutting their use of five million disposable cups a year to fewer than 500,000. (Julian Keniry, Ecodemia - Campus Environmental Stewardship at the Turn of the 21st Century, page 103)
We understand that the use of styrofoam containers will never be completely avoidable, therefore a wise recommendation would be to find an alternative container made from recycled materials and/or one that is recyclable.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Enforce Campus Newspaper Policy
Support efforts to introduce Recycling Kiosks on campus.
Educate custodial staff to keep recycling and trash streams separate.
Continue to actively encourage recycling among office personnel.
Replace old copiers with double-sided copiers to reduce paper use and educate office workers to use double-sided copying feature.
Work with student associations to minimize the number of flyers posted.
Eliminate the need for computer/fax cover-sheets.
Reuse abandoned computer printouts and all scrap paper.
Replace current paper stock in computer labs/libraries with 100% recycled fiber, unbleached paper, eg. Hammermill Unity DP paper.
Create and implement a ban on commercial postings.
Develop a printing limit in labs/libraries or charge for excessive printing.
Make purchase of reusable mugs available at all food service areas on campus.
Implement a program to give every student a reusable mug and make the widespread use of these mugs a regular part of campus life.
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Goodyear Cafeteria Mini-Trash Stream Analysis
Quantitative Results for Goodyear Cafeteria
20 Number Ten recyclable tin cans
Four 5 gallon recyclable cooking oil containers
175 lbs. of non-recyclable trash (food waste included)
In the Goodyear survey, the majority of the waste stream was food, yet we also found bulk containers, both plastic and metal. Items such as cooking oil and food containers can be recycled or reused.
We recommend that all kitchens have recycling bins available for
kitchen staff to utilize. Food services such as Bert’s, The Student Club, Putnam’s, The Spot, The Cellar, and Harriman, which sell beverages, should also be held responsible to have recycling bins available surrounding their place of business.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Equip all cafeteria kitchens and food service areas with recycling centers.
Make sure trash vendor will accept all recyclable materials.
Consider composting all campus food waste.
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Wilkeson Mini-Trash Stream Analysis
In Wilkeson, problem areas were paper, cardboard food packaging, bottles, cans, and numerous containers from the Club. We feel that the best way to improve recycling in the dorms is to create a recycling program which is not entirely dependent on student volunteers. Also, it is crucial that resident advisors play a major role as environmental educators, promoting recycling with their residents. If our goal is to reach the 50% recycling diversion rate, then the tools must be there to reach it. This must be a combined effort between staff and students. Recycling and energy conservation must be a clear expectation by the Vice President of Student Affairs, Residence Life, and Resident Advisors.
For example, cleaners must be responsible for taking on the tasks that student volunteers currently have. Just as cleaners collect recyclables in academic buildings, as well as trash, so should be the case in residence halls. It should be responsibility of students to place their recyclables in the bins provided, but it should not be their responsibility to bring the recyclables out to the larger bins.
Students need to be guided through different programs which motivate them to recycle. Such programs should include introducing recycling policies at orientations in addition to continuous programs throughout the semester reminding and motivating students to participate. In the Guide to Residence Hall Living, UB’s recycling policy is not mentioned. It would be advantageous to include the full text of the policy. It would also be desirable for Residence Life to adopt and reproduce in the Guide to Residence Hall Living, a "Code of Conservation" .
The proposed Code of Conservation expects all students and staff residing and/or working in UB Residence Halls to:
Recycle all recyclable paper (newspaper, office, looseleaf, etc.), cardboard, glass, plastic containers, and tin/soda cans.
Always conserve energy when possible by:
shutting off unneeded room, office, bathroom, and lounge lights
turning off computers, stereos, TV’s, and other appliances when not in use
where possible, controlling room heat properly instead of opening windows
enabling power management feature on computers
obeying Residence Life rules banning halogen torchiere lights
minimizing size and # of refrigerators
Conserve water and report leaking water faucets and showers.
Demonstrate environmental awareness in daily routines.
Remind and encourage others to recycle and conserve energy.
Report recycling and energy problems to Residence Life.
While conducting surveys in the Residence Halls, we found that accessibility of recycling bins is the primary reason why people are not recycling. For example, on South Campus, Clement and Goodyear Halls only have recycling bins on the first floor while the building itself is ten stories. Yet in Governors, each floor has a designated garbage room with recycling bins, and in Ellicott each lounge has recycling bins. Recycling bins need to be easily available to all residents, minimally on each floor and in each lounge. Preferably, Residence Life could follow the example of academic offices and put a recycling container in each dorm room. This way, we can strive towards the 50% diversion rate mandated for the UB community.
It was obvious that much of Wilkeson’s trash comes from The Student Club, including non-recyclable cardboard trays, styrofoam plates, cups, take-out containers, paper cups, and a lot of napkins. Alternatives to cardboard trays (since they are not recyclable after being contaminated with food) are plastic reusable trays. Alternatives to styrofoam plates and cups are containers made from recycled materials. Another possible solution is deposits on ceramic plates and trays. This would significantly reduce waste. Deposits placed on plates and trays would assure that they are not stolen and would encourage people to take part in such a program. A $1.00 deposit is ideal. Reusable mugs should be available to purchase for immediate and future use.
