Campus launches renewed paper-recycling effort
September 28, 2010
Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
9/28/10
Download a map of UAF recycling dumpster locations
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will launch its renewed paper-and cardboard-recycling program this week with a barbecue Thursday, Sept. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside Wood Center on the UAF campus.
The recycling program is the first major project of the new UAF Office of Sustainability. The office coordinates campuswide sustainability efforts, which are supported by the chancellor’s office, UAF Auxiliary and Business Services, Facilities Services and the Student Initiative for Renewable Energy. The initiative, passed by students in 2009, levied a $20-per-semester student fee to support sustainability efforts on the UAF campus. After students passed the initiative, Chancellor Brian Rogers agreed to match the fee. The match and the fee will provide about $400,000 a year for sustainability programs at UAF.
As part of the new paper-and cardboard-recycling effort, the university has distributed 30 green recycling dumpsters throughout campus. Departments and residence halls will appoint a person or team to promote recycling in their area. Students and staff and faculty members will be asked to empty their recycling bins into the dumpsters each day. Twice a week, all the waste paper will be taken to K&K Recycling to be used in a biomass heat and power plant.
“Recycling paper saves both landfill space and dumping fees,” said Michele Hebert, UAF sustainability coordinator. “It is a win-win situation. We are not longer talking waste stream, we are talking resource stream.”
Hebert and her team of student employees are planning other sustainability projects, including a thermostat program to reduce energy use by cars, energy conservation competitions in campus residence halls and the addition of more gardens on campus.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Michele Hebert, UAF sustainability coordinator, at 907-474-2423 or mahebert@alaska.edu.
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