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SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah is calling on students and members of the community to be more active participants in an effort to become a more environmentally friendly campus.
Concern over their impact on the environment led University of Utah students, faculty and administration to create a Climate Action Plan in 2010. One year later, the university has seen major changes in its recycling program and its students' desire to increase sustainability on campus.
Recycling on campus began in 2007, and the 2010 plan represented an overhaul of the system.
Along with recycling paper, plastic and aluminum, electronics-recycling and food-waste programs have been implemented, as well as a program aimed to capitalize on the University of Utah's recent move to the Pac-12 in sports.
"Joining the Pac-12 means the Utes will have the chance to become one of the nation's elite football teams, and the pursuit of excellence won't stop there," said Nick Schou, an intern in the Office of Sustainability.
The university is seeking to spread its environmental sustainability efforts throughout campus, including at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Recycle Rice-Eccles, sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of Utah, is a student-led initiative aimed at reducing the impact of football games.
It may seem small, but it's something we have to try to do.
–Nick Schou
Eight tons of waste are created every football game, according to the sustainability office. Over 1,000 pounds of waste were diverted from landfills in the 2011 season home opener, and volunteers hope the figure will increase with more participation.
"It may seem small, but it's something we have to try to do," said Schou. "If we don't, the amount of waste will only grow and have a bigger impact."
RRE was developed for the 2010 football season because students noticed the large amount of recyclable material thrown away at every game, according to Alec Van Huele, ASUU Sustainability Board director. Various campus departments contributed to it, including the Office of Sustainability, the athletic department and stadium services. After modest success in its first year, the decision was made to revamp the program with a goal to involve more of the campus.
"It's too important not to do it again," said Van Huele. "It encourages sustainability and allows students to get involved while having a good time, as well as shows that a fairly large amount of students are interested in sustainability on campus."
Students are responding to the call to waste less, both within the stadium and without. The sustainability office reported that In 2010, campus recycling diverted more than 1,500 tons of waste from landfills and more than 450 tons of landscaping debris to composting programs. The university had an overall diversion rate of 33% for the year and saved more than $120,000 in landfill costs. There are over 10,000 recycling bins campus-wide.
Recycling bins and RRE are only part of the university's effort to "go green." University officials and program sponsors emphasize the importance of reducing waste in their overall approach to sustainability. Recognizing that reducing waste reduces the need to recycle, some students have organized programs around this theme, including hydration stations aimed at reducing water bottle usage and edible campus gardens.
It's something we all need to think about as we begin to realize the amount of resources we have been diminishing.
–Alec Van Huele
Students can apply for funding for a project idea through the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund, which provides funding for projects that reduce negative impact on the environment and make the university more sustainable. Students currently contribute $2.50 per year to the fund as a part of their student fees, providing funding for student-led initiatives that may otherwise not be implemented.
The office hopes the success of the recycling program and the importance of the cause will attract more students and campus departments to the drive for a zero-waste campus. The current recycling program was developed by student initiative and is funded by multiple campus departments, including the sustainability office.
"Our office was started by student initiative," said Ashley Patterson, outreach and education coordinator for the sustainability office. "One of our main functions is to support student initiatives. We were very eager to participate."
Patterson believes the program will continue to enjoy success because it is a universal cause.
"Almost everyone thinks recycling is a good idea," she said. "Why throw it in the garbage when you can throw it in a different bin and turn it into something else?"
Despite its universal relevance, Van Huele believes recycling is still neither as accepted nor as promoted as it should be. He wants to spread the word that recycling is a worth the effort, and he wants to forge connections between students in the process.
"It's something we all need to think about as we begin to realize the amount of resources we have been diminishing," he said.
"The more we change our attitudes toward sustainability and recycling, the better off we'll be," he continued. "It's not about telling people what to do, but rather encouraging, discussing, and educating. It's about connecting with each other and giving students a voice."
