Overview

Much of the waste generated, occurs in the home environment.  For a segment of a university's population, the home environment falls within university housing areas.  University Housing facilities are more than a residential facility.  Housing departments include residential facilities, food services, administrative offices, and purchasing.  It is this composition that makes university housing a microcosm that is an essential area for waste reduction and recycling.  There is tremendous waste recovery/waste reduction/education potential within these areas and including them is integral to waste reduction efforts on campus.

Dormitories, apartments, multi-family complexes, cafeterias, campus catering and other food related areas are just some of the options that fall under the umbrella of university housing.  These areas can be grouped into on- and off-campus residential areas.  Conducting operations on-campus where buildings are often clustered together is much different than accessing off-campus complexes.

Audit the Waste Stream

The volumes and types of materials generated among the numerous areas can differ greatly.  By addressing the waste streams coming out of each area, recycling and waste reduction, can be very successful in university housing.  An easy way to do this is through observation.  Walk around these areas, look in dumpsters and observe which items are easily recyclable, have markets and are generated in large quantities.  As mentioned, University Housing is a microcosm of a small city.  Typically these areas generate the same materials that are already being collected on campus.  An in-depth waste audit can also be done, see waste audit section of this handbook.

Food service areas typically generate large, bulk containers, larger volumes of lower grade paper products and food scraps.

On-campus dormitory areas generate more single use materials such as beverage containers and many types of paper both low and high grade paper.

Multi-family complexes generate multiple grades of paper as well as kitchen containers and packaging.

Housing Food Service Areas

Housing food service areas typically include several large cafeterias, fast food type of venues and often catering operations.

For traditional institutional kitchen recycling, see kitchen recycling section of this handbook.

Food services on college campuses are changing.  Housing departments are following suit and diversifying the dining options available to students, particularly those living on-campus.  Many campuses are moving away from offering only dine-in, buffet-style meals served on reusable dishware.  Incorporating convenience into food services has become a main focus.  Cafes and convenience stores, where students can purchase pre-packed, single-serving products and a la carte items, have become commonplace.

The move from reusable dishware and kitchen prepared meals to single-serving, disposable food products, undoubtedly has a huge impact on all aspects of waste generation in housing areas. Increased trash generation is typical due to the to-go dining ware and non-recyclable food packaging. Increased trash generation and greater recycling potential emerges due to these changing on-campus food services.

It is important to pay attention to these areas and monitor the waste stream. Garbage is increasingly expensive to manage and University Housing areas are having to pass these costs along to students.  Waste reduction efforts in Housing food service areas is an important area to focus.

Here are some ideas on waste reduction opportunities in Housing Food Service areas:

*Eliminate disposable cups in all Housing food service cafeterias, give each new resident a reusable mug to be used to take drinks out of the cafeteria and offer discounted beverages at "for pay" Housing food service areas. The refillable mugs can save thousands of dollars in disposable cups costs alone and can also be designed with the waste reduction message and campus logo.

*Educate students in the cafeteria setting, to reduce napkin and food waste. A variety of messages can be placed on table tents, that students read when they eat at the cafeterias.  Put messages on napkin dispensers and in food areas that remind students to take what they will use or eat, they can always go back for more.  Little reminders help people reduce waste.

*Offer minimally packaged items in bulk that are recyclable within the campus program, this is especially important in the mini-mart type of stores that are becoming more common place in University Housing areas and in general cafeteria food service purchasing.  Buying in bulk reduces waste and saves money and people are happier getting ketchup out of a bulk squirt jar then trying to open and empty numerous single serving ketchup packets!

*Utilize reusable plates, cups and ware at fast food type locations for customers who stay and eat, minimize disposable options.  The trend towards fast food options is becoming a mainstay for college student unions and more recently in residence hall areas.

*Create a ban on Styrofoam as it is a petroleum product that is the symbol of a disposable society (gotta get the message out there!).

