Summer 1998
Features:
- Recycling, Recycling Everywhere: UofM Waste Management's Summer Projects
- The Recycling Program continues throughout the summer.
- National Numbers
- U.S. Recycling Figures for '97
- Earthspiration
- A new column with poems and quotes that represent the beauty of nature.
- Eco Tips: Hot Weather Environmental Protection
- Some environmental friendly summer activity tips.
- A Day of Wallowing in Waste: 1998 Residence Hall Waste Sort/ Categories Used in the Waste Sort
- Learn all about students' waste disposal habits
- Student Move-Out '98: Reusing, Recycling, and Reminding Us of the Need to Reduce
- The students are gone, but a lot of them remains.
- The Twelve Days of Move-Out
- A song adaptation for student move-out.
- Stellar Steel: The Nation's Most Recycled Material
- Everything you need and want to know about steel.
- Corrections and Points of Interest
- Oops..we like everyone, sometimes make mistakes...
- The eXchange Files
- Have office materials that you want to get rid of or are looking for?
- Recycling Matters Info
- The newsletter's purpose and who is behind it.
- Go Electronic!
- Subscribe to Recycling Matters on our web page
- The Urge to Purge
- Need some help cleaning out your office?
Download this issue of Recycling Matters in Adobe Acrobat format. (1.4 MB)
Recycling, Recycling Everywhere: U of M Waste Management's Summer Projects
~ Leslie Witter
The students may have left campus, but the recycling program at U of M is up and running all summer long. In addition to everyday pick up, U of M Waste Management is having some fun in the sun! We were involved with recycling and waste disposal at both the Ann Arbor Summer festival and Art Fairs.
At the Summer Festival we simply provided recycling bins while festival workers dealt with collection. However, at the Art Fairs our staff were directly involved with recycling at the Food Court outside of the Union. U of M placed bins for recyclable beverage containers throughout the court. Large dumpsters at the loading dock of the Union provided cardboard recycling and waste disposal for the vendors. Waste Management staff talked with vendors about the recycling system during set-up and were available during peak times to monitor bin usage, prevent contamination, and assist vendors. In addition, artists were informally invited to use U of M recycling and waste disposal areas throughout campus.
While U of M managed recycling at the Food Court, the City of Ann Arbor set up other stations throughout the fairs. This made recycling opportunities readily available to the public. Art and music are the attractions at the Summer Festival and Art Fairs, but efforts like special recycling collection are important because they give us the ability to make the events environmentally friendly, as well as enjoyable.
National Numbers! |
Check out these figures for recycling in the U.S. in 1997:
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Earthspiration
This new column is devoted to poems and quotes celebrating the beauty of nature and life and spreading an environmental message. We welcome your submissions. Please e-mail them to our office at Recycling (get address).
I think I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast,
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~ Joyce Kilmer
Eco Tips: Hot Weather Environmental Protection
~ Leslie Witter
Picnics, boating, outings to the beach…all those wonderful summer activities. Throw your sunscreen, hats, bug repellant, and snacks in a bag and you're off! But, while you're relaxing, don't forget about the planet. Follow these tips to make your summertime activities environmentally friendly:
- Use durable dishware and cloth napkins at picnics and BBQ's rather than disposables.
- If you must use disposables, avoid foam.
- When traveling pack snacks in reusable containers rather than buying fast food with excessive packaging.
- If traveling to an area with a less extensive recycling program, bring your recyclables home.
- At parks and nature areas take your trash with you when you leave or place it in receptacles. Leave the area beautiful for others to enjoy.
- In nature areas stay on main trails so you don't disturb wildlife or damage the natural ecosystem.
- Be aware of restrictions on motor boat or vehicle use in protected areas.
- Practice fire safety. Douse your campfires and do not burn on days when fire danger is high.
- Avoid insect repellants that contain DEET. Use citronella candles or repellants containing natural ingredients or gentler alternatives to DEET. For a homemade repellant try rubbing vinegar on exposed skin.
- Be aware of Ozone Action Days. On these days reduce automobile and air conditioner use, avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment, and avoid refueling your cars. Check out http://www.semcog.org/ozoneaction/index.html.
- Avoid using charcoal lighter fluid.
- If replacing a backyard or patio barbecue consider natural gas, propane, or electric grills.
- Choose manual or electric powered lawn and garden maintenance equipment over gas powered models.