Presently, Residence Hall recyclables are picked-up by Modern Disposal, which does not accept colored glass, plastics other than #’s 1 and 2, or wide-mouth plastic containers such as yogurt containers, and milk and juice cartons. In our survey of Wilkeson, we found a noticeable amount of such items that Modern does not accept. There are opportunities through other vendors to expand the list of recyclable materials.
No means are offered for correct disposal of batteries or nail polish, which are both considered to be toxic substances in a landfill. We recommend a Battery Drop-off Program where accessible drop off points are established on campus so that appropriate disposal is offered.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Equip all Residence Hall rooms with recycling bins, with a design that differs from a traditional waste basket, so that it is not used for trash.
Make recycling and energy conservation clear expectations of Residence Life and communicate these expectations widely through orientation, RA Training Weekend, floor meetings and other programs, and the Housing Agreement Terms in the Guide to Residence Hall Living.
Develop a written Residence Life Recycling Policy that is committed to the University’s campus-wide recycling policy and aims to increase reduction, reuse, and recycling and thereby reduces the amount of waste landfilled. Include target dates and quantities.
Incorporate the collection of recyclable materials into the duties of residence hall custodial staff rather than student volunteers.
Explore alternative food containers made from recycled materials at fast food centers on campus.
Replace styrofoam plates with depositable ceramic plates and plastic trays, so that these items are not stolen, yet demonstrate an environmental commitment.
Identify and select a new recycling vendor which will accept additional recyclables. (eg. colored glass, plastics other than #1 and #2, and wide-mouthed plastic containers)
Hire a full time Residence Life recycling and energy conservation coordinator.
Adopt a set of environmental principles, eg. "Code of Conservation", for students and staff who live in the Residence Halls.
(A more extensive look into recycling and energy conservation in the University Residence Halls is available in the companion report, "A Close Look at UB Residence Halls- the Recycling and Energy Conservation Situation".)
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Visual Estimations of Building
Dumpster Contents
In addition to the mini-trash stream analyses, we needed to get a good idea about each and every building and how it stood in comparison to the mandated 50% diversion rate. As detailed trash analyses in all buildings would not be practical, we used an alternative method of visual estimation or what we called "eyeballing". Eyeballing is a superficial survey where we visually analyze the contents of a dumpster by looking at it. This method does not involve opening bags, however we did flip and poke around. During the process, we talked ourselves through it by naming aloud recyclable items seen. After this, we estimated a reasonable percentage of recyclable materials in relation to the contents of the rest of the dumpster. Percentages were estimated in terms of volume (not weight). The categories into which we visually divided the dumpster are as follows: paper, cardboard, co-mingles (glass, plastic, and tin), styrofoam items (cups, containers, plates, and packaging), paper cups, and real (non-recyclable) trash.
We divided up both campuses into three routes, and assigned teams of two to visit and analyze each dumpster on their route. Dumpsters ranged in size according to cubic yards (6,8, or 10). Also, small and medium push cart dumpsters were encountered and surveyed. In most dumpsters there were clear plastic bags, but in others we encountered black bags, making eyeballing impossible.
The building eyeballing data are divided according to campus and are available in Appendix G of this report. Overall, this method of trash stream analysis suggests that nearly 40% of UB’s remaining trash stream is recyclable and/or avoidable. Thus achieving a 50% diversion rate should be possible - given appropriate efforts to separate and collect recyclables from the trash stream. While some buildings are better or worse than others, the room for improvement has been identified. It appears that recycling of all materials -paper, cardboard, and co-mingles- could be improved at all buildings. Also, the trash stream could be substantially reduced with increased encouragement of reusable mugs and a switch-over to reusable plates and trays at food service areas that do not offer these environmentally friendly alternatives.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Periodically conduct visual estimation surveys to measure progress and identify problem buildings.
Follow up with problem buildings to determine why recycling is not taking place and who or what is at fault.
Resolve problems.
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Giant Campus-Wide Dumpster Dive
Quantitative Results from Dumpster Dive
0.91 tons of recyclable paper and cardboard
0.54 tons recyclable co-mingles: glass, plastic and metal
2.94 tons trash
Recyclables equaled one third of trash stream sorted:
(.91 + .54)/(.91 + .54 + 2.94) = .33 or 33%
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Methods
Thursday April 16, 1998 was the day of our infamous dumpster dive. We had everything ready. Bill Bagley and Chuck Scibetta (University Facilities) arranged the pickup and delivery of the "garbage." The day before, Chuck picked up trash from: all South Campus' buildings (excluding Medical Buildings), North Campus academic buildings (excluding lab buildings), Alumni Arena, Governors, and Ellicott. The trash was delivered between Bell Hall and the Student Union.
We had 33 iron-willed volunteers who were greeted and given a "Risks and Rules for Participation" info sheet and a "Waiver of Liability" to read and sign (see Appendix B and Appendix C.) The waiver explained the nature of the activity, the proper way to sort through trash, and all potential risks and precautions they must follow. With the skies partly cloudy and the participants there bright and early, the dumpster dive started out promising. The rest of the day it poured, but the participants were not distracted by the rainy weather.
