Waste Reduction

The mini-bin reminds office workers that UofL can recycle most everything!

"Having conducted about 200 Tap Water Challenges on campus, I have found that about 88% of the time, students prefer the taste of Louisville Tap to Aquafina (which is simply tap water from Indiana) or Kroger bottled water (tap water from Virginia)!"
- Bess McLaughlin, UofL Senior, Spring 2011

The University of Louisville is taking a variety of steps to reduce the amount of waste generated on campus and to divert a greater percentage of our waste from going to landfills. In 2011, UofL kept 3,636,403 pounds, or 42.9%, of our waste out of the landfill! Diversion programs include extensive recycling, reuse, composting, waste minimization, and other landfill diversion programs from the classroom to the construction site.

Remember that the famous “Three Rs” are in order of priority: Reduce, Reuse…THEN Recycle! Learn why at: http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Reduce...

UofL students in GRASS (Group Recycling And Sustainable Solutions) have helped change the disposable culture on campus through awareness raising campaigns such as "dumpster dives."

• Drink Louisville's award winning tap water instead of bottled water.
• If you must print, use both sides! As of Spring 2011, all UofL Uniprint Stations will now automatically print double-sided! This should reduce our paper consumption by about 30,000 pages per month!
  

• Bring reusable shopping bags instead of accepting new paper or plastic bags.

• At mealtimes, use reusable items like mugs, cups, utensils, cloth napkins and towels rather than disposable products. If you're headed out, bring your own!

• Use reusable filters instead of disposable ones in your furnace, coffeemaker, etc.

• Use rechargeable batteries rather than disposables.
  

• Avoid unnecessary purchases and excess packaging. Buy in bulk.
• Save some money and the planet by first seeking used and pre-owned items before shopping for new. UofL departments can freely exchange durbable items like furniture and equipment for reuse through UofL Surplus.

• Chemical Waste Minimization
• Unwanted Mail Reduction

Reuse...

Members of the UofL community are encouraged to seek creative ways to see that durable items are reused. This helps save money, reduces the amount of waste we send to the landfill, and reduces the environmental impact of producing and transporting new goods.

• UofL's surplus property exchange program allows departments to freely swap reusable items like office furniture and equipment.
• UofL's online materials exchange board allows staff and faculty to post and search for reusable items such as excess packing/shipping materials, office supplies, furniture, vehicles, lab equipment, computer and audio/visual equipment, athletic equipment, and more! Login here.
  
• Students are encouraged to exchange useful items like electronics, office supplies, furniture, clothing and more through the Swap Shop hosted at the end of the year by Housing & Residence Life. Look for signs and promotional announcements as you think about moving out!
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  What's a "Big Belly"?
  In 2012, UofL launched a new partnership with the Gaia Movement to collect used clothes and shoes in light green bins set up around Belknap campus. The Gaia Movement is a non-profit organization which promotes environmentally sustainable practices locally through the reuse of clothes while supporting and funding on‐going environmental and community development projects around the world. The proceeds from Gaia’s clothing sales are used to co-fund several environmental projects in Africa and India. Gaia funds the Connect International Project which provides access to water and sanitation through low cost technologies in Mozambique and Zambia. Gaia also co-funds the Pumps for Life project in Zambia, the Biofuels project in Guinea Bissau, the Eco-Service Center and the Solar Energy project in India, all of which help empower poor farming communities. Additionally, Gaia continues to donate toys and books to children in need and winter coats to the homeless.
  

...THEN Recycle!

• From magazines to batteries...learn about all the things which can be recycled at UofL here.

• Organic wastes can be "recycled," too! You can now compost your own organics on campus at the Garden Commons, which set up four rolling compost bins next to the greenhouse behind the Cultural Center in 2011! UofL has been turning campus grounds waste into valuable compost and mulch for many years. UofL's research facilities also generate about 400 tons/year of waste animal bedding. This used to be sent to the landfill, but in February 2012, UofL began sending this waste stream to the Earth First composting facility, where it is turned into an environmentally-responsible soil amendment. In July 2010, UofL volunteers began on-site composting of food waste from our dining facility kitchens and in March 2012, UofL established a new sub-contract with Blue Skies Recycling for collection and twice-weekly pick-up of all food wastes from UofL dining facilities, including both pre- and post-consumer food wastes, meats, bones, and dairy-products.
  - UofL Green Scene: Composters Wanted
  - Learn why We Need Compost! (video)