Recycling Matters
Fall 1999
| In this Issue |
Celebrating Ten Years of Recycling !!
The Beginning
As a result of student outcry and after a year of research by a task group, the recycling program was born in the Fall of 1989 in University Housing. Starting with only newspaper and cardboard recycling, today the program has expanded to include most types of paper and food and beverage containers. Special recycling programs during student move-in and move-out and a pioneering food waste collection program in University Housing Dining Services are examples of the commitment and cooperation shown by University Housing over the past decade.
Get Ready, Get Set, Grow
After receipt of a State of Michigan grant, the paper recycling program was expanded to include fifty academic buildings on campus. By the end of 1991, all remaining academic buildings were set up to recycle paper and a program to collect pallets and scrap wood for reuse or recycling was implemented. During the first five years U of M's recycling program expanded to include container recycling across campus and cardboard recycling at Michigan Stadium. Recycling developments over the past five years have included a worm bin composting project, a newsletter, a website, help line and training video. The School of Business Green Team's Green Clean Day is an excellent example of how a group of people can take the basic idea of recycling and grow it into a living model.
Kudos
Thanks and appreciation go out to everyone on campus who make recycling, waste reduction and reuse a part of their every day life. It is our combined commitment to resource conservation that will take us into the new millennium with a focus on sustainability.
Sarah Archer
Recycling Coordinator
Oh, the Places We've Been!
~Karen GolanLooking back on the ten year anniversary of recycling at the University of Michigan, it is amazing to see how much our efforts have grown and how much has been accomplished, and shall we not forget how much has been recycled. Over the past ten years the University has increased the percent of materials recycled from 7.36% to 23.40% of the waste stream. This translates into 16,600 tons of materials being recycled and diverted from landfills over the past ten years. These figures are quite impressive, but we should not forget all the hard work that has made them possible; here are some highlights.
1989
- The University of Michigan hires its first Recycling Coordinator.
- Recycling collection begins in the Residence Halls at the start of the fall semester by collecting corrugated cardboard and newspaper.
- White office paper is added to the materials to be collected. Collection containers placed in Residence Halls and computing sites.
1990
- The University receives a grant from the Department of Natural Resources, which allows for recycling containers to be purchased and added to fifty academic/administrative buildings on campus. The money also allows for a larger rear loading truck to be purchased enabling a larger amount of materials to be transported.
- The Student Move In program is launched. The program is a success with 12.6 tons of corrugated cardboard moving boxes from Residence Halls collected in one week.
- With the success of a Student Move In program, a Student Move Out Program is started. Students are able to donate clothing, food, and carpets, which are collected and distributed to charitable organizations. Lower grade office paper is also collected so students can recycle their coursepacks and notebooks.
1991
- University Waste Management expands the recycling program to include buildings not set up with the DNR grant money and purchases newspaper collection containers.
- Waste Management hires a part time employee to expand data analysis and tracking of waste and collection operations.
- The Student Move In Program is even more successful with a 6% increase in corrugated cardboard volume and 13.4 tons collected in a one-week period.
- University of Michigan wins the Michigan Recycling Coalition Award for its recycling program.
1992
- Mixed office paper is added to collection materials, and is collected along with white office paper.
- Student Move Out Program is expanded by collecting scrap loft wood, household items, toiletries, food, clothing, and office paper. Areas are set up outside the Residence Halls for students to place furniture, carpets, and loft wood for the community to have access to it.
- Curbcarts are distributed to Northwood Family Housing, expanding recycling service to 1,600 housing units.
1993
- A set of four collection containers for public areas to collect waste, newspaper, office paper, and bottles and cans are designed and placed in Residence Halls and twenty academic/administrative buildings.
- Mixed Container collection is expanded to kitchen operations across campus.
- University of Michigan wins the Michigan Recycling Coalition Award for the Student Move Out Program.
1994
- The Football Stadium recycling program begins by recycling cardboard.
- Assist in launching a class called "Greening the Maize and Blue." This class matches student research projects with environmental programs on campus such as: studying University recycling and solid waste practices, energy and water usage, and transportation services.
1995
- City of Ann Arbor opens a new Material Recover Facility/Transfer Station (MRF).
- The Recycling Matters newsletter debuts.
- Ten outdoor recycling containers are distributed around central campus and the "diag."
- Cost per ton for recycling collection is less than the cost per ton for waste collection for the first time in University recycling history.
- Recycling information is available on the U-M GopherBlue system.
- Questions are answered by the newly set up Recycling (get address) email address.
1996
- Begin a worm bin composting project that entailed distributing 10 worm bins in lunchrooms across campus to collect non-meat food scraps.
- Plastic recycling totes are purchased and distributed in all Residence Hall rooms, making it easier for students to store and carry materials to recycling containers.
- Begin assisting a student project to collect food waste from the Mary Markley Dining hall for two months during the summer.
1997
- University of Michigan Recycling web page debuts at www.recycle.umich.edu.
- Receive the "Green Backs for Green Acts" grant from Washtenaw County to start a pilot food waste composting program in three Residence Hall kitchens. The program began in late August in Mary Markley, East Quad, and South Quad and by the end of December 15 tons of material is recovered.