*Utilize reusables when possible and especially offer this in cases where students actually stay in or near the establishment for dining.  Many schools issue students refillable mugs when they move in.  This is a great opportunity to consider issuing a full non-breakable food ware set to all students when they move in.  Plates can be made with the school logo.  This can be given as a souvenir, like refillable mugs.  Another option is to issue items that are considered part of the room and must be returned at the end of the year, if not, the student will charged.  When these items get lost or forgotten at fast food areas, institute a charge for the disposables.   Be sure and consider waste generated in the equation.  Chances are, students will indeed have the incentive to remember to bring and use reusables.

*Implement waste reduction at all food locations, which includes eliminating unnecessary disposable items and single-serving items.  This is especially important in food store types of settings.  Work with Housing department to reduce waste coming out of these locations.  Provide opportunities for recycling at these sites.

*Another option for fast food types of operations is to offer paper food ware that is compostable.  Ideally, this will accompany a compostables collection in these areas.

*Design reduced food ware options, for example: create a minimal pizza envelope for a pizza as opposed to using a standard paper plate to serve a slice of pizza, this will have a notable impact in reducing waste.

*Create options for renting or selling reusables (like Tupperware) as an additional mechanism for waste reduction.

     ...AND VOILA!  A win win situation for all...waste reduction that literally costs the University Housing next to nothing while monetary savings from waste will be notable.

Waste generation in fast food and quick mart operations generate monstrous amounts of waste.  Start simple and monitor the waste production in these areas. Be sure and consider both the public and vendor generation.

How to Build a Recycling Program in Campus Residence Halls

In order to build a recycling program in campus residence halls, it is important to:

*Create a proposal for waste recovery and reduction in these areas

*Work with Housing administrators to develop this plan

*At most colleges, Housing areas are an auxiliary, which indicates that they will be charged for a recycling service.  With this in mind, determine how the garbage is handled and what options are available for recycling collection.  Some schools handle their own garbage, other schools pay outside contractors.  Research the amount and costs to Housing for this service.   Identify if the hauler includes recycling in their service and work to create this collection in these areas through an existing contractor.   For schools that manage their own waste, work with the Waste Manager to determine how to implement a recycling program in Housing in an efficient and economically viable manner.

*Keep in mind that students are the "clients" in University Housing. Work with in-house student groups, residents and resident directors/assistants to support and provide input on recycling.

Enlisting the Residents and Student Staff

Getting the student population on board with the recycling effort is an important piece in ensuring success of the program in Housing areas.

*Do a student survey annually to gather information on ways to improve, expand and maintain an effort in these areas.  Surveys provide valuable information and also serve as an opportunity to educate and assess the attitudes of the student population.

*Meet with RA’s and RD’s throughout the year but most importantly at the beginning of the year.  Become a regular part of their orientation and education process.  Introduce the recycling routine in Housing as part of Student Life on campus.  This will help incorporate this practice into the daily life in Housing areas.

*Do presentations at Hall meetings

*Make in-roads with all Housing staff especially custodians and kitchen staff. These alliances will be beneficial to supporting the effort, gaining staff involvement and some leverage for making changes and adding new programs.

*Utilize Housing student volunteers to promote waste reduction and recycling on their "home front"

*Be aware and make contacts with the Residence Hall Governance Associations or any other student group that has input into Housing programming and activities. Sometimes these student associations have funding opportunities to assist with funding contest prizes, mugs, in-room dorm recycling bins and other promotional items.

*If possible, offer program facility tours to students living in University Housing areas

*Try and be included in new student orientation in housing areas and take opportunities to do promotional tabling or other educational activities at gatherings during new student week and other programming gatherings

Recycling Operations 

There are several important factors to consider in establishing recycling collection in housing areas:

Determine what types of materials residents will be generating.  Consider where students will be getting materials.

In residence halls primarily bottles and cans, newspapers, and both high and low-grade paper are generated.  Due to space limitations and a trend towards regular contamination, a collection for white, newspaper, mixed paper and cardboard is recommended.  Having an additional colored paper category invites contamination and becomes a low grade mix anyway.  It’s less hassle to create a mix category that sorters will know to check for contamination while processing paper that can be upgraded by the program.

