A policy is a written course of action adopted by an organization designed to influence and determine decisions.  With that said, it is a good thing to have a campus environmental policy.  Policies formalize a university commitment while supporting existing campus environmental efforts and inspiring further environmental stewardship.  There is  a perception that policies, like laws, are worthless unless they are enforced.  Policies are a valuable mechanism for building bridges and ultimately to protect campus environmental programs.

Many colleges and universities are developing policies that encourage waste reduction, recycling and general environmental stewardship.  These policies are often called recycling, sustainability or environmental policies. A strategy is to develop a comprehensive campus environmental policy as an umbrella for development of future sub-policies.

Policy implementation involves notification and follow-through, but ultimately it takes education and making conservation the practice not the exception.  When making policies, make sure to provide the tools needed to make the policies successful.  MAKE CONSERVATION THE RULE AND WASTE THE EXCEPTION!!

How to develop a campus environmental policy:

1)     find out how the campus is governed

There may be a clear path to having a policy written and approved or the path may be very complicated. 

2)    enlist the Campus Environmental Issues Committee to help create environmental policies

3)     research other campus environmental policies

4)     determine what type of policy to create: a general policy or a comprehensive policy

5)     if there is a law that backs up the need for a policy, site the law in the policy 

6)     submit the policy for approval

It will be up to the administration and the board of directors to approve the policy.

7)     make a plan to implement the policy 

This plan can be a part of the policy or not.  It can be a separate document submitted with the actual policy or not.  Include the following:

a.     purpose

b.     detail description of goals and strategies for implementation

c.     education ideas

8)     make sure to follow up, review and update the policy

9)  Student Government, can also have a big effect on the administration by passing campus "bills" that support starting or improving recycling programs, buying recycled products or increasing student fees for recycling

10)  do continual reminders and education annually, to remind campus about these important campus environmental policies 

IMPLEMENTATION COMES FROM EDUCATION!

In summary, campus environmental policies, make for a strong advocate for campus recycling programs.

Resources

Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF)
http://www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires.html

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
http://iisd.ca/educate/default.htm 

Second Nature
http://www.secondnature.org/ 

Uedge.org
http://www.bigtenu.org/ 

UO Comprehensive Environmental Policy
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~recycle/Pol_Compre.htm

UO Confidential Materials Policy
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~recycle/Pol_confidential.htm

UO Recycled Paper Policy
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~recycle/Pol_Recpaper.htm

UO Sustainable Development Guidelines
PDF Document