University of Nebraska - Lincoln
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Education on responsible waste reduction and disposal habits is a key focus for the Office of Sustainability (OS). Initially begun as part of the currently in progress All in the Hall Recycling Program (Previously the Recycling Pilot Project initiated in December 2020), the OS has educated UNL community members regarding how to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Right at UNL and its importance to the interconnected campus community and its operations. This has been accomplished through a variety of outreach and education events, described below.

All in the Hall Recycling Program: As part of the program, a variety of methods have been used to communicate Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling Right on campus, especially within buildings participating in the buildings with the All in the Hall program. Digital signage was created to be displayed on screens throughout the original pilot buildings. Throughout the phased implementation of the All in the Recycling Program, buildings that receive stations will also be sent digital signage to display. The digital signage graphic explains the process of transporting individual waste items to centralized waste stations and provides information on where additional resources can be found. The digital signage has been running since February 2021. A video series promoted on social media was created and published over a number of weeks during the Spring 2021 semester. These brief, engaging videos (10 total), inspired by current social media trends such as on TikTok and Instagram Reels, were aimed at educating UNL community members on their frequently asked questions regarding recycling. Examples include how to properly dispose of common beverage containers on campus, what to do with plastic films, shredded paper, and cardboard, the importance of only recycling empty, clean and dry items, and what plastics are accepted for recycling on campus. The videos were cross promoted by UNL Association of Students at the University of Nebraska (ASUN) student government on their social media channels. Total estimated reach of the series is 4795 individuals. TO advertise and spread awareness of the program in the Fall of 2022, the Office of Sustainability partnered with UNL's Communication and Marketing team (UCOMM). UCOMM produced two information videos that covered topics related to properly using the stations, what items are accepted in each stream, and other tips to ensure proper recycling. The videos were shared in the universities newsletter, through the Office of Sustainability's social media (1885 estimated views), and through the university's Mediahub (237 estimated views). UCOMM also published four articles describing the program throughout 2020 to 2022 in Nebraska Today, UNL's central news and information hub. Waste audits have been conducted periodically throughout the Pilot Project and All in the Hall program. Collaboration with undergraduate classes to conduct waste audits has provided another avenue to promote the message of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Right at UNL. During classroom waste audits, students are exposed to hands on learning related to how to properly dispose of waste items on campus, as they are tasked with sorting waste collected from buildings included in the recycling programs. Since implementation of the Pilot Project, the OS has partnered with three separate classes to conduct waste audits, engaging 100 students in how to reduce, reuse, and recycle right at UNL.

Earthstock Block Party (April 2021 & 2022): Held annually in April, Earthstock is a month-long celebration of the planet and Earth day, sponsored by UNL’s Association of Students at the University of Nebraska (ASUN) student government in partnership with a variety campus partners. The Earthstock celebration includes a block party, held on the centrally located Nebraska Union greenspace, and brings together UNL departments, student organizations, and community groups focused on sustainability. OS staff participated in the 2021 celebration by hosting a table at the Block Party and engaging with UNL community members (estimated 50 individuals) through conversations, a waste sorting activity, and distribution of reusable grocery bags and water bottles. In 2022, the OS also hosted a table at the Block Party and engaged with UNL community members (estimated 50 individuals) through recycling education and promoting waste reduction and reuse through offering reusable grocery bags.

Big Red Welcome Street Festival (August 2021 & 2022): Part of New Student Enrollment welcome activities, the Big Red Welcome Street Festival event, is held in the Stadium Loop area of campus the Sunday prior to the first day of the fall semester. Big Red Welcome is a well known and loved event within the UNL community that provides opportunities for students to interact with campus departments, registered student organizations, and community organizations. During the street festival in 2021 and 2022, the OS sponsored a table and engaged students in how to reduce, reuse, and recycle right at UNL and provided general campus sustainability information. Students were engaged in recycling education through a waste sorting activity. Students were asked to make decisions about how to properly dispose of waste items commonly found on campus utilizing a waste station (same as what is being utilized in buildings participating in the All in the Hall Recycling Program) on site. Participating students received a reusable water bottle or reusable bag to further encourage reducing waste on campus through reuse. The street festival is attended by thousands of first-year students at UNL.

Sustainability Summit Myths and Misconceptions event (September 2021): During the OS’s 2021 Sustainability Summit, held annually and aimed at engaging the UNL community in sustainability education, one of the events held was aimed at dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding sustainability. Planned by an OS undergraduate intern, this event collected questions from UNL students ahead of time and then brought together a curated panel of experts to answer students’ questions and dispel the common myths and misconceptions. There was significant interest in waste and recycling, so the owner of the local material recovery facility who receives UNL’s recyclables was a panelist. They provided expert information regarding the recycling process, end markets, and how to reduce, reuse, and recycle right at UNL. This session has an attendance of 50 individuals.

