University of Alaska Anchorage
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

The recycling program includes students that are hired on to pick up the many recycle bins located on campus property. Recycling of paper, cardboard, plastics and metals on campus was instituted in 2007 or 2008 by students on campus. In 2008, recycling was limited to paper and cardboard because bottles and cans were not being processed correctly. In Fall Semester 2010, we started a recycling education campaign to instruct students what can be recycled and how to properly prepare recycled materials. Spring Semester, we placed bins so students could recycle plastics, aluminum and steel cans.

The recycle crew diverted over 309,417 pounds from the landfill in the FY 14 fiscal year. 1350 lbs. Aluminum 454 lbs. Other metals 4152 lbs. Plastics 262,812 lbs. Paper 30,945 lbs. Cardboard 1322 lbs. Glass 272 lbs. Batteries 8110 lbs. Compost

Sustainability is always held in April around Earth Day. Each day of the week promotes a different type of responsibility about how to be sustainable. A partnership between the Office of Sustainability, Green Fee Board and Sustainability Club, highlights and promotes sustainability initiatives on campus, with the goal of getting more people involved. Each day will center on one of four themes: reducing/reusing/recycling, local foods, clean energy and bikes. The weeklong celebration will be the largest yet planned by any of the three groups. In the past, the groups would typically host one or two standalone events around Earth Day. But Earth Day happens to fall on April 22, a time when campus isn’t focused on much else besides finals.

We feel that the activities and the education provided created many positive outcomes, they were not evaluated after the events. These are the topics that were covered during the week Reduce/Reuse/Recycle Day (Monday, April 7) Anchorage Museum’s Maegan Cieciel presents “Crafting Plastic Trash with the Anchorage Museum” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Union Learn creative ways to reuse plastics and keep them out of landfills. Chronicles of Yarnia Yarn Exchange 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Union Join UAA’s knitting club for a yarn exchange. Recycolympics 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Union Compete in recycling games and win prizes. EcoChic Fashion Show 12-2 p.m. in the Student Union Come see the great outfits you can find at thrift and consignment stores or make from recycled, reclaimed, re-purposed or reborn material. Registration for this event is still open. Sign up today for a chance to win prizes. “Trashed” 2-3 p.m. in the Student Union Watch a free showing of the movie “Trashed,” a documentary following Jeremy Irons through once beautiful destinations that are now converted to landfills. Local Foods Day (Tuesday, April 8) Local Food Week at the Den Monday-Thursday, April 7-10, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Local foods will be served throughout the week at the Daily Den. Eating Locally in Alaska 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Student Union, Lyla Richards Conference Room Saskia Esslinger from Williams Street Farmhouse will discuss how you can be more sustainable by eating local foods. Sustainable Choices: Local & Healthy Soup Sampling 12-1 p.m. in the Student Union, Upper Level Kristin Donaldson, who is Alaskan, vegan and gluten-free, will host a gluten-free and vegan soup tasting. Sprout Workshop 3-4 p.m. in the Student Union, Lyla Richards Conference Room Attend this hands-on experience to learn how to grow sprouts in your own home. Clean Energy Day (Wednesday, April 9) For the Love of Salmon 10-11:30 a.m. in the Student Union, Den Enjoy local foods in the Den as special guests share their stories about climate change and it’s impact on Alaska’s favorite resource. Then, stop by the carbon footprint calculator to see what impact you’re making and how you can improve it. Nature Walk 11:30-12:45 p.m. Meet in front of the USUAA Office. Join Jamie Trammell, assistant professor of environmental studies, as he leads a Nature Walk from the Student Union to Goose Lake and back, pointing out birds and connecting trail systems, and possibly using an infrared camera to show the energy our buildings are losing during the hike. Clean Energy Workshop 2:30-3:45 p.m. in the Student Union, Leadership Lab Katie Marquette from Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) will present ways to reduce your energy consumption habits. Sustainability Club presents “Dirty Business” 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307 “Dirty Business” is a documentary about the negative impacts of coal on our environment. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion about clean and dirty energy use. Bike Day (Thursday, April 10) 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Cuddy Quad Come to the Bike Share Bike Demo–bring a helmet and join others for a cruise around campus on the program’s yellow bikes. Also, Off the Chain will host bike maintenance workshops and Ann Schlapia with the Municipality of Anchorage will present on bike safety.

America Recycles Day is a campaign that the University sponsors for staff, faculty, and students to bring in their used electronics to recycle safely through a local company. At the last event over 7,000. pounds of electronics were diverted from the landfills.

Possible use internships instead of either recycling program or sustainability week. http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ges/Opportunities/opportunities.cfm