- Student Move In program continues to grow with 52 tons collected, a 76% increase from the first year.
1998
- Environmental Theme Semester arrives, advertising the recycling message on 21 vinyl banners across campus.
- Assist in sponsoring Ecolympics, a competition between Residence Halls that rewards conservation efforts.
1999
- Started ink jet cartridge recycling by placing dispensers that provide self-addressed envelopes to return used computer printing ink cartridges in computing sites across campus.
- Stadium recycling is expanded to the general public. Fans can now recycle paper and plastic at two stations at each end of the stadium.
In the Spotlight: Student Move-In
An Outstanding Recycling Effort at Mary Markley Residence Hall
~Brianne Haven and Sarah Archer
Student Move-In is an overwhelming event here at the University of Michigan. You can't begin to imagine the amount of waste that falls onto the loading docks of the Residence Halls during the three or four days designated for move-in. Before the masses of students arrive, Housing Facilities staff are not only readying the student rooms but are making way at the loading dock for additional waste and recycling dumpsters. Posters are hung in the halls pointing students and parents in the direction of the loading docks. Although the recycling dumpsters are clearly marked the overwhelming overall experience of move-in leaves many potential recyclers confused. The challenge for Waste Management Services is to keep the recycling dumpsters free of contamination. Specifically, anything other than corrugated cardboard or boxboard. The largest quantity of contamination comes in the form of polystyrene packaging, the white compressed foam that protects computers, cd players and televisions from damage. With the onslaught of the electronic age we are literally bombarded with dumpster loads of polystyrene packaging during student move-in.
This fall building facilities managers at Mary Markley residence hall asked to participate in a polystyrene recycling program for the second year in a row during move-in. The previous fall Mary Markley collected about 30 bags of polystyrene block and packaging peanuts. This year Markley set a new record for polystyrene collection, coming in at 60 cubic yards of polystyrene, enough to fill half of a semi trailer. Additionally, Markley collected 20 bags of polystyrene packaging peanuts. The polystyrene block was delivered by Waste Management Services staff to Recycle Ann Arbor's drop off station where it was picked up by Dart Container for recycling. The packaging peanuts were taken to Mail Boxes, Etc. in the Michigan Union for reuse.
The organized manner in which Mary Markley's Move-In was handled resulted in high recycling participation with low contamination. The increased recycling ultimately reduced the amount of materials entering the landfill and more importantly reduced the waste management costs to University Housing. So how did they achieve such success? Signs were used creatively not only on walls but also on the floors all over the residence halls showing the students where to take recyclable materials. On the loading dock facilities staff directed students to the appropriate location for their cardboard, polystyrene or trash. Facilities staff on each floor made sure the collection containers for the polystyrene were conveniently located and well marked.
University of Michigan Waste Management Services commends Mary Markley staff for their efforts during student move-in 1999 and would like to recognize them with the first Student Move-in Waste Reduction Award. Special thanks go out to Building Facility Managers, Traci Gonzalez, Evie Nagele and their dedicated staff for making waste reduction and recycling work.
ASK ABOUT IT
In the past we have been told that the wrappers around copy paper are not recyclable. I have enclosed a copy paper wrapper that says "recyclable with corrugated cardboard". Is this copy paper wrapper recyclable here on campus?
Thanks for bringing this new wrapper to our attention. After contacting our local material recovery facility we have learned the wrappers that are printed with the message "recyclable with corrugated cardboard" can be recycled in the paper bins on campus. Please note; any copy paper wrapper that is not marked with this recyclable message should be thrown in the trash. These contain a thin film of plastic and will contaminate the paper recycling process. Below is an article about the new recyclable copy paper wrapper.
New Copy Paper Wrapper Is Recyclable
~Josh PashmanLast April, the Xerox Corporation introduced a recyclable ream wrapper for cut-sized paper. It is the first of its kind for the paper industry. The wrapper can be found on business, multipurpose paper products 4200, 4024, and recycled paper. According to Xerox, this product further demonstrates their commitment towards the environment as it is "over and above government mandate." Use of this ream wrapper is important, because it will eliminate the costs and environmental hazards that are associated with disposing of products like non-recyclable wrappers in landfills.
Xerox' successful development was due to many technological advances. According to John Viavattine, Xerox' Manager for Product Development and Paper Market Specialist, most ream wrappers use a poly-paper laminate for effective moisture protection. Unfortunately, when these reams have been recycled they have downgraded the whole bundle of white paper along with it. On the other hand, this wrapper uses a basesheet strengthened by a ratio of unbleached hardwoods and bleached softwood fibers. This patent-pending technology was co-developed with Lawson Mardon, a successful packaging supplier for the food and tobacco industries. Mr. Viavattine stressed that this partnership has led to "no sacrifice" in their wrappers' "excellent moisture protection." With Lawson Mardon's expertise, Xerox' ream wrapper adheres to the general foods standard, which guarantees protection in 100oF and 90% humidity for 24 hours. Furthermore, data "suggests" the wrapper's protection may be even better than poly-paper laminates.
