University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

As per Sec. 10 (Waste and Recycling Management) of UT System policy UTS169 (Sustainability Practices), Approved in 2009 and last amended in 2016 : Each institution will record and monitor annual waste and recycling quantities, implement procedures to reduce campus waste, and set a goal to increase campus recycling each year. The facilities department provides containers and designated areas for recyclable materials throughout the campus. These materials are collected on a daily basis and classified on our recycle collection designated area in our facilities yard.

ITT Recycling Pilot Program - This initiative began in November 2016 in the International Trade and Technology building of UTRGV. In seven months, 400+ pounds of recyclable material was collected in the building through the use of personal recycling bins and a central recycling point in the ITT break room located at the northeast corner of the building. Emails sent to all staff in the building explained, "This is where you take your recyclable material for sorting and which will be picked up by the Facilities Department." They will take the recyclables to the weigh station and record the information (pilot project only at this time). The recyclable trash is then put in the area for pick up by the City of Edinburg. The City will be responsible for picking up the recyclable trash from the UTRGV Edinburg campus. The City will also be responsible for weighing and measuring the volume of trash and recyclables that UTRGV generates.It will provide a monthly report of metrics to UTRGV Campus Facilities Operations Department.Attached to the emails were files containing information on overall proper recycling habits, as well as what is expected from this program. The program attracted the attention of individuals from other buildings who have adopted the program voluntarily. Additionally, the UTRGV Resident Handbook encourages recycling: "In an effort to be more environmentally responsible the university has placed blue recycle bins around campus. These bins can take paper, plastic, cans, and cardboard. All students are encouraged to do their part and place items in the appropriate recycle bins. Misused of recycle bins may result in disciplinary actions." The above programs are aided by the efforts of the Environmental Sciences club and other student organizations, who place bins for paper and plastic in common areas like the Student Union and in main lobbies of academic buildings. The bins are decorated with slogans to encourage their use and signs at eye level indicate that the bins on the floor are for recycling only. Later, contents of these bins are added to UTRGV's blue recycling bins. "The IT Green Initiative" signage and website inform students about the waste that can be generated through printing, and the Organization Impact on the Environment. UTRGV students are informed about Trees Consumed, Carbon Dioxided Produced (Co2), and Total sheets of paper* used. The website also informs students how to reduce their printing use. http://www.utrgv.edu/it/go-green/index.htm The Office for Sustainability also provides incoming freshmen with a "Sustainable Dorm Life" guide that introduces 24 simple habits students can take to shift to more sustainable practices in their private and academic life, including reducing their use of non-recyclables, re-using items and containers, and recycling as a last resort and not as the default practice. Sodexo, the dining hall services provider for UTRGV, has established a global program, WasteWatch – powered by LeanPath – which helps to identify causes and define action plans to prevent waste. Sites implementing WasteWatch can reduce food waste by 45% in two to six months. UTRGV's food waste is donated or composted.

The IT Green Initiative includes information from a report of printing statistics comparing Academic year 2016-2017 to printing from Academic year 2015-2016. http://www.utrgv.edu/it/go-green/index.htm UT System Policy 169 Sec. 10 Waste and Recycling Management states that each institution will record and monitor annual waste and recycling quantities, implement procedures to reduce campus waste, and set a goal to increase campus recycling each year.

Central Receiving provides surplus property services to the University community in the most timely and efficient manner possible so as to assure that UTRGV’s assets are being used to their fullest capabilities. Surplus property (This includes furniture and technology) is picked up from offices or departments where it is no longer needed and stored in university warehouses until it is needed elsewhere in the university.

The UTRGV Library hosts a book exchange during National Library Week. Students are encouraged to bring books to donate and take books that were donated by other students, free of charge.

Students do not have unlimited printing. On the first day of class students will receive 250 credits and another 250 credits will be issued after the census date (13th class day). At this time, students will not be able to request additional credits. Cost of printing is: B&W Single-sided 1 Credit B&W Double-sided 0.5 Credit Color Single-sided 2 Credits Color Double-sided 3 Credits IT guides to reduce printing are available on their website and printed and displayed next to printers: http://www.utrgv.edu/it/faqs/wireless-printing/index.htm "How can I reduce my printing use?" Proofread what you are about to print so you will not need to reprint due to typos. Always print preview your work before submitting it to print. Only print pages needed. You can specify which pages to print in the page-range area of the print window. Use single or 1½ spacing instead of double spacing, and reduce the page margins. Avoid printing email messages & web pages directly from the internet. Copy and paste the text you need into a Word document. Send and save documents electronically instead of printing out hard copies. If you are printing a PowerPoint presentation print it in outline view. Use campus copiers to make multiple copies of a document. Duplexing is possible on many campus printers and photocopiers. It only takes a few extra seconds to get two to four pages printed on one piece of paper

Annual course catalogs are not printed and are available online only via the university website: http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/academics/catalogs/index.htm

As described in the UTRGV Resident Handbook, "Abandoned Property" defined as personal effects and other property of value that has been abandoned and not claimed within 30 days, may be retained by the department as its property or may be disposed of through sales, donations, or in such a manner as the department in its sole discretion may determine. This encourages students to remove all of their own property when moving out. Additionally, student sustainability dorm guides encourage students to donate unwanted items when moving out and to seek out second-hand furniture when moving in.

Obsolete assets are disposed based on the Texas Comptroller’s State Property Accounting guidelines. Below are the circumstances by which as asset can be disposed:  Auctioned (Sale of property)  Donated (to charitable organizations)  Sent to Texas Department of Criminal Justice (disposal of data processing equipment)  Stolen (a Missing/Stolen Property Form and police report will be required)  Missing for two consecutive years (a Missing/Stolen Property Form and police report will be required) All required support documentation will be kept and filed in the Assets Management department.

UTRGV’s strategies on waste minimization work towards the sustainable goal of sustainable communities and responsible consumption by reducing the total amount of waste generated and diverting materials from the landfill by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling.