waste
The average college student generates 640 pounds of garbage each year, resulting in approximately 222 million tons of waste generated by college students yearly. Not only is waste an eyesore, it can pollute drinking water and soils.
In addition, many of the items frequently used on campus (e.g., paper and plastics) result in the depletion of natural resources. By using recycled materials or consuming less, you can curtail this depletion.
Idea starters
- Reduce:
- Reduce waste on campus by reducing packaging, conducting a waste audit and only buying necessary supplies.
- Reuse:
- Donate used furniture, clothing, books, etc. to a local charity so they can be reused.
- Recycle:
- Help students to recycle bottles, cans, and paper, as well as electronics like cell phones and batteries.
- Three is a great number, but here's a fourth...
- Composting:
- Composting food waste and biodegradable items such as newspaper will cut down on landfill waste. The compost material can be used as fertilizer by campus landscapers or local farms.
In practice
College of the Atlantic, in Maine, held the first ever green college graduation with no waste generation. All trash was reused, composted or recycled. Anything left over was used for a student sculpture displayed at graduation. In addition, electric-powered buses transported guests between events and their hotels to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Resources
- Zero Waste
- http://www.grrn.org/zerowaste
- Campus Waste
- http://www.campuswaste.com
- Making Less Garbage on Campus
- http://www.informinc.org/xsum_lesscampus.php