Recycling, Composting, and Waste Reduction
Recycling is one of the greatest success stories at the University of Maryland. The campus recycling rate increased from 17 percent in 2003 to an impressive 50 percent in 2008. Still, we can all do more to boost that rate even higher. In 2008, an innovative recycling and composting program was piloted to reduce waste from home football games. The recycling of construction-related waste has increased for major projects.
Meanwhile, departments across campus are making strides to recycle more and take other steps to reduce environmental impacts. Programs and initiatives were implemented to raise awareness of recycling on campus among all students (and resident students, in particular), staff, faculty, and visitors of University facilities and events. Hundreds of recycling containers were installed across campus. Containers can now be found inside residence halls, classroom buildings, administrative buildings, and other facilities (such as the Stamp Student Union, Eppley Recreation Center, and all parking garages). Exterior containers were also installed near housing areas, high-use buildings, and open spaces.
In 2008, the University recycled a wide array of materials including paper, metal, wood, food, bottles and cans, yard waste, construction debris, electron equipment and a variety of “industrial wastes” such as motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, tires and fluorescent tubes, among other materials. This includes:
- 1,600 tons of paper
- 348 tons of comingled glass, cans and plastic bottles
- 700 tons of wood and yard waste
- 142 tons of electronic equipment
- 329 tons of construction and demolition debris
- 177 tons of compostable food waste
Football Games: "Feed the Turtle"
Recycling at special events was expanded to include football games in fall 2006 as a result of collaboration between the Department of Transportation Services (which has responsibility to clean parking lots after football games) and the Department of Facilities Management (which maintains campus grounds and facilities, and transports recyclables and solid waste). An average of two tons of recyclables were collected at each game.
New in 2008, the Department of Athletics, Facilities Management, and Dining Services, with the support of the Administration, collaborated to develop the "Feed the Turtle" pilot program to greatly expand recycling and institute food composting at all home football games during fall 2008. The goal of the program was to divert large quantities of solid waste from local landfills, improve the game experience in and around Byrd Stadium and to provide environmental outreach to our fans. The program included new custom-built containers made of recycled plastic to collect recyclables and food compost in the stadium, "valet recycling" and extensive solid waste collection in tailgate lots, and an event staff training plan. Over the course of 7 home games, the program resulted in the diversion of nearly 59 tons of solid waste from landfills, a recycling rate of 41%! The program was overwhelmingly supported by fans and was expanded to include home football and basketball games in 2009.
Recyclemania
Recyclemania is a ten-week recycling contest among colleges and universities nationwide which is sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The University, along with 200 other institutions, first participated in 2007 and again joined other campuses in 2008. Each week from the end of January through April, the University’s recycling rates for mixed paper, cardboard, bottles and cans, and pre-and post consumer food waste are calculated. The competition allowed the University to monitor its progress over time. In addition, the competition allowed institutions to compare themselves relative to other institutions. In 2008, UM generated the least amount of waste per person in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Composting
The composting of leaves and other yard wastes has long been a standing practice at UM. However, the campus has undertaken several initiatives to expand this effort by focusing on pre and post consumer food waste and food packaging. In 2007, Dining Services initiated the collection of food waste at the South Dining Hall and the Diner which was well received by students and staff. This effort grew to over 175 tons of food waste being diverted from landfills to compost.
In 2008, Dining Services eliminated the use of polystyrene take-out containers and replaced them with a new take-out container made of bagasse, an organic, compostable product made from sugarcane. While the new product was significantly more costly, Dining Services launched a campaign to encourage diners to "eat-in" using washable dinnerware which resulted in a 15% reduction in the number of take-out containers used. This helped to offset the increased cost while increasing our compostable waste. Dining Services continues to seek compostable packaging products to replace those that must be disposed in a landfill.
Management of Recycling and Solid Waste
Facilities Management has initiated a renewed commitment to recycling and composting by creating two new positions. The Coordinator, University Recycling and Solid waste Programs, has been filled and is responsible for the overall management and development of the recycling and waste management program on campus. The goal of this position is to take on new initiatives to make recycling easier on campus, educate our campus and surrounding community on how to recycle, and develop our recycling program to include more recyclable materials, so UM may steadily increase its campus recycling rates. To support the Coordinator, Facilities established and filled a new Manager of Solid Waste Operations position. This position has day-to-day responsibility for both Recycling and Solid Waste employees, their daily service and activities, and the fleet.
Terrapin Trader
Terrapin Trader is the University’s surplus redistribution operation that plays a major role in the reuse, redistribution, and recycling of used office furniture, lab equipment, and electronics. Through a variety of different programs, Terrapin Trader has been responsible for keeping a wide array of material from ending up in local landfills. Terrapin Trader, which is open to students, staff, faculty, and the general public, sells products, accepts bids on products, and also hosts auctions. In addition to their current clientele, Terrapin Trader hopes to reach out towards the other university systems, to have a more thorough surplus redistribution program.
Terrapin Trader also extends its redistribution efforts to local Prince Georges County schools. Each year, an elementary, middle, and high school, is selected to participate in the Adopt-a-School Program. Throughout the course of the school year, representatives of each school meet with Terrapin Trader staff to discuss needs identified by the schools and Terrapin Trader donates items from their surplus to the schools based upon those needs identified.
Electronics Recycling
Electronic equipment remains one of the fast growing types of waste in the nation. Computers, printers, copiers and a wide variety of other equipment are routinely replaced, but typically have hazardous materials in some of their components. As a result, it is important that this waste be properly managed. All electronic equipment at the University is considered surplus equipment and is collected by Terrapin Trader. Functional equipment may be sold to the general public and that which cannot be sold or does not work is sent to a qualified vendor where it is deconstructed into individual components which are recycled.
Move-In, Move-Out
Two times each year, a tremendous amount of waste in generated by the student residents. During Move-In, Residential Life and Residential Facilities work together to collect all the cardboard boxes discarded by students. In the few days of fall opening 2005, 11 tons of cardboard were collected and recycled. Move-Out presents a different problem. Students typically throw away sofas, chairs, desks, and anything else they either don’t want or can’t fit in their cars. For the past several years, students and Resident Life staff have implemented "Don't Waste, Donate!" and have arranged to have trucks from area charitable agencies collect and haul away whatever students don't want to take with them. In addition, "Terrapin Junktion", a community yard sale during Move-Out, provides an outlet for unwanted goods and benefits the surrounds College Park community by offering low prices for household goods.