- Conserve water and energy by practicing smart lawn care techniques. Contact the Huron River Watershed Council at 769-5213 for information.
- Conserve energy when you use your air conditioner. Close blinds to keep sunlight out in order to allow your fan or air conditioner to cool more efficiently. Set your thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. Check weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows.
- Enjoy the nice weather. Bike and walk more.
A Day of Wallowing in Waste: 1998 Residence Hall Waste Sort
~ Leslie Witter
Sorting through 6,669 lbs. of trash does not seem like the way most college students would choose to spend their Saturday afternoon. However, that is just what 20 paid student workers, as well as U of M Waste Management staff, did from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 14, 1998. This was the 1998 Waste Sort, designed to measure the progress of the current recycling program within residence halls.
On March 13, loads of trash collected separately from the Hill and Central areas were taken to North Campus. The next day random grabs, weighing approximately 315 lbs. each, were taken from each load. These grabs were dumped onto large sorting tables where students dug into the heaps and sorted the waste into 16 different categories. As students demonstrated their killer aim, tossing materials into labeled bins, they learned about the waste disposal habits of their peers. Meanwhile, U of M Waste Management and the Housing Division got an idea of the amount of the current waste stream that could be recycled.
The weights and volumes of sorted materials were measured. This resulted in the finding that 39.6% by volume (28.5% by weight) of Housing's waste stream could be recovered with increased recycling efforts. By volume, recyclable paper was the largest single component of the waste stream, accounting for 32% of the sorted trash. Surprisingly, plastic garbage bags and can liners were the second most abundant material by volume. Recyclable containers made up 8% by volume. By weight, food waste was the most abundant (25%).
From these results, U of M Waste Management has made several recommendations for improving Housing's recycling program. Since most of the recyclables in the waste were from residence halls rather than dining service areas, increased education and promotion directed toward students is necessary. An expanded food waste composting program could reduce the amount of pre-consumer food prep, such as vegetable scraps and egg shells, sent to the landfill. An alternative to disposal of waste in plastic trash bags could reduce the volume of waste generated as well. Finally, the Housing Division and Dining Services should increase the purchase of goods made with post-consumer recycled material and materials that can be recycled. By implementing these recommendations, Housing could potentially increase its recycling rate to over 60%.
While the waste sort was specifically designed to identify areas where Housing could improve recycling, for the students involved it also imparts a powerful personal lesson that we all need to be reminded of. Throwing something in the trash is an automatic motion for many of us. We do not always think of where this trash goes or its impacts on the environment and public health. When students see the large volume of trash at the waste sort it reminds them of the consequences of their actions. These consequences can be negative, but if each of us simply invests a small amount of time and energy into recycling and reducing waste we can turn the tide and begin to have a positive impact.
Categories Used in the Waste Sort:
Paper
Containers
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Other
Waste
Trash
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Results:
Recycling Rate = Total Recycled/(Total Recycled + Total Trash Sent to Landfill)
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Recovery Potential = Recyclable Materials Sorted From Trash/Total Trash Sorted
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Capture Rate = Material Collected for Recycling/(Material Collected for Recycling + Recyclable Material Sorted from Trash)
Paper Recycling= 77% |
Container Recycling= 64% |
Student Move-out '98: Reusing, Recycling, and Reminding Us of the Need to Reduce
~ Leslie Witter
During the week of April 25, 1998 approximately 10,000 students from U of M's 15 residence halls packed up their bags and headed out of town. They took with them the memories and mementos of another year of college life. But, they also left a lot behind.
For 10 years U of M Waste Management and Housing Divisions have teamed up to collect these unwanted materials, from food to loft wood, in order to prevent them from entering the waste stream. A week before move-out, promotional posters are displayed around the residence halls. Then, during move-out, "Recycling/Donation Stations" are set up in residence hall lobbies and "Take It or Leave It" areas are designated outside near the loading docks.
At the donation stations students place clothing, toiletries, household items, and non-perishable food in appropriate containers. Extra recycling bins are also provided. The donations are collected by U of M Waste Management and transferred to a garage at North Campus where materials are sorted before being picked up by local charities. This year was a record-breaker, with over 11 tons donated to Purple Heart, Food Gatherers, Knitwits, and COPE.
