Recycling and Waste


The reduction of waste at SSU is a program that reaches all areas of the University. Through education and the creation of creative recycling programs, SSU has seen a 58% reduction in solid waste sent to landfills between 2001 and 2007.

From the Mini-Bin program which diverted over 100 tons of materials away from the landfill and into the recycling stream to the conversion of Dining Services kitchen oil into biofuel to power local engines, the innovative minds at SSU have created a multitude of programs to help reduce the waste that leaves the campus.

Waste reduction does not only include the trash and refuse that is dumped into the garbage cans. Waste reduction can also include the amount of potentially harmful pollutants that leave the campus.

To that end the north parking lot is a wetland project that assures water collected from the lot filled with toxins like oil and other pollutants are reduced by flowing through a separator and the wetland areas before heading to the nearby creek. Runoff is also minimized through plant selection.


Mini_Bin
Mini-Bin Turns Trash
Into Recycling Treasure


One person's trash is another's treasure as the campus has increased its recyclable office waste by almost 100 tons by turning the handling of office garbage on its head. The answer has come in the shape of a 5-1/2-inch tall black plastic mini-bin which is now the depository of garbage, such as food wastes, in campus offices. Recyclable material such as paper and plastic bottles are routed into large blue trash cans at personal desks. Final destination is the campus recycling center. Made from recycled plastic itself, the writing on the mini-bin reads "This is all the GARBAGE I make!"


Paper Use Reduction: From E-mail to 100% Recycled


Many departments on campus have taken it upon themselves to make strides to help make the campus more sustainable. These efforts range from printing on 100% recycled paper to changing business practices to include more email and less printed materials.

For example, Employee Services estimates they are saving almost 15,000 sheets of paper per year by switching to electronic employment applications and using e-mail to send some correspondence. Other departments have begun to use 100% recycled paper which saves over 5.3 pounds of greenhouse gases per ream or have mandated duplex printing for all documets helping to cut paper use.