Integrated Waste Management - What We Do…
Since the inception of the AB75 report, Sacramento State has met or exceeded the State's goal of 50% diversion, see the graph below.
The Integrated Waste Manager has set a goal of Zero Waste for the Campus. here are some of the processes currently in place that move us toward that end.
Cluster bins for outdoor bottle and can recycling were refurbished in early 2007. There are approximately 50 bins located across campus, one outside of each building.
Paper and beverage containers are collected by Sacramento Local Conservation Corps (SLCC), a non-profit program that helps young adults earn their high school diplomas while getting paid conservation work experience. Revenue from the hundreds tons of paper and beverage containers they pick up each year goes to support their program.
The SLCC also runs the on-campus Recycling Center which is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, accepting glass, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and mixed paper.
Junk furniture is dismantled and broken down into recyclable components. Even the laminated particleboard desk tops are sent to a facility that turns them into biofuel for powerplants. Metal chair legs and desk sections go to the metal recycler. All other wood, pallets, sawdust and green waste go to the same plant to be turned into compost.
Sac State has a strong E-Scrap (formerly known as E-Waste) collection program; monitors, computers, televisions, microwave ovens and other items are collected at no charge to departments and recycled.
An equally strong toner and ink cartridge recycling program is well in place with a locally owned small-business, and the University earns a small stipend for cartridges and cell phones that are recycled.
Cardboard is collected in 15 bins located throughout the campus as well as in a new compactor behind the library. Compacting the cardboard allows for fewer hauls, and therefore less fuel burned in collection. Revenue from the recycling of the cardboard offsets the University's trash bill.
Construction and demolition concrete and asphalt are taken to a facility that grinds and recovers the material for reuse. Over 1,900 tons of concrete and asphalt were diverted from the landfill in 2006.
In our residential life areas, mattresses are sent to a recycler and at the end of each semester at move-out time, useable clothing and small appliances are taken to a local women’s shelter charity.
These and many, many more items such as tires and shredded confidential documents are diverted from the landfill and recycled from Sacramento State. We are on the way to Zero Waste!