Outside, at the "Take It or Leave It" areas, carpet, rugs, furniture, and loft wood are made available free of charge to anyone who is interested. Any unscavenged loft wood is recycled. Unfortunately, leftover furniture and carpet end up in the trash. Most of the furniture that is not scavenged is in poor condition, so disposal is the best option. However, U of M Waste Management is investigating carpet recycling opportunities. Currently, the high cost of shipment is a deterrent to this process. Hopefully, carpet recycling will become more feasible in the future.
Similar collection of reusables and recyclables is provided to the Law Quad which moves out later than other divisions. This year their move-out was May 15-17. Also, 1998 was the first year of Green Move-out, an off-campus program organized by the student group Michigan Recycles. On April 25 from 1-5 p.m. the group set up and staffed 3 drop-off stations (Fischer Stadium Lot, Pound House, and the University lot on the corner of Packard and Thompson). They accepted furniture, clothing, building materials, household items, and audio/video equipment. This program was a success and Michigan Recycles plans on continuing it in the future.
Move-out is a great opportunity for the University of Michigan and the surrounding community to get involved in recycling and reusing. However, it also serves as a reminder of the overconsumerism so prevalent in today's society. Sorting through the donated items you come across some oddball finds, but more common are the Gap sweaters and Doc Marten boots that have hardly been worn. As consumers we need to remember the "reduce" component of the 3 R's and try to buy only what we need, buy durable items, and use them for their full lifetime. By reducing waste, as well as reusing and recycling at Move-out and throughout the year, we can make our lifestyles more environmentally friendly and less wasteful.
The Twelve Days of Move-Out
- On the first day of move-out the students gave to me
- A mask and a pair of green shoes.
- On the second day of move-out the students gave to me
- Two squishy earth balls.
- On the third day of move-out the students gave to me
- Three pairs of crutches.
- On the fourth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Four crates of books.
- On the fifth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Five bulletin boards.
- On the sixth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Six fluffy slippers.
- On the seventh day of move-out the students gave to me
- Seven loads of carpet.
- On the eighth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Eight bags of hangers.
- On the ninth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Nine tons of clothes.
- On the tenth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Ten pairs of chopsticks.
- On the eleventh day of move-out the students gave to me
- Eleven furry friends.
- On the twelfth day of move-out the students gave to me
- Twelve pots and pans.
Song adaptation made my Sarah Archer, Jane Reading-Boyd and Jon Kazmierski.
STELLAR STEEL: The Nation's Most Recycled Material
~ Leslie Witter
The steel industry has historically recycled scrap steel produced during the manufacturing process. During WWII steel cans were collected and recycled. Now, with community efforts increasing, steel recycling is stronger than ever!
The Lowdown on Steel:
- Steel is made from iron ore, coal, and limestone.
- Steel has magnetic properties. This allows it to be separated from other materials during the recycling process.
- Steel does not lose any of its physical characteristics or chemical composition during recycling. So, it can be recycled over and over in a continuous loop!
The Steel Recycling Process:
After steel products are collected they are magnetically separated from other recyclables. Baled or flattened and shredded steel scrap is sold to markets like detinning companies, steel mills, iron and steel foundries, and ferrous scrap processors. Detinning companies sell tin, a high-value commodity, separately from steel, but steel mills accommodate for tin as well as small amounts of other material in the scrap mix. In order to make new products the scrap steel is heated over 3000° F in one of two types of furnaces. The Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) uses 100% recycled steel to produce heavy products, such as structural beams. Flat rolled products, such as cans and car parts, are made using the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). This process uses 25-30% recycled steel.
Get Hip With the Steel Lingo:
Tin cans - These are really just steel cans with a thin, protective tin coating. They are commonly used for food packaging.
Bimetal cans - These also have a tin coated steel body, but the top is made of aluminum. Juices and carbonated
beverages are commonly packaged in bimetal cans. Both tin and bimetal cans are recyclable by the steel industry.
Stellar Steel: The Nation's Most Recycled Material
These steel products are recyclable ...
- empty food and beverage containers
- empty paint cans and pails*
- empty aerosol spray cans*
- large appliances, or "white goods", such as refrigerators, ranges, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air-conditioners. (Aluminum components are also recycled. In appliances containing coolants, the refrigerant gases are collected and recycled too.)**
- used oil filters (the excess oil is removed and recycled as well).
- steel wire used for strength in automobile tires***
- machinery
- scrap from demolished buildings
- cars
These steels are remanufactured into...
