UW-W Administrative Affairs
Recycling Plan


  1. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE FOR CAMPUS RECYCLING

    The administration of the recycling program is under the general supervision of the Director of Facilities Planning & Management and is as follows. 

    • Campus Recycling Officer
      Pat Jankowski (262)472-1321 ext. 3015

    • Recycling Coordinator for Remodeling & Building Construction
      Ken Kramer (262)472-1321 ext. 3010

    • Recycling Coordinator for Procurement
      Dan Forman (262)472-1321 ext. 3012

    • Zone Coordinators
      Steve Barnes   (262)472-5725
      David Soliz      (262)472-5553
      Vivian Hahn     (262)472-1321 ext. 3033

    • Recycling Coordinator for Education
      Director, Risk Management & Safety 
      Ernest Stracener (262)472-1856

    • Facilities Recycling Contacts:
      University Center -     John Peterson     (262)472-1176
      University Dining Service - Bob Berry  (262)472-6223
      Residence Life - Terry Tumbarello         (262)472-5275
      University Bookstore - Terry Meinel       (262)472-5632


    • GPR Buildings
      Pat Jankowski (262)472-1321 ext. 3015


  2. PROCUREMENT

FP&M Purchasing has initiated a comprehensive plan to seek out, recommend, obtain, and procure products having recycled content.  All copier paper purchased is 30% post consumer recycled product.  All hygienic paper products are made with recycled products.

Campus Printing encourages the use of recycled papers and is exploring the use of environmentally safe inks. Printing and Central Stores promote the use of and distribute scratch pads made from discarded reusable paper.


  1. RECYCLING COLLECTION METHODS AND LOCATIONS

    Material is recycled from all buildings on campus. Waste is separated into three waste streams: recyclable paper, other recyclables and non-recyclable waste. This is done by a color coded system:


    • Blue Containers for all paper

    • Green Containers for plastic, cans and glass

    • Existing colored tan/brown containers for trash

    1. Mixed Paper, Newspapers, Magazines and Cardboard.

      1. Mixed paper, newspapers and magazines are collected in blue recycling baskets in offices or centrally located containers in some service areas.

      2. Custodial staff rotate pick-ups of recyclable mixed paper and trash during the week. This pick up occurs during normal cleaning cycles.

      3. Mixed papers, newspapers and magazines are put into the blue recycling containers in Residence Halls and taken to the building outdoor recycling centers or roll-off unit for disposal.

      4. Cardboard generated on campus is to be flattened or baled and put into dumpsters or roll-offs for pick up by the University's waste contractor. If baled, attempts will be made to identify on alternate market, such as Janesville Recycling Center.

      5. Mixed recyclable paper is put into a separate blue dumpster or roll-off unit at the building recycling center collection sites for pick up by the University's waste contractor. Our waste contractor has a waste separation system which separates paper for various markets.

    2. Aluminum, Glass, Plastic and Steel Cans

      1. These items are put in green colored central collection containers located in the academic areas and are emptied by the custodial staff during their normal cleaning rounds.

      2. These items are put in green recycling baskets by housing residents and taken to the building recycling center or roll-off units for disposal.

      3. These items are put into separate collection containers by food service staff. Custodial staff empties these containers during their normal rounds. A separate dumpster for these recyclables is located at each food service facility.

      4. These items are put in central collection containers in all service areas, which generate this type of recyclable material. These containers are emptied by custodial staff during their normal cleaning rounds or emptied by generator as necessary.


    3. Polystyrene Products

      1. Polystyrene packing "peanuts" are saved by Receiving and reused in shipping items off campus.

    4. Yard Waste

      1. The grounds department chips and processes most yard waste. A small composting site is available to recycle excess yard waste. (Coordination with the City of Whitewater on use of their limb chipper is ongoing.)