For further information, please contact UM Waste Management Services or John Viavattine at Xerox -- 716-422-3550.
Michigan Stadium Kicks Off Recycling
~Brianne HavenThis year marks the fifth year of our acclaimed Michigan Stadium Football Recycling program. Originally, focused solely on recycling corrugated cardboard boxes, the program has expanded to include collection of plastic bottles and paper products. Over the last four seasons a total of 28.3 tons of corrugated cardboard has been recycled.
Stadium vendors are continuing to recycle corrugated cardboard this season and have generated over 10 tons during the first four home games. More importantly, we have expanded our operations to allow fans to recycle. Fans are encouraged through announcements during game time to recycle at one of the recycling stations conveniently located at both the North and South gates. The recycling stations are identified with large yellow and blue signs marked RECYCLE HERE. Each station is set up with separate containers for recycling both paper and plastic. Products that can be recycled include such items as game day newspapers and media guides along with plastic soda pop and water bottles.
The majority of recycling happens during clean up the day after each game. Gabriel Richard High School athletes and their families sort recyclables from the trash left behind by fans. Over 3 tons of containers have been collected over the last four games. With the increased participation of fans on game day it is hoped that one day clean up of Michigan Stadium will involve handling only the trash.
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| Have extra supplies or need something for a project? Put what you've got or what you need on the eXchange Files at www.recycle.umich.edu. |
~Brianne Haven
Ever seen the crazy cereal box notebooks on campus or sold in the Michigan Union Bookstore? The recycled notebooks a popular and profitable project for the student group EnAct (Environmental Action at U of M). The growing popularity of the notebooks has increased the need for one sided paper since the one-sided paper becomes the pages in the notebook.
The recycled notebook project involves many people at the University. EnAct collects one-sided paper and old stationary from departments or offices on campus. The paper is then sorted and put into stacks for notebooks. Cereal boxes are collected from the residence halls and are used for the covers of the recycled notebooks. The paper and cereal boxes are sent to a copy service center to be bound.
If your office has 8 1/2" x 11" white or colored, plain or hole punched paper to contribute to the Recycled Notebook project, please contact EnAct at EnAct Recycled Notebook Project (get address). Ask how a collection box can be set up to collect paper on a regular basis.
Looking for a unique gift idea? Check out the notebooks in the Michigan Union Bookstore or on the web at www.umich.edu/~enact/notebooks.html.
Recycle Ink Jet Cartridges
With the cooperation of ITD, an ink jet recycling program was set up at computing sites around campus. Most of the computing sites on campus have at least one box set up for recycling ink jet cartridges. (Check www.recycle.umich.edu for the complete list of sites.) Two recycling methods are available, the drop off collection box or the self-mailing, prepaid envelope dispenser box. Cartridges are sent to a re-manufacturing company in Tennessee that refills the cartridges with new ink for resale. Cartridges that cannot be refilled are disassembled for recycling. To set up a collection box in your department or for a supply of self-mailers contact the Waste Management Services office at Recycling (get address).
| REMEMBER TO RECYCLE OLD PHONE DIRECTORIES.  BE KIND TO YOUR BUILDING CUSTODIAN- TAKE LARGE QUANTITIES OF PHONE DIRECTORIES TO THE BLUE RECYCLING DUMPSTER AT THE LOADING DOCK OF YOUR BUILDING. |
Make A Pledge for America Recycles Day
November 15 is the official day to celebrate America Recycles Day. This is the third year Americans across the nation have taken part in events and activities to raise recycling awareness. Recycling is a popular pastime in the United States with a recycling rate of 27%, more people participate in recycling than turn out at the polls on election day. A recent city wide survey of Ann Arbor residents ranked Solid Waste and Recycling services as one of the top five most important services they received. It seems we understand the benefits of recycling and America Recycles Day is a day to take the pledge to recycle more and to buy recycled content products.
Buy Recycled
Over the past ten year years recycling has transitioned from a grassroots environmental cause to a financially viable industry. The economy of recycling depends not only on the recyclable materials we sort from our trash but also on the purchase of products made from these materials. As an educational institution, The University of Michigan purchases tons of paper each year. As each department makes the decision to purchase paper, the recycled content of the paper should be considered. M-Stores carries recycled content paper ranging from 25% - 100% recycled content paper. Be sure to order paper with at least 25% post consumer recycled content. This means the paper contains recycled paper from recycling programs like the one here on campus or in your hometown. Additionally, many office supplies are available with recycled content. Everything from index cards, file folders, binders and sheet protectors. Recycled content products are cost competitive and provide the same quality you would expect from products made of virgin materials. Purchasing recycled content products saves energy, raw materials and reduces pollution. Be sure to ask your office supplier for recycled content products when available.
Take the Pledge
Pledge on the web at www.recycle.umich.edu. Your name will be entered into a drawing for a recycled content office sampler, including a ream of non-chlorine bleached 100% post consumer waste copy paper. The pledge card will be sent on to be placed into a drawing for a state prize and on the national level, for a Green Dream Home made of recycled content building materials. For more details about the national drawing and past winners of the Green Dream Home visit www.americarecyclesday.org.
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Content modified: August 6, 2001
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