Recycling Matters
    Winter 1999

Sustainability Special!

Concerns about the environment and development have been around for a long time. These issues emerged in the national spotlight during the 1960's when publications such as Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" and Paul Ehrlich's "Population Bomb" highlighted the connection between humans and natural systems. Since then, sustainability has captured international attention.

The National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America, May 1-5, 1999, is one of the latest attempts to address this important issue. The meeting will be held at the COBO Convention Center in Detroit, with related events across the country. Case studies will highlight the work of individuals, businesses, and communities helping the U.S. grow in a sustainable way. There will be an emphasis on sustainable solutions and building individual and institutional capacity to take advantage of these.

In recognition of the coming meeting, this issue of Recycling Matters focuses on sustainability and examples of environmentally friendly practices going on around U of M. In considering these initiatives it is important to keep in mind the slogan: "Think Globally, Act Locally". In today's global economy, the sustainability of our local community is connected to processes occurring in communities on the other side of the world. A balance and cooperation of social, economic, and political systems with each other and the natural environment is needed as we work towards a sustainable future.

Sustainability Lecture Series

Sustainable development is a contested concept that means different things to different people. One common definition is that set out by the Brundtland Commission as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) clarifies this somewhat: "to be sustainable, development must improve economic efficiency, protect and restore ecological systems, and enhance the well-being of all peoples". Still, this is a broad goal that involves ethical considerations and personal lifestyle choices. Nonetheless, with increasing awareness of both human effects and dependence on the environment, sustainable development is an issue that must be addressed. Organizations, such as The Natural Step, are working hard to promote the understanding and communication necessary to develop viable strategies for the future. All of the problems of current human relationships with each other and the earth will not be solved at once, but each of us has the opportunity to take small steps each day towards affecting positive interrelationships that will lead to a more sustainable future.

The Natural Step: An Innovative Method to Promote Sustainability

There are many strategies for working toward sustainable development. Here is the inspiring story of one:

When Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert, a Swedish cancer researcher, looked at environmental initiatives he saw various groups in adversarial positions focusing on specific incidents rather than fundamental issues. He saw a need to get to the basics and focus on consensus building. Roberts decided to take action. He gathered together renowned scientists to reach an agreement on the roots of environmental problems and on possible courses of action. What they came up with in 1989 was The Natural Step (TNS), a business and life philosophy that the King of Sweden and numerous celebrities signed on to. Educational packets were sent to every household and school in Sweden to initiate nationwide discourse and action toward a sustainable future.

So, what was their big idea? TNS is based on the premise that environmental problems stem from our linear use of resources (for example, our disposable, "use it once and throw it away" society) and the belief that only by working within the natural, cyclical systems of the earth can we survive and prosper. Four basic and non-negotiable conditions for sustainability were identified (see sidebar).

However, rather than providing a standard course of action to follow, TNS offers a framework in which many methodologies can be applied and adapted to local cultures. Cooperative problem solving is key to the process. TNS aims to educate business leaders, politicians, scientists, and others, while also asking for their advice and opinions so that they become actively involved in formulating and implementing solutions. The purpose is to work toward a widespread understanding of the basic causes of environmental problems and the use of innovative and profitable strategies for economic and environmental sustainability.

Since its inception in Sweden, TNS has spread to Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Germany, and New Zealand. In 1995, TNS came to the U.S. Some of the American companies currently using the philosophy are Odwalla ( natural juice producer), Interface Carpet Co., Placon Inc., Monsato Co., Mitsubishi Electric America, and Collins Pine (a forest products co.). TNS is also useful for large institutions, like universities. Currently, the U of M Housing Facilities Department is developing a sustainability strategy using the TNS framework.

TNS 4 Conditions for Sustainability*

1. Nature cannot withstand the buildup of dispersed matter mined from the earth. Fossil fuels, metals, and minerals must not be extracted faster than they are redeposited.
2. Nature cannot withstand the buildup of man-made compounds that are produced faster than they are broken down. A reduction in the production of natural substances that are accumulating beyond natural levels and a phase-out of non-degradable human-made substances that are not found in nature is needed.
3. Nature cannot withstand the continued deterioration of its capacity for renewal. Harmful processes, such as overharvesting and desertification, must be addressed.
4. In order for life to continue we must be efficient in resource use and promote justice. If poverty is ignored it will lead to the destruction of natural resources necessary for long-term survival to meet short-term needs.

