Trash is More Than Talk: Recycling Saves UAF Money

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
01/17/03

UAF’s paper recycling program has saved the university approximately $6,000 a year in tipping fees at the Fairbanks North Star Borough landfill since it began in April, 2000.

The university pays a $50 per ton tipping fee to take garbage to the landfill, but separated waste paper is accepted at the landfill at no charge. According to Ed Foster with UAF Facilities Services, approximately 130 tons of paper is separated at UAF annually. The waste paper is eventually taken to Eielson Air Force Base where it’s made into charcoal briquette-like "pellets" which are used to generate electric power. Recycling could save the university even more money, if everyone on campus participated.

In order to facilitate recycling, UAF’s Facilities Services department provides separate garbage cans to individual offices and larger receptacles in copy rooms.

Recently, UAF Dining Services worked closely with a student group called the Sustainable Campus Task Force to reduce the overall amount of waste generated on campus through food service. Dining Services instituted plastic baskets at the Wood Center Pizza Piazza and is now using glass plates and silverware instead of paper and plastic products. Refillable coffee mugs are also available at the Wood Center.

In addition to paper products, the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks also recycle aluminum, plastic bags and printer cartridges. A list of recycle locations can be downloaded from the ASUAF website at http://asuaf.org/recycle/

Recycling receptacles are also available. Contact Ed Foster, UAF Facilities Services at (907) 474-6887 or e-mail efoster@fs.uaf.edu.