Presentations (ongoing): The OS has been actively engaged in providing information regarding how to reduce, reuse, and recycle right at UNL through formal presentations to a variety of groups on campus. Four examples include- a presentation to ASUN senators (November 2021, estimated 50 attendees), a presentation as part of CESRC Lunch and Learn series (January 2022, estimated 30 attendees) presentation to Sustain UNL (February 2022, estimated 20 attendees), and a presentation at the All Staff Conference (May 2022, estimated 20 attendees).

Additionally, the Office of Sustainability has taken part in a variety of tabling events in the fall of 2022, while focusing on spreading awareness of the All in the Hall Recycling Program, and proper recycling habits. For example, the OS participated in the Employee Wellness fair (October 2022, estimated 120 attendees), graduate student welcome (August 2022, estimated 50 attendees), Bikefest (September 2022, estimated 40 attendees), Oasis - Allow me to Introduce Myself (September 2022, 30 attendees), and the SustainUNL Kickoff (September 2022, estimated 50 participants).

The videos were cross promoted by UNL Association of Students at the University of Nebraska (ASUN) student government on their social media channels. Total estimated reach of the series is 4795 individuals. The two videos created by UNL's Communication and Marketing team were shared in the universities newsletter, through the Office of Sustainability's social media (1885 estimated views), and through the university's Mediahub (237 estimated views).

Since implementation of the Pilot Project, the OS has partnered with three separate classes to conduct waste audits, engaging around 100 students in how to reduce, reuse, and recycle right at UNL.

OS staff participated in the 2021 Earthstock celebration by hosting a table at the Block Party and engaging with UNL community members (estimated 50 individuals) through conversations, a waste sorting activity, and distribution of reusable grocery bags and water bottles. In 2022, the OS also hosted a table at the Block Party and engaged with UNL community members (estimated 50 individuals) through recycling education and promoting waste reduction and reuse through offering reusable grocery bags.

At the Big Red Welcome Street Festival students were engaged in recycling education through a waste sorting activity. Students were asked to make decisions about how to properly dispose of waste items commonly found on campus utilizing a waste station (same as what is being utilized in buildings participating in the All in the Hall Recycling Program) on site. Participating students received a reusable water bottle or reusable bag to further encourage reducing waste on campus through reuse. The street festival is attended by thousands of first-year students at UNL.

At the 2021 Sustianbiltiy Summit, there was significant interest in waste and recycling, so the owner of the local material recovery facility who receives UNL’s recyclables was a panelist. They provided expert information regarding the recycling process, end markets, and how to reduce, reuse, and recycle right at UNL. This session has an attendance of 50 individuals.

Additionally, the Office of Sustainability has taken part in a variety of tabling events, as described above, and is estimated to have engaged with around 300 university community members.

Designed and implemented in 2021, the Sustainability on Wheels program is intended to provide an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn about sustainable practices and initiatives at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This campaign encourages UNL community members, specifically faculty and staff, to adopt sustainable practices and lifestyles. The program travels to each academic college to offer convenient events to UNL personnel. At the events, faculty and staff have the opportunity to meet and make connections with UNL campus partners who are sustainability experts in their respective fields. Campus partners provide information on their department, how their department contributes to a more sustainable campus, and how faculty and staff can personally help support these sustainability initiatives. Subject experts from different UNL entities participating in the project include Environmental Health and Safety, Utilities Services, Custodial Services, Integrated Pest Management, Landscape Services, Parking and Transit Services, Waste Management and Recycling, and University Facilities. Faculty and staff participating in the events have the option to sign a pledge committing to support sustainability initiatives. The pledges are varied across partners, so participants can select actions or habit changes that pertain to their interests. Sustainability on Wheels attendees are encouraged to celebrate their commitment to practicing sustainability behaviors on campus through a photo booth, complete with Sustainability on Wheels branded props.

In 2022 Sustainability on Wheels information was also translated into a presentation format due to interest from UNL departments (i.e. Nebraska Alumni Association). The interactive presentation outlines the different campus partners, how the partners contribute to sustainability on campus, and how the participating faculty and staff can support these partners. Participants are again encouraged to sign a pledge and commit to supporting sustianability initiatives.

To date, events have been held with four academic colleges and around 30 UNL community members have participated. A presentation was also delivered to the Nebraska Alumni Presentation, with an estimated 10 participants. This program is ongoing, with additional events scheduled with colleges throughout 2022. More information about the program can be found via https://sustainability.unl.edu/

To date, events have been held with four academic colleges and around 30 UNL community members have participated.

The presentation format was also delivered to staff from the Nebraska Alumni Association (an estimated 10 participants).