On and off campus apartments/houses will generate a diversity of materials because residents are able to prepare meals within their own units.  Balance materials types with space restrictions and capacity needs.  In order to provide a broad collection approach, it may be necessary to combine some materials in collection.

Recycling collection should be located in trash areas.  Create Waste/Recycling stations that are complete.  Sitting certain materials in special locations (such as cardboard collection) will reduce the possibility that these materials will be collected.  Convenience, consistency, good signnage and well maintained areas will maximize recycling and reduce contamination.

In Residence Hall areas, it is ideal to have sites on floors but often the fire marshal will not allow floor sites.  Review where garbage is centralized currently and work to incorporate recycling systems into collection. Set-up systems that minimize program/Housing labor needs.

Incorporate these systems into areas that generate special waste.  For example: at all area desks where students get mail, be sure and site a mail collection in those areas.  The rule is: if there is a garbage collection, then are there any recoverables generated in the area that would require a recycling site?

Some schools have trash rooms, others have outside trash collection areas.  Typically, students are required to dump these materials to central locations.   The more centralized the collections are, the less it will cost for labor to handle these materials.

In family housing complexes, student housing apartments and houses, establish community Waste/Recycling areas. Typically these are trash enclosures and are often uncovered.  There are many unique types of covered containers and units that are available which are suitable for these types of areas.

Have a recycling employee go through sites daily and clean-out contaminants, high grade materials and keep area clean.  Always check that signs are properly displayed and aesthetically pleasing.  Keep bins clean, create maintenance switch out schedule for containers.  Select areas that allow for easy clean-up.  Keeping recycling areas clean and organized serve a greater purpose beyond just the ease of use.  Well-kept sites continue the element of convenience for users and help the experience of recycle to be a positive one.  Identify where recycling containers can be taken to be cleaned.

Determine whether staff would be available to move recyclables and trash from on/off-campus locations.

Present various scenarios to incorporate existing labor into this process as any little bit can help.

With sites monitored, clearly labeled and easily accessible, recycling crews can come in and quickly swap out barrels instead of emptying barrels into bags or other barrels. Bring materials back to warehouse/processing center to be sifted through as they are processed into marketing containers.

Of note: University Housing areas are notorious for creating contamination.  Through monitoring, good signnage, introduction of the practice with new student orientation and continuous promotion, recycling service will be efficient and effective.

     *Container options

Often in Residence Halls, outside areas are utilized.  If areas are covered, 55 gallon drums are excellent for minimizing cost and compatibility with swapping out containers for servicing.  These also have a generous capacity which reduces the need for increased servicing of containers.

In other outside uncovered areas, there are plastic barrel lids available at a minimum cost, but these are not ideal.  There are many companies that make metal recycling units that enclose plastic 55 gallon containers and are aesthetically pleasing, fire safe and easy to service and maintain.

There are inexpensive galvanized garbage cans with lids available at home stores.

     *Signnage

In family housing areas, children often are the ones charged with doing the recycling and garbage disposal.

Creating photographic signs and multi-lingual promotional information and posters are very helpful in reaching the potentially unique population living in these areas.

For Housing areas and other outside areas, corrugated plastic signs made by a sign company, is useful, sturdy and can be a good medium for operational and educational information.

     *Recycling tools

Providing tools to make recycling a convenience for residents is also important to a successful recycling effort.  A simple tool, that also acts as a promotional item is a room or apartment recycling bin.  The concept is modeled on curbside recycling bin programs that are successful across the country.  Get residents involved in choosing recycling bins that would work best for their units.

Of course, if there is a mechanism to give these to students outright, that is also an option.

Ideally, these bins will be a one-time investment and will be maintained through replacement cost system from inventory control.

The Program can also sell these to help generate revenue to purchase them for all University Housing areas.

Move-IN's, Move-OUT's and Large Material Generation Opportunities

Students in University Housing areas generate copious amounts of materials during Fall Move-Ins, Spring Move-Outs and somewhat before breaks and after term finals.