    5. Lead Acid Batteries Waste Oil, and Tires

      1. Current procurement practices require battery exchange when new "lead acid" batteries are purchased.

      2. Old batteries purchased before the new policies were implemented are sold to a battery reclamation facility.

      3. Waste oil is held in a 500 gallon container until enough oil is collected and then an oil recycling firm collects the used oil.

      4. Our supply of waste tires is taken to Mallard Ridge Land Fill and shredded and used for daily landfill cover. 


  2. RECYCLABLE MATERIAL MARKETS AND RE-USES

    1. The market for recyclable material is very fluid. Vendors are reluctant to commit to long-term contracts due to the changing supply and demand for this material.

      1. Alternate recycling markets are continually explored by our recycling contractor.

      2. Aluminum cans, glass, plastic and steel cans are separated by our waste contractor and sold to processors as markets allow.

      3. Yard waste is chipped and reused as bedding on campus by University Grounds staff. Excess is composted.

      4. Scrap metal that is generated by maintenance is recycled into up-coming projects if conditions warrant, or is sold for scrap.

    2. Separation and Disposal Methods.

      1. The campus separates waste into three general categories or streams:

        1. Mixed paper, newspapers, magazines and baled cardboard.

        2. Aluminum, glass, plastic, steel cans, and Polystyrene.

          1. Polystyrene is separated at the University Center Food Services area only and at the receiving areas.

        3. Trash or non-recyclable waste material.

      2. Recyclable materials, i.e., stream a. and b. are put in color coded containers. The waste contractor separates this waste at their waste separation site and markets the products.

      3. The campus will to process (except for yard waste and aluminum cans) or sell recyclable materials. Our savings occur by having lower collection fees from producing less material that has to be taken to the landfill.. Our solid waste is taken to a landfill and we pay by the weight of the material disposed. The recyclable material will not be hauled to the landfill. Thus, we will not have to pay for disposal. Our goal is to maintain records on total waste weight, recyclable waste weight, and non-recyclable waste weight and continue to monitor and maintain acceptable recyclable levels for the campus.



[ Recycling Information ] [Risk Management ]
General categories or streams:

  1. Mixed paper, newspapers, magazines and baled cardboard.

    1. White paper will be voluntarily separated by Faculty and Staff.

  2. Aluminum, glass, plastic, steel cans, and Polystyrene.

    1. Polystyrene will be separated at the University Center Food Service area only.

  3. Trash or non-recyclable waste material.

  • Recyclable materials, i.e., stream a. and b. are put in color coded containers. The waste contractor will then separate this waste at their waste separation site and market the products.

  • The campus will not try to process (except for yard waste and aluminum cans) or sell recyclable materials. Our savings will occur by having lower collection fees from producing less material that has to be taken to the landfill.. Our solid waste is taken to a landfill and we pay by the weight of the material disposed. The recyclable material will not be hauled to the landfill. Thus, we will not have to pay for disposal. We are currently working out arrangements with our waste hauler on how this process will work. Our goal will be to maintain records on total waste weight, recyclable waste weight, and non-recyclable waste weight.

  • The use of clear plastic bags at some buildings mean some minimal additional costs due to the need to stock and purchase bags.

  • COSTS, REVENUES & SAVINGS

    1. Labor Costs

      It is estimated that the recycling program will require, or divert, from normal housekeeping activities at least 1 1/2 hours per week for each campus custodian. When considering the campus' 63.5 GPR and PR custodians, this translates into about 5,000 hours per year. At an approximate current average custodial labor rate of $12.25/hr. (including fringe benefits), this places the current labor cost for this program at $61,250.



    2. Dumpster/Roll-Off Container Costs

      The following are container rental costs from the campus' current waste contractor:

      - 6 yd. dumpster $15/mo.
      - 6 yd. compactor $125/mo.
      - Roll-off container: $50/mo., $125/load



    3. Collection Costs

      It is expected that collection costs will remain the same or increase slightly over the next several years.



    4. Revenue

      The campus will generate a small amount of revenue from selling recyclable batteries, scrap metal and to some extent aluminum cans. This revenue will be used to pay for some of the staff time needed to recycle.



