The University of Southern Maine’s Office of Environmental and Economic Sustainability defines sustainability as “the ability of current generations to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This plays itself out in the way the university recycles its waste, efficiency of energy use and oil resources.
Dudley Greeley, coordinator for the OEES, began a special effort to improve recycled waste collection at the USM during the week of November 8 to 15. Greeley said the purpose behind the initiative is his goal “to design systems that improve the University’s recycling rate.”
Students may have seen the displays promoting the week posted in the Woodbury Campus Center in Portland insisting that “If you aren’t buying recycled, you aren’t really recycling.” Greeley proposed members of private USM offices place their recycling waste bins by the door of their offices.
“Facilities staff won’t have to hunt around behind bookcases and under desks to find waste baskets hidden away in staff offices,” he said.
The proposal encouraged USM to carefully separate non-recyclables and recyclables into designated bins. Greeley pointed out improperly separated waste can turn into a major, unexpected, expense-averaging $150 per ton.
“Most university employees do a great job directing material to the proper bin,” he said.
If a bin contains too much non-recyclable waste, Facilities staff will place a printed note on the bin and leave it un-emptied. “The employees then have the choice of dumping their own waste and recyclables in containers provided in the hallways, or they can do a better job of source separating and the material will be picked up on a subsequent day,” Greeley said.
The office looks forward to recruiting student volunteers on the Gorham campus to participate in counting waste found in containers and producing a brief report. USM students and staff can look for the initiative to be tested in the coming weeks ahead by “trial” departments.
Should a department wish to be involved in the test run, contact the Office of Sustainability’s coordinator, Dudley Greeley at [email protected] or call 780-4384.