Year in Review

This year stood as a test of our own resilience. Could we begin thriving again instead of just surviving the “newnormal?” Economics swung in our favor and against it. Staff gained new capacity while seeing areas stretch. The focus was on understanding what UW-Milwaukee’s needs were, as students, faculty, and staff emerged from studying and working from home. The team tracked evolving trends and dialed programs and procedures in such a way to ensure that the campus, and ourselves, were cared for. And meanwhile, a major planning milestone was reached.

Energy savings climbed, as well as metal sales, surplus reuse for campus, and even the recycling diversion rate scaled up a little. UWM reached a 32% reduction in energy savings since 2008. Supply chain issues drove metal recycling sales to new highs. An increased volume of surplus materials also impacted metal recycling, but primarily gave campus more options for reuse. Over two thousand items went back to campus, saving faculty and staff over $300,000 in unspent purchases.

A reorganization of downstream material operations resulted in hiring Lindsay Frost as UWM’s first Resource Management Coordinator. Lindsay’s management and oversight brought together the Office’s Surplus and Recycling areas into a more seamless operation.

Continuous improvements were made, including a new on-campus Surplus Pop-Up Shop, major space cleanouts, and bringing back the Move-Out program in full force.

The UWM Climate Action: Carbon & Resilience Plan came together. Upon review by stakeholders and leadership, the crafted plan went before all UWM governance groups. All faculty, staff, and student committees fully endorsed the plan and sent it into implementation. By the end of the fiscal year, the plan was flushed out for print and the wheels were put into motion for execution.

The new-normal conditions made it possible to bring the full sustainability team together. Perhaps this year marked, better than any, the importance of working and playing together. Beyond the team’s workplace collaboration, we also shared many field trips and possibilities to break bread together. There was time to pause, reflect, and set new directions. We adapt as the world around us changes, serving the UWM campus however best we can.

Kate M. Nelson Chief Sustainability Officer