University of Central Arkansas Recycling University and Special Event Recycling Kevin Carter, November 2015

Recycling at The University of Central arkansas  Commingled- Our recycling program is commingled meaning we do not have to segregate recyclables on site.

Items we collect Items Recyclable in Conway's Program include: Cardboard (pasteboard and corrugated) Newspaper Office Paper Plastic Bottles/Containers (Coded #1 through #2) Aluminum (Cans, pie tins) Steel Cans Plastic Sacks Styrofoam

Other Items  Other Items Include:  Scrap metal  Fluorescent light bulbs  Batteries  Used oil from university vehicles

Scrap Metal  UCA generates a large amount of scrap metal annually, making recycling it very important.  Scrap metal is placed in a roll-off dumpster south of the Physical Plant, where it is picked up by a vendor and sold to a scrap yard.  Scrap metal at UCA usually consists of: broken metal shelving and furniture, empty refrigerant tanks, and metal edging.  Scrap metal recycling generates roughly $300- $600 a month in revenue.

Scrap Metal

Fluorescent light bulbs  Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, and can be very harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.  The Physical Plant boxes up burned out bulbs and ships them to an off site recycling center.

Used motor oil  Motor pool at the Physical Plant recycles all used oil from university vehicles.  UCA recycles approximately 1000 gallons of motor oil a year  Used oil is stored in a large 500 gallon tank and picked up twice a year by a recycling specialist.

Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Sevent h Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level  Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles  Second level Third level Fourth level  Fifth level Cardboard  Cardboard is collected at the Student Center as well as Christian Cafeteria due to the high volume of boxes shipped in daily  Cardboard is picked up 3 times a week at these locations and brought to the Physical Plant where it is bailed in a hydraulic bailer  UCA recycles 2200 pounds of cardboard a week on average  Cardboard bails are sold to a vendor who recycles them

Special event recycling

What kind of waste do special events create?

Goals, planning, & Education  Three key factors of successful special event recycling are: Goals, Planning, and Education  It is crucial to come up with an action plan and educate others on how to participate.  It is important to know what your goals are and what needs to be done to obtain them.

Assess the situation  It is important to meet with others helping plan an event and determine what types of waste will be present, and how to recycle them.  Example: At all of our sporting event locations, we have placed large recycling containers shaped like plastic bottles to help promote the recycling of plastic bottles.

Educate your vendors and staff  Vendors, staff, and volunteers play crucial roles in reducing waste. It is important to get them excited about recycling and that they understand the importance of it.  Make sure they know what types of materials are recyclable.  Ask vendors, staff members, and volunteers to contribute ideas for waste reduction.

Encourage attendees to recycle  It is important that your audience knows how to recycle at events.  Make special announcements about recycling and where to do it.  Place recycling messages on electronic message boards or score boards.  Create displays and issue press releases to draw attention to your waste reduction efforts.

Make it convenient  MAKE IT CONVENIENT! Most people want to do the right thing, but unfortunately, most people are lazy!  If possible, place a recycling bin next to every trash can to make recycling easier. *this particular style of container is made from 1210 reclaimed milk jugs!

Be creative  Come up with fun new ways to recycle at events.  One method we use at sporting events is called Helping Hand. We make an announcement over the PA system and have attendees pass recyclables to the center isle where housekeeping staff and volunteers collect them in green bags. We have found this method to work great!

Form a team or committee

SEED COMMITTEE  It is important to have a team or committee that can organize and promote recycling and sustainability for your organization  Our committee at UCA is called SEED.  The Sustainable Environment and Ecological Design committee encourages, reviews, develops, recommends, and provides information about proposals that can enhance UCA’s role in the local and national environmental community.  The committee is comprised of faculty, staff, and students.

conclusion  As you can see, recycling at special events can be easy if the right steps and planning are taken.  Set goals, educate, promote!

Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Sevent h Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level  Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles  Second level Third level Fourth level  Fifth level Conclusion  We want to make sure that our planet and communities are clean and sustainable for future generations!

Questions?  Kevin Carter, Recycling and Custodial Services Manager, University of Central Arkansas

Sources    