Trash-In 2010
In fiscal year 2009 the University of Washington achieved a milestone—it diverted 54% of its waste from the landfill through its recycling and composting programs, its highest waste diversion rate ever. Reaching a 54% diversion rate indicates that the University’s existing recycling and composting programs are successful. It also means that 46% of the waste generated on campus is still getting thrown away as garbage. To identify opportunities to divert additional recyclables and compostables from being disposed of in the trash, Recycling & Solid Waste organized a mini trash sort.
The mini trash sort, dubbed “Trash-In 2010”, was held in honor of the 40th anniversary of the first Trash-In that took place on the UW campus in 1970. At the 1970 Trash-In, students collected trash from home and campus and sorted it in front of the HUB. The trash was separated into different categories, including paper, plastic, glass, and metal, and returned to the original producers for reprocessing. This event helped establish the first recycling programs on campus.
The objective of Trash-In 2010 was to increase public awareness about Recycling & Solid Waste programs and to learn how much material is still being thrown away that could have been recycled or composted.
Trash-In 2010 took place on March 3, 2010, at the Bryants Building Annex. With the assistance of Custodial Services, Recycling & Solid Waste received one day’s worth of trash from 7 designated campus buildings and then sorted it into categories that mirror the streams currently collected on campus:
- Mixed containers (including cans, bottles, plastic dairy tubs, aseptic packaging, and drink cartons)
- Mixed paper (including cardboard)
- Compostables (including food scraps and compostable serviceware)
- Other recyclables (including plastic film, Styrofoam peanuts, e.Media, and surplus items)
- Trash
Results
A total of 1,058 lbs of trash sorted into five categories—42% was compostables, 37% was trash, 11% was mixed paper, 8% was mixed containers, and 2% was other recyclables.
Data and observations from Trash-In 2010 revealed several things:
First, the success of existing waste diversion programs was re-emphasized. The low percentage of mixed paper (11%) and mixed containers (8%) found is an indication that current recycling efforts are helping to divert these materials.
Second, new opportunities for waste reduction education were identified. Of the 37% that was trash, a portion consisted of non-compostable and non-recyclable coffee cups and plastic sandwich bags—two waste materials that could be reduced or eliminated if people switched to reusable cups and lunch containers.
Finally, areas for improvement were identified. The composting program at UW is successful, diverting 1,987 tons of organics (including food waste) from the landfill last year. However, the largest portion of material sorted was compostables (42%), indicating that continued education and outreach about campus-wide composting programs and opportunities is needed.
Overall, Trash-In 2010 was a success. It was educational and reconfirmed Recycling & Solid Waste’s commitment to providing comprehensive and successful waste diversion programs, while continuing to focus on improved waste reduction education and outreach strategies.
Conclusion
The data generated from Trash-In 2010 represents an isolated snapshot of the 46% of material that is still being thrown away on campus. Recycling & Solid Waste will use this information to build upon its education and outreach in future campaigns, and plans to make trash sorts an annual event as it continues to work toward achieving the goal of diverting 60% of the University’s waste from the landfill by 2012.
Recycling & Solid Waste would like to thank the following campus partners and student volunteer organizations who helped make Trash-In 2010 successful.
- Custodial Services
- Environmental Health & Safety
- Moving & Surplus
- Purchasing
- Office of Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
- SEED
- Earth Club