- new cans
- cars
- appliances
- construction materials
- tools
- toys
*The best option is to use up full or partially full paint and aerosol cans, or give them to someone who could use them. However, if neither of these options are available call OSEH at 763-4568 to schedule a hazardous waste pick up.
**If your department has large appliances or scrap metal to be recycled please call the U of M Waste Management Office at 763-5539 to arrange for a special pick up.
***Tire recycling is still a relatively recent field and is only available in a few states. The steel wire recycling has not yet been introduced in Michigan.
Steel Recycling Facts*:
- In 1997...
- - 61%, or 1.7 million tons, of steel cans were recycled in the U.S.
- - Appliance recycling rose to 81% with over 46 million appliances recycled.
- - Over 13 million scrap cars were recycled. This represents 97.6% of new car production.
- Recycling one ton of steel saves...
- - 2,500 lbs. of iron ore.
- - 1,000 lbs. of coal.
- - 40 lbs. of limestone.
- For each pound of steel cans recycled 5,450 Btu's of energy, enough to light a 60 watt light bulb for over 26 hours, are conserved.
*Information via The Steel Recycling Institute.
Corrections and Points of Interest
- In our Earth Day '98 edition we mentioned that batteries can be disposed of through "OSHA". The correct name of this department is OSEH, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health. For information about OSEH's programs call 763-4568. Sorry for the mistake.
- Also, in our previous edition we mentioned that copy paper wrappers contain a thin plastic film which makes them non-recyclable and a contaminant in the paper recycling stream. A few types of wrappers may not contain plastic, but since most do they are removed with other contaminants at the MRF, where our recyclables are sorted. So, please continue to throw these wrappers in the trash. Thanks!
The eXchange Files
The eXchange Files promote the re-use and exchange of small office supplies among University departments. Waste Management Services does not guarantee the condition or availability of items listed. Submissions should be sent to: Recycling (get address), or call 763-5539.
** The eXchange Files are now on the web. Check it out!
Wanted: |
Recycling Matters
Recycling Matters is produced by Grounds & Waste Management Services, a division of Plant Operations at the University of Michigan. Its purpose is to inform University staff, faculty and students of recycling, waste reduction and waste management issues that affect the campus community.
Editors: Sarah Archer and Leslie Witter. Waste Management
Staff: Doug Fasing, Dept. Manager. Mike Gaubatz, Asst.
Manager. Sarah Archer, Recycling Coordinator. Leslie Witter
and Matt Kazmierski, Recycling Interns. Jane Reading-Boyd,
Operations Foreman. Kristin Miller, Administrative Assistant.
Paulette Grobbel, Support Staff. Mike Skora, Technology
Information Specialist. Dale Bucholz, Greg Boone, Harold
Brown, and Tino Villarreal, Truck Operators.
UM Waste Management Services, 1110 E. Huron Street, Ann
Arbor, Michigan 48104-1631. phone (734) 763-5539; fax (734)
764-9390; Recycling (get address)
Go Electronic!
Reduce waste by subscribing to Recycling Matters electronically. If you are a current hard copy subscriber you will continue to receive a hard copy until your electronic subscription is received. We are happy to continue hard copy subscriptions to departments where access to computers is limited or where copies are shared in common areas.
Our web site has been set up to accept your subscription and changes to your name or address. When you choose to subscribe electronically you will receive an e-mail message announcing when the latest issue of Recycling Matters has been posted. It's as simple as 1-2-3!
Follow these simple instructions:
Click on this link: Subscribe to Recycling Matters!
Follow the directions on that page and you should be all set!
You can catch up on back issues too!
The Urge to Purge
Summertime at the University is a time for office clean ups. The largest and most organized example is the Business School "Green Clean Day" which recycled over 7 tons of paper this year. This annual event involves recycling of old papers, reuse/exchange of office supplies and gathering office furniture and equipment to be taken to Property Disposition. This year's event expanded to include litter pickup around the building.
When preparing for an office clean up which involves purging of old files you can simplify collection of paper for recycling by requesting a recycling cart from the UM Waste Management Services office. Con-tact Jane Boyd at 763-5539 at least one month prior to the clean up. These special requests for cart delivery must be worked into the routine collections made each day by our crew of four drivers. Advance notice will guarantee delivery when you need it and allow us to maintain quality service for our customers.
Check out our Checklist for Office Clean Out Day.
Please direct questions and comments to Recycling (get address). |
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