Campus Waste Audit - CPJ May 29

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FEATURES | 5 www.evergreen.edu/cpjMay 29, 2008Campus Waste Audit: What are we throwing away?by Leah haLL, Seth June, & amanda WedoWOn May 22, a group of students from Ecological Agriculture, Students of Ever-green for Ecological Design, and Devel-oping Ecological Agricultural Practices emptied out campus garbage bins to sort the “waste.” The goal was to separate and quantify the amount of recyclable and compostable material in the campus waste stream. After sorting garbage cans from Red Square, the Greenery, Seminar II, and the Sem II Café, we found only 12.5% “garbage” by weight, with 12.5% recyclables, and 75% compostable waste. The compostable waste was further divided into two categories: food waste (30%) and other compostables (45%) such as coffee cups, paper plates, soiled napkins, and biodegradable utensils.A lArger, more comprehensive system on cAmpus ... would be visible And Rainboe Si MS-Jone SStudentS dig through the garbage to examine the waSte. more than three educAtionAl, reduce quarterS of the traSh could have been compoStedour cArbon foot- utilized. The Evergreen Organic Farm processes one-third of the food waste. The composting And reuse is A very impor-print, sAve money, campus facility contains three thermophylic reactors and a dysfunctional vermicompost- tAnt wAy to turn “wAste” products And help to Achieve ing (worm) system. The farm’s processing capacity is limited into vAluAble resources. ...

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• Publié par: Udre
• Nombre de lectures: 24
• Langue: English

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êêê.eèeãÄãeeá.edé/câÉ FEATURES  5  Maí2 9 20,8 Campus Waste Audit: What are we throwing away?

bí  haLLeahte hdLS  duJen & WdaanamoWed  

On May 22, a group of students from Ecological Agriculture, Students of Ever- green for Ecological Design, and Devel- oping Ecological Agricultural Practices emptied out campus garbage bins to sort the “waste.” The goal was to separate and quantify the amount of recyclable and compostable material in the campus waste stream. After sorting garbage cans from Red Square, the Greenery, Seminar II, and the Sem II Café, we found only 12.5% “garbage” by weight, with 12.5% recyclables, and 75% compostable waste. The compostable waste was further divided into two categories: food waste (30%) and other compostables (45%) such as coffee cups, paper plates, soiled napkins, and biodegradable utensils. y ylregr  d more    comprehensive   

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educytionyl  d reduce   S tudentS   dig   through   the   garbage   to   examine   the   waSte fm  ore   than   three   Rainboe Si MSeJone S quarterS   of   the   traSh   could   have   been   compoSted our   cyrbon   foot e utilized. The Evergreen Organic Farm c mposting very   impor e processes one-third of the food waste. The o   ynd   reuse   is   y    print  d syve   money  d campus facility contains three thermophylic reactors and a dysfunctional vermicompost- tynt   wyy   to   turn   wyste   uctsprod    ynd   help   to   eychiev   ing (worm) system. The farm’s processing capacity is limited into   elyvulby   rseuoesrc  cf  stpoom    cympus   slyog   for   by infrastructure and storage space. The remaining food scraps go to a local pig is   used   to   restore   ntstrienu   to   the    Z ero  w yste   by  h2 2h farm. Composting and reuse is a very important soil   ynd   improve   soil   quylity One of the most difficult things was decid- way to turn “waste” products into valuable ing what could be recycled and/or compos- resources. Compost is used to restore nutri- ted. For instance, tin foil is recyclable unless ents to the soil and improve soil quality. to the soil. campus goals for Zero Waste by 2020. it has food residue on it. Milk cartons do not Under our current agricultural system, Evergreen’s vision for a sustainable future It would be helpful if students were given have a recycling symbol, yet they are recy- much of the fertility needed to grow crops is stated in the Sustainability Task Force’s a brief lesson on the value and practice clable as well. comes from industrial fertilizer that is mission: of conserving, recycling, and compost- The garbage pile contained plastic wrap- manufactured with fossil fuels. Even most ing during orientation week. The school pers, chip bags, lids to plastic bottles, organic farms can trace their fertility to “The Evergreen State College will be a also needs to provide containers to sort ketchup packets, and straws. these unsustainable sources. Organic grow- laboratory for sustainability as demon- compostables and food scraps. There also  Currently, a portion of the compostable ers often rely on animal manures for their strated in its operations, curriculum, and to be more education and signageneeds waste is diverted from the landfill andfertility needs, and most animals are fed quality of life for employees and students. relating to “waste” disposal. Campus Waste Audit corn and soy products origi- We will nurture values and practical skills Students need to take responsibility for nating in conventional fields that motivate a lifetime of commitment to their part in producing waste. Simple things in the Midwest. If we desire to a sustainable, intergenerationally just like coffee cups really add up; we found move towards a more sustain- way of living on a healthy planet.”  you are going to be purchasinghundreds. If able system, we need to findbeverages on campus, bring your own mug! other ways to return nutrients Beginning next year, the campus will be Reducing resource use is more important to the farm. sending compostable waste to Silver Springs, than composting waste. Evergreen is touted as being a local compost facility that can process our If you are interested in carrying on the audit at the forefront of sustainabil- entire current stream of biodegradables. for the next school year, contact marben28@ ity education, However, this should be a temporary solu-yet the campus evergreen.edu. garbage consisted of 75% tion while planning a larger, more compre- biodegradable substances hensive system on campus that would beLeah Hall and Amanda Wedow are An lysis of 113 pounds of waste from Red Square  and educational, reduce our carbon visiblethat, with proper sorting andseniors and Seth June is a junior; all three a  save money, and help to achieveprocessing, could be returned footprint,are enrolled inEcological Agriculture.