    5. Expected Savings

      1. Our current solid waste disposal cost is $83,000 per year and is projected at $93,000 for 1992.

      2. The campus will save a substantial amount on waste management costs by not having to pay for landfill fees on the material separated for recycling.

      3. The money the campus waste contractor makes by marketing our campus recyclable material will help keep down collection fees.


  • PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

    1. Under the direction of the Campus Recycling Director, and with the advisement and assistance of Campus Planning, Land Use and Energy Conservation Committee, implement the following schedule during the spring of 1992.

      1. Verify the types of waste generated by each campus division/department.

      2. Establish collection container needs and implement the procurement process to obtain these containers.

      3. Establish waste collecting equipment needs (balers, roll-off, etc.) and implement the procurement process to obtain this equipment.

      4. Verify each campus division's/department's pick-up needs and implement scheduling and staffing patterns to assure adequate and timely collection of recyclable material.

      5. Verify the locations for new dumpster/roll-off units and implement the procurement process with the waste collection contractor to obtain the units.

      6. Develop an educational program for campus staff and students about individual campus members' recycling responsibilities.

      7. Develop contracts with recycling vendors and the waste collection agent if necessary. Existing contracts may have to be modified.

      8. Complete the implementation of the campus-wide recycling plan during the summer of 1992.

      9. Hire and train existing staff or additional staff as necessary to implement the recycling program.

      10. Recycle

      11. Develop systems to document volumes recycled and to determine compliance with Wisconsin Act 335.

      12. Report to the Campus Planning, Land Use and Energy Conservation Committee about the program of the recycling program during the fall semester 1992.

      13. Develop a system of documenting volumes or weights of material recycled.


    2. Promotional/Educational Strategies

      1. A successful and profitable recycling program requires support and participation at all levels of the organization. This team effort involves education and involvement of faculty, staff, employers and students as well. First and foremost, however, is a campus Recycling Policy Statement approved by the Chancellor. This statement affirms the University's commitment to the recycling program from administration down. The Chancellor will support the recycling effort and program in his 1992 State of the University Address.

      2. To then address the need to educate and motivate the campus, a Recycling Education Task Force composed of the Education Coordinator, Source Separation Coordinator, the five Facilities Recycling Managers and a representative from the News and Publications Department will be initiated.

        1. One of their first tasks was to create a personalized campus recycling logo. This symbol will be used on all recycling communications and will be unique and easily recognizable campus symbol.

        2. A campus-wide general Recycling Educational Program will then be developed by the Task Force. This general information program will include:

          • A seven to ten minute VHS video is being made to show how our campus will recycle. This video will be used by all interested departments on campus.

          • Classroom recycling guides have been developed.

          • Building specific recycling guides for Faculty and Staff have been developed.

          • A Student recycling guide has been developed.

          • Open campus meetings will be held with invited speakers from the Department of Natural Resources to talk on Wisconsin's Recycling Act 335 and have the campus Recycling Officer, Source Separation and Procurement Coordinators present the components of the campus Recycling Program.

          • Work with News & Publications on developing promotional material/news releases.

          • Organize a "Kick-Off" of the Recycling Program with the Chancellor and Recycling Coordinators present. This has been scheduled for Monday, September 28, 1992 at 3:30 p.m. in the CAC.

          • To further define and identify the levels of involvement and program expectations of faculty, staff, employees, and students for the recycling program, the Task Force will organize and schedule unit or building informational meetings. These meetings will further detail how the program will be physically accomplished, manpower needed and equipment utilized.


      3. The efforts of the Recycling Education Coordinator and Task Force are not only to inform and instruct the campus on the newly established Recycling Program and Wisconsin's Recycling Act 335, but also to assist the campus in rethinking habits and choices regarding solid waste. Integrated into the Recycling Education Program will be guidance on how to reduce the amounts of solid waste produced and encouragement to reuse all resources possible.

    [ Recycling Information ][ Facilities Planning and Management ]