All volunteers were required to wear a zip-up Tyvek suit, which protected clothing and acted as a barrier to potential germs. Two pairs of gloves, latex and canvas, were also given to protect their hands while digging through the garbage. This was to ensure that people would not come into direct contact with the "garbage." Volunteers were advised to wear a respiratory mask and safety glasses (though these were not required). Medical staff from UB Health Services were on site in case of any emergencies. Luckily all went well and their services were not required.
Around 8:30 am, we began sorting trash. The trash area was fenced in and lined with a plastic tarp to prevent any leakage. 96 gallon blue bins were provided and placed strategically within the fenced-in area, being designated for paper, cardboard, and co-mingle (glass, plastic, and metal) materials. As the 95 gallon bins filled up, the co-mingles were transferred into a 10 yard dumpster, empty bins replaced full for paper, and cardboard was transferred into a medium-sized push-cart dumpster. True (non-recyclable) trash was placed in a 20-yard dumpster.
Through a bit of previous planning with Ellen Goldbaum, a writer for UB News Bureau who acted as our press contact, we even brought in quite a crowd of press. While everyone sorted the recyclables out of the "garbage", several news organizations arrived: Channel 2 News, Channel 7 News, The Buffalo News, The Reporter, The Spectrum, S.A. Video, and own video team. Also, WBFO had previously announced the event. These organizations took pictures, videotaped the scene, and conducted interviews with organizers and participants. We were happy to have received coverage, because this publicized recycling and shared with the community an important student initiative to improve recycling at UB. (For articles see Appendix D.)
Invitations were sent out (see Appendix E) to some campus leaders, most of whom did not stop by. Exceptions were: Barry Boyer, Dean of the Law School, Craig Harmon, Director of Food Services, Ellen Goldbaum of News Services, and Errol Mendinger, director of the new UB Environment and Society Institute. Dave Ballard of Student Life helped us plan the event and joined us for the whole day.
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Results
The weather definitely reeked havoc on our anticipated volunteer turn out. As a result, we were only able to sort about half of the truck load.
After the day was done and all of our clothes had been through the wash a few times we waited for the results. Bill Bagley informed us that we sorted through Ellicott, Governors, and part of Alumni’s trash.
Although 33% is still a lot of recyclables in the trash, we are convinced that the percentage would have been much higher if the academic areas were factored into the analysis. The academic areas, as we found in Capen Hall, generate a lot of paper from campus newspapers, photocopies, computer printouts, etc.
Recyclable drink bottles and cans were found in excess, which there is no need to throw away. Clearly, there is substantial room for improvement in recycling on campus.
While sorting through the trash at the Dumpster Dive, a few things caught our eyes that should not be in the trash in addition to from what we sorted for (co-mingles, paper, and cardboard). Certain items can be donated or disposed of properly.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Batteries - Certain areas on campus should be established as battery drop-off sites, which are accessible to everyone in the UB community. (Dining Halls, Student Union Lobby, Computer Labs, etc.)
Contact Cement and Latex Paint - Paint should be used, not thrown out. Contact cement ought to be disposed of properly by Residence Life and Facilities maintenance staff.
Clothes - Although there are clothing donation drives several times a year, it must be recognized that clothing is thrown out every single day. Prime locations for clothing drop off sites near Putnams or 150 SU, and at all Residence Hall Offices. Residents must be aware of this.
Toilet Paper - This might sound like a small gripe, but the amount of half used toilet paper rolls is astounding. Custodial staff needs new instruction to simply leave a new toilet paper roll on top of a half used one, rather than replacing one that is not yet finished.
Paper and Styrofoam Cups - As we witnessed in Capen, the amount of paper cups used everyday is enormous. Reusable mugs need to be available for purchase and immediate use at every food service center on campus. This has economic benefits as well as environmental.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Enforce all existing SUNY Buffalo Environmental Policies.
Hire a full-time recycling coordinator for campus recycling outreach and to complement the work of Bill Bagley and his dedicated recycling crew.
Build a cooperative recycling program where Residence Life, Food Services and Facilities all strive to achieve the 50% diversion rate.
Organize a well-defined, coordinated Recycling Awareness Program which everyone is attentive to.
Recycling Kiosks - With enough of these kiosks on campus and an educational campaign to promote them, there would be a great reduction of recyclable material in the trash stream. These kiosks will be most effective if students are encouraged to use them via campus media and recycling presentations at orientation and Residence Hall floor meetings. (See Appendix F for Spectrum article about the kiosk)
Conduct ongoing waste audits and visual estimations of building dumpster contents to specify areas on both campuses where recycling efforts are inadequate.
Develop a written Code of Environmental Stewardship within the University’s academic mission statement which reads, "all students, upon graduating, will possess the knowledge, skills, and values, to work toward an environmentally sustainable future." (Blueprint for a Green Campus: The Campus Earth Summit - Initiatives for Higher Education. January 1995, page 2)
Host an annual Green Olympics on campus in which the entire UB community participates to encourage and cultivate an environmentally mindful University community.
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