March 2012 - EC Sustainability News

EC Sustainability News | March 2012 ACHIEVEMENTS KUDOS TO THE LIVING GREEN TEAM AND ALL CAFETERIA RECYCLERS On February 9th, the Leadership Council of our Bluejay Football Team, Chartwells’ staff and SCARCE conducted a “waste audit” in the cafeteria. Donning rubber gloves, they segregated the material in the Compost, Recyclable, and Trash (Landfill) containers to determine how accurately the content reflected the desired material. In the critical area of Compost, the refuse was 95% pure, i.e., only 5% wasn’t compostable. This positive data results are the first step in obtaining a compost hauling vendor. Hat’s off to the Living Green Team – students who helped direct patrons to the proper containers; and ultimately, to cafeteria patrons themselves for being so conscientious.

ILLINOIS CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY COMPACT AWARDS THE COLLEGE A “BRONZE LEVEL” ACHIEVEMENT AWARD In December 2011, the College’s sustainability program was awarded a Bronze Level Achievement Award by the Governor’s Office through the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact. This award reflects our targeted commitment as reflected in our Sustainability Plan and structures. The Sustainability Committee is committed to moving us to the Silver Level in the year ahead.

MORTON REGISTER OF ARBORETA AWARDS THE COLLEGE THE DISTINCTION AS A LEVEL II ACCREDITED ARBORETUM In early February, the College’s Arboretum was awarded with the designation as a Level II Accredited Arboretum by the Morton Register of Arboreta. This award is the results of the quality of our collection, the level of certification of our staff, the policies in place to care for our trees, and the educational activities we provide. Congratulations to our three certified arborists: Paul Haack, David Svitak and Mike Rayfus.

NEWS AND CAMPUS INITIATIVES WHAT DO WE RECYCLE? HOW MUCH? EVER WONDER? Do you remember that old box of files that you turned over to Facilities Management for shredding; or those sheets of cardboard and plastic which were encasing your new desk; or those old flashlight batteries that you gave to Residence Life, or the toner cartridge you gave back to Information Services?

The Sustainability Committee is collecting such information, and although a little preliminary, this is what was found: • • •

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The old files shredded by Secure Eco-Shred have saved 34 trees since 2009.

Residence Life recycled over 530 mattresses over the past two years, saving the College $20,670 in trash hauling costs.

Waste Management reported that we recycled 171 tons of single-stream recyclable material in 2011 therefore saving 2,280 trees and 639 cubic yards of landfill space. The power saved by not needing to produce new material is credited as 791,770 Kw-Hrs of electricity and fuel (oil, gas, coal) that would have went into producing all of it anew.

Information Services collected about 1,000 toner cartridges and per agreement with our vendor (Genesis, Inc.), they were recycled, refilled, and most returned to campus at a significantly reduced expense.

Student athletes benefit from the ink jet cartridges returned to Information Services. These cartridges are then turned over to the Funding Factory for funds for athletic programs.

56.25 lbs. of batteries and 33.74 lbs. of plastic bottle caps were taken by Creative Recycling Resources from bins in Residence Life.

18,000+ plastic bags were collected by Residence Life and donated to New Life for Old Bags where they were converted into mats for the homeless.

Mahoney Environmental recycled 33,385 lbs. of fryer oil since January 2009. The material is turned into bio-fuel and animal feed.

Much more is recycled on campus and baseline data is being developed. Look for future updates.

WHAT YOU CAN DO? OFFICE SUPPLIES SWAP OUT The Sustainability Committee is making plans to host a Farmers’ Market style office supplies swap out.

Offices will be invited to bring in excess office items to swap out. Boxes of paper clips, reusable envelopes, accounting pads, organizers, and staplers are a few of the items that will be available. Here is an opportunity to share and recycle needed office supplies without purchasing them. Look for details.

BUYING AND RECYCLING TONER AND INKJET CARTRIDGES The College asks that toner and cartridges be purchased through Information Services at printersupplies@elmhurst.edu or through the Help Desk at ext. 3767 and not from outside vendors. In this manner, we not only get a considerable discount from Genesis Technology, Inc. but our printers are serviced and old cartridges recycled.

Learn more at: http://public.elmhurst.edu/projects/sustainability Send recommendations and comments to: sustainable@elmhurst.edu

March 22, 2012 is World Water Day Have you asked yourself any of these questions? Wondered what the responses might be? The United Nations focus on water and food security notes “the world is thirsty because we are hungry”. Read more at http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/ •

Why is water a key to food security?

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How much water is needed to produce our food?

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How is the global demand for food evolving?

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How does water scarcity affect our food security?

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Is the competition for water increasing?

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How has the Green Revolution degraded our land and water while allowing to supply more food?

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But can we produce more food with less water?

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Can we re-use and recycle water in food production?

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How can we protect this precious resource?

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How can we prepare for climate changes and natural disasters?

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Are there ways to improve the integration of different food production systems and increase water productivity?

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Finally, how can we reduce the waste?

Learn more at: http://public.elmhurst.edu/projects/sustainability Send recommendations and comments to: sustainable@elmhurst.edu