A BIG WIN FOR RECYCLING AT THE "BIG HOUSE"!

~ Sarah Archer and Jane Reading-Boyd

The results of The America Recycles Day event at Michigan Stadium on Sunday, November 15 are in! Thanks to the Gabriel Richard High School clean up crew and U of M student volunteers, the day was a success. Recyclable materials were handpicked and bagged before stands were swept clean. Bags were piled at the Northeast corner of the stadium where the sort was orchestrated. It took five hours to sort through 19,800 plastic souvenir cups (1,320 pounds) and 620 pounds of plastic cider and water bottles, aluminum pie pans and a wide variety of glass bottles and aluminum cans containing beverages not sold in the stadium. Nearly 1 ton of "mixed containers" were rescued from the landfill! Add to this the 2,860 pounds of cardboard collected from the concessionaires on Saturday for a grand total of 4,800 pounds or 2.4 tons for the day!

WASTE REDUCTION

• REDUCE:

  -Replacement of paper table clothes with linen at special events (DS)

  -Use of cloth rather than disposable cleaning cloths (DS)

  -Junk/unwanted mail reduction postcards (GWM, MS)

• REUSE:

  -Sale of used furniture and equipment at low prices(PD, H)

  -Reupholster and refinish furniture when possible (H)

  -Reuse of engine coolant fluid (TS)

  -Reuse of campus mail envelopes (all departments)

• RECYCLE:

  -Regular collection of containers and commingled paper in residence halls, academic and administrative buildings, and at Northwood Family Housing (GWM, BS)

  -Textile and clothing recycling (GWM)

  -These items are collected with paper recycling if they are placed in clear plastic bags.

  -Scrap wood, pallet and metal recycling through special pick up arrangements (GWM)

  -Laser toner cartridge and ink jet cartridge recycling through an exchange program (M-Stores)

  -Overhead transparency recycling (GWM)

  -Mail-back program through the 3M Corporation.

  -Departments mail these directly or through the U of M Waste Management office.

  -Outdoor recycling bins in Central Campus area (GWM)

  -Cardboard recycling during student move-in (H, GWM)

  -Cardboard recycling at the football stadium (GWM)

  -Recycling and collection of food, toiletries, clothing, and household items for donation during student move-out (GWM, H, BS)

  -Office clean-outs focusing on recycling and reuse of old materials (various departments)

  -Used engine oil recycling (TS, OSEH)

  -Concrete and block recycling (CG)

  -Computer recycling (PD, OSEH)

  -Collected by Property Disposition and those that are not sold are shipped through OSEH to an east coast company for recycling

  -Solid waste management and recycling policy (H)

  -All letterhead, stationary, newsletters, and info booklets on recycled paper.

  -Recycled content copy paper.

  -Double-sided copying whenever possible.

  -Educational programs for staff.

  -Notifications of residents and staff about successes and needed improvements.

  -Commitment to identify and implement strategies including reuse, recycled product procurement, and waste reduction.

  -Provide collection containers to residents of Northwood Family Housing and residence halls for recycling.

• PROCUREMENT:
  -100% recycled paper napkins (DS)
  -Conversion from polystyrene (foam) to paper hot and cold cups (DS)
  -Bulk purchasing (DS, GWM, H, other departments)
  -Equipment purchasing and new construction geared toward saving resources (H, DS)

  -Specification of stronger, longer lasting furniture.

  -Replacement of beds with ones that can be converted to lofts and bunks and reused each year. Eliminates student loft wood waste.

  -Window replacement projects use metal rather than wood for lower maintenance and longer life.

  -Purchase of toilet partitions made from recycled milk jugs, and of chairs including parts made from recycled bottle caps.

  Availability of some recycled-content products for purchase by University departments (M-Stores)

  Campus mail envelopes (50% recycled fiber)

  Copy paper (Xerox brand 50% post-consumer recycled content; Great White brand 25% post-consumer)

  Print cartridge refills

  Toilet paper (20% post-consumer recycled content)

  Paper towels (40% post-consumer recycled conent)

  Waste baskets (recycled steel)

TRANSPORTATION

• 6 electric Ford Ranger pickup trucks (TS, GWM, P)
• Conversion of a Dodge Neon to an electric vehicle for department use (TS, S)
• Member of Clean Cities Coalition to encourage alternative fuel vehicles (TS)
• "Green Bikes" at the Dana building (SNRE)

  -Bikes available to be checked out for use around campus.

MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

• Reduction of chemical waste in labs (OSEH, various departments)

  -Chemical redistribution pilot (Medical Campus)

  -Chemicals no longer needed due to research modifications are redistributed to other labs rather than disposed of.

  -Chemical tracking program (Chemistry)

  -Waste minimization via sharing of chemicals, inventory control, and recycling.

  -Ethidium Bromide, a mutagen, waste reduction (Molecular Biology)

  -Regeneration of destaining solution for electrophoretic gels (Biology)

  -Allows reuse.

  -Microwave digestion techniques to use smaller volumes of chemicals when preparing samples (Environmental Lab)

  -Use of a non-radioactive system for measuring cell proliferation eliminates the generation of organic and radioactive waste (Biology)

  -Microscale chemistry (Chemistry)

  -Use of less hazardous alternatives, reduction of radioactive materials, and use of smaller volumes (various labs)

• Mercury reduction.

  -Replacement of mercury-filled esophageal devices with tungsten-filled (Medical)

  -Recycling of fluorescent light tubes containing mercury (OSEH)

  -Replacement of mercury-containing manometers with electric units and recycling the mercury (Lay Automotive Lab)

• Pesticide management (GWM)

  -Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicators through Michigan Department of Agriculture

  -Portable secondary containment pad to collect residual liquids from pesticide loading, mixing, washing, or rinsing operations. Allows reuse and prevents unnecessary pesticide exposure.

  -Drift management plan to minimize pesticide impact on non-target areas.

• Ozone disinfection of swimming pool water (RSA)

  -Alternative to chlorine and bromine-based treatments.

  -At Margaret Bell Pool.

• Asbestos management (OSEH)
• Radon testing (OSEH)
• Testing and remediation of lead-based paint (OSEH)
• Phase out of CFC's used in refrigeration and air conditioning as mandated by the Clean Air Act of 1990 (OSEH, H)
• Replacement of PCB transformer units (H)
• Battery collection for proper disposal (OSEH)

LANDSCAPING

• Pilot "natural landscape" concept (GWM)

  -Use of native plant materials to reduce runoff, filter pollutants, encourage groundwater recharge, encourage indigenous wildlife, improve air quality, and reduce use of labor and fossil fuels in landscape management.

• Hand weeding, perennial cutting, and trim work sometimes done in place of use of power equipment or chemicals (GWM)
• When chemicals necessary use least toxic alternative and spray under low wind conditions (GWM)
• Integrated Pest Management (GWM)

  -When pest control is necessary, a combination of cultural, mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical methods used.

  -Selection of pest resistant plants.

  -Physical barriers to prevent repeated damage.

  -Use of a bacteria to manage Eastern tent caterpillar populations.

  -Exploring the use of predacious insects, but none currently used.

  -Use of chemicals as last resort. Least toxic alternatives.

• Use of environmentally-friendly products (GWM)

  -Aluminum edging made from recycled aluminum.

  -Specify products that do not contain rainforest wood.

  -Promote use of compost rather than peat moss in planting beds.

  -Bulk purchasing.

  -Use of wood chips made from on-site branch cuttings.

ECOLOGICAL LITERACY

• Dual degree programs:

  -SNRE and Environmental Law

  -SNRE and School of Public Policy

  -SNRE and Business School

  -Corporate Environmental Management Program

• Incorporation of environmental concern with other disciplines:

  -Environmental and Industrial Health Department

  -Civil and Environmental Engineering

  -College of Architecture and Urban Planning

  -Various other departments

• Family Housing environmental education programs:

  -English language program incorporates recycling into curriculum.

  -Environmental issues in newsletter.

  -Special environmental education activities at social events.

• Clubs and organizations

COMPOSTING

• Composting of herbaceous material (GWM)

  -5 acre compost area at N. Campus.

  -Finished compost used to enrich plant beds.

• Pilot food waste composting program at Markley, East Quad, and South Quad (GWM, DS)
• Food waste composting using worm bins (GWM, FS, S)

  -Building wide at the Dana building.

  -Single bins at the Phoenix Lab, Purchasing, Institute for the Humanities, Office of Vice President for Research, and School of Nursing.