     It is important to pay attention to these times, especially move-outs.

     Move-In:

*Cardboard is generated in large quantities during move-in periods. Plan for extra collection areas and servicing, needed clean-out of cardboard containers and unreal piles appearing spontaneously.  Keep in mind, on the move-in’s, these are new students who are not focused on how things work in a University setting. Extra promotions and regular monitoring of these areas during move-ins are recommended.

     Move-Out:

Move-outs are an unreal experience where students are under a time constraint to be moved out by the end of finals week.  Imagine having a final on Friday AM and having to be moved out by 5PM.  This is a crazy time for the students and also for the staff.  Plan AHEAD!

*Though cardboard boxes are a commodity during this period, there is still increased amount of cardboard generated.

*Set-up extra barrels at all sites

*Organize a collection of reusables and try and to keep it within the waste/recycling areas

*Housing Departments often set-up extra dumpsters in areas not near recycling collection.   Stay in the loop and do what you can to set-up reusables and recycling areas next to extra dumpsters.

*Do extensive promotion for the 2 weeks ahead of time and start the reusables collection prior to move-out week

*Make move-out info. door hangers, put those on every door in the residence halls and family housing, these are well received.

*Plan to have a crew working until everything is cleaned out.   For example: students have to be out by 5PM on a Friday, plan to have at least one crew (best to get as much help as possible) to work until all of the areas have been swept/emptied at least one time through.  Many students wait until the last minute and recycling/waste areas will fill up the most during the final move-out day.

*Some schools have been very creative in setting up a place for students to do a giant yard sale.  In the Family Housing areas, this has been effective as people live there year round.  In the Residence Hall areas it is more difficult because students don’t plan ahead and do everything at the last minute.

*Another idea is to work with a non-profit to gather these materials and re-sell them in the Fall to the new students as a fundraiser and waste reduction project.

*There is a project called Dump and Run, that helps colleges with move-outs.   See resources below.

*Students become hectic and end up throwing a lot of items into a giant plastic bag and without removing and sorting recyclables.  Issue students 2 or 3 large color coded labeled plastic bags for move-outs that will assist with this problem.  One for garbage, one for paper and one for bottles/cans.

*Don’t forget to debrief this process to find strategies for the following year (and exchange ideas with other schools)!!

Reuse/Exchange Areas

If possible, set-up an on-going area for materials exchanges and collection of reusables.   If this can only be done at move-outs, oh well.  But the more that can be recovered throughout the year, the better it is for everyone (including students who have tiny dorm rooms).

Create a small space or bin, promote it, monitor it and work to improve it with residents in the area.  These should be located in high traffic areas or ideally within waste/recycling collection areas.

Laundry rooms are a popular dry space to set-up some reusables collection or an exchange.  This is especially successful in family housing type of areas as children grow in and out of clothing and toys faster then these items become unusable.

Funding and Contracting Services

Recycling, like many other campus activities is a collaborative effort. Housing departments are considered auxiliary services by many colleges and thus contract recycling services with the Campus Recycling departments.   As mentioned above, it is important for Campus Recycling to work with University Housing to design a plan that will reduce waste, streamline operations and keep costs affordable.

Colleges that have recycling incorporated into waste management, can more easily add recycling into the waste management system contract and fees.  Many schools have recycling departments that are separate from waste management, which makes it more difficult to incorporate recycling into the big picture of waste management.  Ideally under this scenario, working together with campus waste management is critical to creating a recycling service that reduces costs and services from waste management.  With recycling as a separate entity, it is difficult to convince administrators that recycling is not an extra cost but something that will reduce garbage costs and services.

Regardless, it is important to come up an efficient, cost effective recycling service while demonstrating the reduction in waste costs.  This is something that is a huge on-going challenge to college recyclers but necessary.  Somehow administrators take trash for granted and don’t scrutinize garbage service costs as it is accepted as a given.  When recycling comes along, it is highly scrutinized and viewed as an extra.

Don’t forget to stay tuned on larger events that Housing stages.  There will be opportunities to reduce and recycle waste that is beyond the daily generation.

