Solid Waste (Rubbish)
Recycling Bins
Accomplishments
The college has made significant progress in reducing our disposal of solid waste in the past few years. The total amount of solid waste the college generates on an annual basis has been estimated at 1,839 tons. Before the autumn of 2005, the college was only removing (recycling) an estimated 18 tons per year, or about 1% of the solid waste total. In 2006, the college removed (recycled) 180.5 tons (actual), around 10% of the waste stream. Direct removal of 115.47 tons from contracted waste removal services resulted in a credit to the college in the amount of $9,814. The credits were then used to support and expand the recycling program.
While total quantities as indicated below were slightly higher in 2007 than in 2006, it should be noted that campus wide recycled materials in the categories of paper, cardboard and commingled bottles and cans increased 18% within the past year. This resulted in a credit of almost $12,000 from our waste contractor. In addition, during the past year contaminated or unacceptable loads were reduced by over 50%.
Recycling
The college currently recycles paper, cardboard, metals,
wood and construction debris, appliances (including the proper removal
of refrigerants if required), mattresses, batteries, fluorescent lamps,
some automobile parts, computer and TV cathode ray tubes (CRTs),
carpets, and other items as opportunities allow.
| Recycled Materials, Calendar Year 2006 | |
| Material | Total Pounds |
| Mixed Office Paper - Loose | 158,780 |
| Light Iron Scrap Metal Mixed - Loose | 90,840 |
| Corrugated Cardboard - Loose | 30,480 |
| Corrugated Cardboard - Baled | 20,420 |
| Expanded Mix Paper and Corrugated - Loose | 16,060 |
| Clean Wood - Loose | 14,400 |
| COMMINGLED Metal, Glass & Plastic Drink/Food Containers - Loose | 9,920 |
| Trash and/or Rubbish Contaminants Found in Recyclables | 7,220 |
| White Goods - Appliances WITH FREON Requiring Removal, Loose | 6,100 |
| Product To Be Destroyed, Palletized | 2,980 |
| Corrugated Cardboard - Baled by Generator | 2,220 |
| Computer and TV Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's) - Loose | 1,440 |
| White Goods - Appliances - Loose | 75 |
| OTHER #7 - Mixed Biotech Lab Plastics - Loose | 40 |
| We recycled 360,975 pounds of material! | |
| Recycled Materials, Calendar Year 2007 | |
| Material | Total Pounds |
| Mixed Office Paper - Loose | 198,295 |
| Light Iron Scrap Metal Mixed - Loose | 68,340 |
| Corrugated Cardboard - Loose | 30,940 |
| COMMINGLED Metal, Glass & Plastic Drink/Food Containers - Loose | 20,340 |
| Expanded Mix Paper and Corrugated - Loose | 19,360 |
| Mixed Wood - Loose | 10,100 |
| Corrugated Cardboard - Baled | 9,080 |
| Trash and/or Rubbish Contaminants Found in Recyclables | 3,080 |
| 3 - Mattresses or Box springs - Twin - Stacked | 1,770 |
| White Goods - Appliances WITH FREON Requiring Removal, Loose | 1,180 |
| Mixed Computer and Electronics - Loose - To Be Crushed (does not include CRT's) | 900 |
| Household Cleanout Debris | 720 |
| 7 - Upholstered Furniture - Couches, Chairs - Loose | 610 |
| Commingled Containers - Metal, Glass, Plastic BY ROLLOFF - Loose | 600 |
| Computer and TV Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's) - Loose | 480 |
| 4 - Mattresses or Box springs - Full - Stacked | 420 |
| Mattresses or Box springs - Twin - From colleges - Bulk | 350 |
| Product To Be Destroyed, Palletized | 220 |
| We recycled 366,785 pounds of material! | |
Yard Waste
The college composts all yard waste generated on campus.
The compost is mixed with other amendments, primarily sand, and is then
re-used on campus for landscape projects. With the exception of some of
the very large landscape projects, the college’s yard waste area
produces all the loam required for projects. The college also grinds all
woody debris including brush, trees which are not utilized for firewood,
and stumps to produce approximately 90% of all mulch used on campus.
This has a highly significant positive impact since materials do not
have to be trucked off campus for disposal or trucked to campus as
needed.
Initiatives
-
Engage the college community in reducing
consumption of products, thereby lessening the waste stream while
continuing to increase recycling.
Implementation: Work with the Sustainability Committee the student Eco Reps. and Purchasing to formulate a strategic plan. (2007-2008) -
Continue to upgrade the recycling program to
further reduce solid waste disposal
Implementation: Expand commingled recycling (bottles, cans, plastics, etc.) to include all buildings on campus by the start of classes in 2007. Continue to assess program.
Install “Swap Loader” containers at all appropriate loading docks to allow for more efficient and increased recycling participation and, potentially, reduced Motor Pool labor and associated costs. Implementation begun first term, 2007, and additional containers will be installed as operational efficiencies and budget dictates. -
Refine and coordinate programs during the end
of year move-out period to capture as much material as possible before
it enters the waste stream. This effort would include commonly recycled
materials as well as clothes, furniture, appliances, rugs, etc. which
are not currently captured.
Implementation: The Sustainability Committee should continue to explore a variety of options for an effective end-of-year capture of materials. With Sisters Keepers program representatives, devise and implement a combined program to achieve “move out” goals for the end of the 2008 academic year. Engage other organizations and models of other colleges to increase re-use of useful but discarded items at the end of the academic year. -
Investigate feasibility of composting food
wastes from the college’s dining facilities.
Implementation: Investigate Board of Health criteria and the options for post- and pre-consumer food waste composting. Coordinate through the Sustainability Committee to allow for overall community participation and support. Begin discussions and planning with Food Service and the Town’s Board of Health in 2008. Investigate viability, including cost considerations, of “on site” verses contracted service including associated costs and operational issues.