California State University, Sacramento
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

An audit of 54 trash receptacles from all around campus was conducted to determine what percentage of recyclable content is being thrown away in trash cans. The audit included single stand alone bins and cluster bins that appear in a pair next to a recycling bin. Organized by the Sustainability Department, students conducted the audit, in the middle of campus in the Library Quad for maximum exposure and was directed at students to be a visual learning tool of how their choices of which can to choose can make a big impact. Signage was used to target student passersby of what was occurring, including categories of content being examined, what the event was and sustainability staff was on hand to answer any questions of students passing by wondering what we were doing. Observations: 1. Nearly 20%, or 1 in 5 lbs., of materials discarded in exterior trash cans at Sac State is a recyclable product under current system. 2. Of the material that was ultimately recycled, hard plastics accounted for 43.8%. (Hard Plastics are defined as all plastics 1-7 that were not plastic bags nor liners) 3. The difference of recyclable content thrown away into stand-alone receptacles versus cluster bins is only 1%. 4. A significant portion of the refuse materials (food, soiled napkins, soiled non-coated paper cups, etc.) appeared compostable in nature. 5. Most of the hard plastic gathered appeared to be cold, beverage cups (including lids and straws) and individually portioned snack/meal containers. 6. Many paper/cardboard materials that may have been unsoiled and thusly, recyclable, may have been soiled by recent rainfall.

The positive impacts that came of the audit results were a change in the type of signage placed at the recycling and trash bins around campus to help as a educational guidance tool for students as they make a choice as to which bin they will place their items in. Additionally, the residential Dining Commons has since implemented a pre and post consumer food waste composting program because one of our biggest findings was a great deal of materials in the trash bin could be composted. Plans to expand organic composting campus wide is currently in planning stages.

This program opens up some of the University’s recycling avenues to the staff and faculty of the Sac State community. The Recycling department collects certain materials from campus offices and even some personal items brought from home for recycling. The event allows for departments to de-clutter their work environment. Departments that have previously participated in this campaign include Facilities Management, the Social Work Department, and the Chemistry Department.

This campaign promoted recycling education and awareness among faculty and staff; Additionally, the campaign collected 3,010 lbs of recyclable material!