When establishing contracted services with University Housing, work with the administration to develop or designate an administrator to oversee recycling operations, waste reduction and educational activities in Housing areas.   Make sure to meet with them regularly and stay apprised of what is going on in Housing.  Don’t get blind sided when new trash enclosures are built and they forgot to make enough room for recycling, or when they have meetings on move-outs.  Establish additional contacts and advocates within Housing such as Custodial, Off-Campus, Student Living Groups etc....

Be sure and plan ahead for future possibilities and work to streamline operations.   Track all the materials that are collected as this is valuable information to re--negotiate or justify the recycling service.  Stay in tune with the population changes in Housing as well.  If new facilities are being added or there is a record amount of students, the recycling charge will increase.   Try not to lock a set price in, but if it is locked in, add a little extra in there just to make sure not to underestimate the reality of recycling possibilities.   Don’t forget to consider that these contracted services include labor and administration including tracking and educational activities.

Education

Education is an important factor in creating an effective, well-utilized system in University Housing areas.

There are unique educational opportunities that exist in university housing.   One of the primary functions of a housing system is to provide residential populations with educational, social and cultural programs and recycling/waste reduction fits nicely into this goal.  These programs are put together by housing staff, residence leaders and volunteers.  It is these groups of students that can help incorporate recycling education and promotion into the daily life of residents.  Here are some ideas:

*Enlist the help and experience of resident assistants in developing and promoting educational events.  Utilize this leadership in addressing problems areas with residents.

*Make contact with staff from many levels Housing from decision-making administrators to enthusiastic resident assistants.  They can help with gaining an understanding of the structure of Housing and how information flows among the different areas of operation and service.

*Do regular training and staff in-service presentations from orientation to once/term refreshers.  This is especially important with the kitchen/cafeteria and other food establishment staff.

*Attend residence hall meetings to provide recycling demonstrations, answer questions and perhaps do some awards or games for motivation

*At the beginning of each school year, give each student an in-room recycling bin, refillable mug (maybe some reusable food ware), Program brochure and a guide to waste reduction in University Housing flier

*Make a variety of info. and factual table tents for cafeteria tables, change these periodically

*Do regular promotional tabling with general information, best located by cafeterias

*Make up and display posters around housing areas and in cafeterias, focus on simple concepts such as waste reduction and recycling opportunities

*Get media coverage for promotional events in Housing areas

*Submit information to Family Housing newsletters or other Housing correspondences

*Do periodic surveys to educate and also gather information

*Post charts of recycling recovery in Housing areas, thank people for their effort, let them know it makes a difference

*Food waste and napkin waste audits are very effective in creating awareness to reduce the amount of food and napkins people take....a theme and variation on this is to have your staff dress up in some kind of t-shirts or waste busters outfits (tyvek abatement suits work great!  Also lab coats with your program symbol) and go to a meal, set-up barrels in the dish area for food waste, napkins and trash.  As people come into the dish rooms, have folks (student volunteers from Housing are ideal!) instruct students to place the items in appropriate bin.  At the end of the meal, weigh and track material generated.  This is especially helpful in demonstrating waste reduction through educational activities and also garner info. for a future campaign for composting.

*Have well signed recycling areas, with easy to read posters...multi-lingual and photographic signs are especially useful in Family Housing areas

*Do regular promotional events such as waste audits and contests

Recyclemania

Ohio University started a college competition for Housing recycling areas around the country.  This can be done within a college setting as a inter campus competition or a school can compete with other schools housing areas in an intra-collegiate competition.  For more information contact Ohio University

Resources

Dump & Run
http://www.dumpandrun.org/

INFORM
http://www.informinc.org/

Ohio University Residence Hall Recycling Competition: RECYCLEMANIA
http://www.facilities.ohiou.edu/recycle/recyclemania.htm

Southern Illinois University
http://www.siue.edu/housing/misc/recycling.shtml

University of Michigan 
http://www.housing.umich.edu/services/environ/efforts.html

University of Oregon
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~recycle/housing.htm