2006 Report on Recycling at St. Lawrence University

A subcommittee of the SLU Conservation Council spent this past year conducting an audit of the SLU recycling program. The subcommittee, led by Brad Baldwin, included Michael Schuckers, Eric Williams-Bergen and Emily Rooney ‘08 and worked closely with staff from Facilities Operations, Residential Learning Communities, Dining Services and the Finance office. The subcommittee’s objective was to assess and report on the current state of the SLU recycling program and to make recommendations regarding potential improvements. The results of this effort are published below.

Summary of Findings

Members of the Conservation Council have found that, while the SLU recycling program is generally effective, significant improvements can be achieved by increasing the level of participation by the members of the SLU community.

From 2001 to 2005, SLU recycled approximately 21 to 26% of its total waste stream, saving disposal costs of about $28,000 annually (Recycling Data - access restricted to on campus). Had this recyclable material been disposed of as trash, it would have required an additional 1600 cubic yards of landfill space, roughly equivalent to our football field covered with a one foot layer of trash

Currently, custodians collect recyclables from our work and dorm spaces and send it to our sorting center at Facilities Operations. Collection is usually (but not always) done in a manner that keeps recyclables separate from material regarded as trash. At the sorting center a dedicated employee of Gibson & Sons ensures that most recyclable materials are separated from trash and stored in separate containers, which are periodically collected by area companies that convert recyclable goods into other products.

Recommendations to SLU faculty, staff and students

Increased participation by faculty, staff and students is the key to increasing our rate of recycling. Increasing the percentage of recycled materials will save SLU funds as well as landfill space. Students, administrators, faculty, and staff can all help in the following ways:

• Intentionally purchase and/or use products that can be recycled.
• Do not toss unsoiled paper or recyclable containers into the trash.
• Help custodians and the sorter by placing unsoiled paper and fully empty containers into campus recycling containers (they think this effort alone could increase our total recycling level to 30-40%).
• Recycle batteries, ink cartridges, and compact fluorescent light bulbs in appropriate receptacles located in trash rooms and at the bookstore
• If recycling containers are unavailable in your daily spaces, request these containers from your custodians or from Facilities
  Operations
• Take advantage of the Campus Reuse Initiative

Recommendations to Facilities Operations

• Investigate alternatives to the current two bin system as a way to increase the degree of materials separation.
• Increase education and awareness among custodial staff regarding recycling procedures.
• Work with University Communications and Residential Learning Communities on the development of educational materials (posters, brochures) to better inform faculty, students and staff of the proper procedures for contributing material to the recycling program.

Recommendations to Residential Learning Communities

• Increase the level of recycling education for incoming students and raise the profile of the program for current students.
• Consider implementing a training program for residence hall staff regarding policies and procedures pertaining to the recycling program.

Recommendations to Dining and Conference Services

• Investigate the purchase of disposable ware (i.e. plates, cups,cutlery) with recycled-content for use at the Northstar Pub and Time Out Cafe and also for University events that are catered.

General Recommendations

• The University should renew its commitment regarding the purchase of paper with a significant percentage of post-consumer waste and that uses non-chlorine bleach processes.