University of Wisconsin-River Falls
OP-23: Waste Diversion

UWRF utilizes a single-stream recycling process to make recycling easier. Additionally, UWRF has a surplus property program that is continually growing. UWRF repurposes equipment and items back campus departments as often as possible. The items that are not able to be used on campus are then sold through surplus sales. UWRF has also started to use online auctions to sell specialty equipment and higher value items to divert these items from landfills. Any items that are not sold are then donated to area non-profit organizations. The goal of the surplus program is to reuse and sell as many items as possible to increase the diversion rate. The University Center and Residential Halls are participating collection sites for Call2Recycle. Call2Recycle collects rechargeable batteries and cellphones in a no-cost recycling program in the United States. They convert the waste into a variety of re-usable products and materials. The program meets or exceeds the most rigorous recycling standards in the world. http://www.call2recycle.org/how-program-works/#sthash.IF54YceU.dpuf The Division of Technology Services is committed to the sustainable reuse of our older campus-owned equipment. We have several programs in place to deal with older equipment which is considered no longer usable as primary computing devices or peripherals. As equipment ages and is pulled out of our rotation our first step is to evaluate the possibility of refurbishing and reusing as secondary computing equipment. Many times for student workers or as requested by departments for secondary use. If the equipment is no longer able to be reused on campus we then proceed to evaluate for possible resale. Facilities Management holds a monthly surplus sale and we work closely to provide older computers at fair market value. This equipment is typically older than 5 years and has outlived its usefulness on campus. To see the Facilities Surplus webpage and subscribe to their email list, or visit the web page https://www.uwrf.edu/Facilities/SurplusProperty/Sales-and-Auctions.cfm Lastly we recycle any equipment deemed "not-saleable" with an approved electronics recycling organization. Depending on the quantity and make up of our e-waste, we have contracted with Universal Recycling Technologies (URT) or Heartland Business Solutions (HBS). We receive a certificate of recycling stating the number of lbs. of equipment we send which goes to reduce our campus’ carbon footprint. URT and HBS both check to make sure all traces of data are wiped (we do as well before sending to them). For 2015, Bill Connolly, UWRF Farm Director, reports 340 yards of compost were sold, while an additional 375 yards of compost were put back onto the farm fields (a total of 715 cubic yards of compost). The compost consists mainly of wood shavings and cornstalk animal bedding as well as solid manure. The Farm employs windrow/aerobic composting. It was sold to the public at $33/yard (2015 price). Joe McIntosh reports also that 120 cubic yards of yard waste is collected annually from campus grounds as reported in our Annual Recycling report. Together, the information from the farm and from the grounds department is 835 cubic yards. Using a conversion chart with the assumption of 4 cubic yards/ton (clippings, leaves, and brush), it would equate to 208.75 tons of material composted in 2015.

There are many notable efforts held throughout the campus in any given year that collect food for the local Food Shelf. Door to door gathering, collection sites, and donation required events are held throughout the year. One of the more notable collection efforts occurs in the Residence Halls at the time of move out each Spring. During student move-out, "Don't Throw It, Donate It" residence hall collection program encourages students to donate clothing, miscellaneous items and nonperishable food as they move out of the halls for the year. Donations are then given to Treasures of the Heart, Second Chances and the River Falls Food Pantry. Sponsored by the Leadership Development and Service Committee, Residence Life and the Friends of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Student Organization, the program is designed to give students the opportunity to give back to the community and be sustainable in lieu of throwing items into the dumpster. This event has been occurring annually since 2004.

None currently.

None currently.

UW-River Falls completes an annual recycling report each year noting all items diverted from landfills. The below information is from the 2015 annual recycling report: RECYCLED MATERIAL Single Stream (Comingled) Recyclables Includes confidential shredding, aluminum, steel, glass, plastic containers, office paper, magazines, newsprint, & cardboard .…………………..................................188.53 Tons Large Lead Acid Batteries …………………………………….………....11 Units Small Lead Acid Batteries …………………………………..................420 Pounds Rechargeable Batteries (Cell Phone & Small Tool) …………………80 Pounds Waste Tires ……………………………………………………..................26 Units Waste Oil ………………………………………………………………………265 Gallons Oil Filters ………………………………………………………………………300 Units Scrap Metal ………………………………………………….....................14.80 Tons Computer Components (CPUs & Laptops) ………………................0.47 Tons Other E-Waste ………………………………………………………………..7.39 Tons Major Appliances …………………………………………………………….26 Units Fluorescent Light Bulbs ……………………………………...................7,803 Units Incandescent and HID Light Bulbs ………………………………………366 Units Photographic Fixer ………………………………………….....................40 Gallons Pallets ……………………………………………………….........................117 Units Beneficial Reuse of Power Plant Fly and Bottom Ash ……………….45 Tons Composted Yard Materials (estimated) ……………………................120 Yards Chipped Yard Materials (estimated) ……………………………………..90 Yards Food Grease ……………………………………………………………………294,750 Gallons Veggie Oil ……………………………………………………………………….895 Gallons PCB Ballasts …………………………………………………………………….672 Units UWRF also started dry cell battery recycling in 2015. The first pickup will be reported in 2016! The above numbers are reported from the best information available at the end of each calendar year. If you have any questions or concerns with this report, or you are aware of something else that should be reported, please contact mark.klapatch@uwrf.edu.