In Academic Year 2014/15, Columbia Housing, the Office of Sustainability, and Facilities and Operations launched a recycling pilot program in the undergraduate residences of Carman Hall and East Campus. The program’s focus is to elevate the importance of recycling among residents and educate on protocol, to improve recycling rates and divert materials from landfill. In the first year of the pilot, the team collected baseline data, rebranded recycling stations on floors with standardized containers and signage, and assessed student perception about recycling in residence halls.
They found that the average diversion rate in first year residence Carman Hall was a mere 25.6%, while senior residence East Campus diverted 63.25%. Another audit is planned for October, following the addition of paper and plastic bins in individual rooms, clear signage placed at the floor recycling stations, and the rollout of enhanced communications to students. We expect the diversion rate to exceed current rates.
In the second year of the project Furnald Residence Hall was added. A recycling basics video was created to further emphasize correct recycling protocol, to be followed this fall by a series of 10 short videos that address the most common “problem items” identified by students as confusing to recycle. During the winter break, TWU Undergraduate Housing custodial staff will receive further mandatory training on city recycling laws. Two student groups, EcoReps and Residence Hall Leadership Organization (RHLO), will partner to help raise awareness of eco-friendly practices on campus. They will reward students “caught” recycling on campus with a t-shirt and the chance to win a larger prize.
