Sustainability

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Recycling

Residence Halls Facilities

  • In May 2010, the second year of a move-out recycling campaign directed to hall residents, trash hauling costs were reduced 58% from 2008; 19,660 pounds of carpeting was reclaimed by Sergenian's and diverted from the landfill (compared to 8,000 in 2009); and over 16,000 pounds of donations were received by Goodwill Industries.
    A significant amount of metal was recycled by Reynolds (measurements not available) both years. In 2009 Residence Halls Facilities instituted the first move-out recycling campaign in partnership with We Conserve and Saint Vincent de Paul. As a result, trash hauling costs were more than halved and 185 cubic yards of donated goods were collected.
  • Partnership with WISPIRG and   UW Facilities Planning and Management to  support hall residents' participation in  Rec yclemania, a nation-wide college and university recycling competion.
  • Green "Slim Jim" recycling containers were purchased for the desk areas and residence life offices in 2009.
  • Student custodians collect beverage containers, paper and cardboard in hall trash areas for recycling.
  • Recycle used toner cartridges.
  • University Residence Halls recycling PowerPoint presentation

University Apartments Facilities

Residence Life

  • Cell phones can be recycled at hall desks through a partnership with Domestic Abuse Intervention Services of Dane County.
  • Tech Learning Centers use 80-100% recycled paper for printing.

     

  • A pilot program to compost consumer food waste within the residence halls was begun in spring 2010 in Cole Hall. The program is being continued in 2010-2011, coinciding with the first year of the GreenHouse residential learning community there. Composting bins have been installed in Chadbourne Hall, with Smith Hall to follow in the spring semester.
    The 2009-2010 program was a student initiative with the entire hall eventually participating. The student leader produced an educational slide show on composting which was shown during a series of floor meetings. Residents voluntarily complied with procedures to dispose of appropriate compostable waste brought into the hall. University Housing dining services and facilities staff devised a handling system for the compost, with a destination of the West Madison Agricultural Research Station.

    We Conserve of UW-Madison Facilities, Planning & Management has purchased a chipper/mulcher machine to take on more compost volume as post-consumer composting is implemented in more residence halls and other campus buildings.

Dining and Culinary Services

 

  • All vegetable food waste and paper products used in the preparation process of food served by Housing is composted.
  • Food waste left on diners' trays when they are returned is composted by dining staff.
  • A pilot program to compost consumer food waste within the residence halls was begun in spring 2010 in Cole Hall. The program is being continued in 2010-2011, coinciding with the first year of the GreenHouse residential learning community there. Composting bins have been installed in Chadbourne Hall, with Smith Hall to follow in the spring semester.
    The 2009-2010 program was a student initiative with the entire hall eventually participating. The student leader produced an educational slide show on composting which was shown during a series of floor meetings. Residents voluntarily complied with procedures to dispose of appropriate compostable waste brought into the hall. University Housing dining services and facilities staff devised a handling system for the compost, with a destination of the West Madison Agricultural Research Station.

    We Conserve of UW-Madison Facilities, Planning & Management has purchased a chipper/mulcher machine to take on more compost volume as post-consumer composting is implemented in more residence halls and other campus buildings.
  • Allow carry-out of china; provide drop-off in residence halls.
  • Provide disposable food carryout containers made with recyclable materials; no styrofoam containers are used.
  • Offer reusable Eco Take-out containers for purchase of carry-out food. The container can be returned to a cashier's station and redeemed for an Eco Token to use for future food purchases to go. Customers who purchase Eco Take-outs can redeem their container or Eco Token each semester for a full refund and a certifcate for a 12 inch pizza during a defined redemption period at the end of each semester.
  • Promotion of refillable mugs for beverages and a price break for using this option.
  • Promotion of insulated coffee sleeve for to-go cups. Purchase of coffee sleeve enables discount on future coffee and hot chocolate purchases.
  • Compact Chico Bag totes (they fold into their own pouch) are available for purchase at the carryout stores. Customers receive a grocery discount with use.