University at Buffalo
OP-17: Waste Reduction

The University at Buffalo waste diversion efforts are far reaching, and include comprehensive campus-wide single stream recycling and a pre-consumer compost collection program. UB's recycling program started out in the 1970's and continued until the early 1980's before fading out from lack of interest. Recycling was re-instated in the late 1980's by a group of inspired students with University Facilities support. Their program targeted the best sites for computer and office waste paper. The paper was collected by the students and sorted at a campus loading dock. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work but it resulted in recycling only 5% of UB's solid waste stream. A few years later, the program was "institutionalized" and became the full responsibility of University Facilities paid staff. By 1995, recycling was extended to all offices on both campuses with the distribution of under-the-desk recycling bins and "trash buddies." In the meantime, Campus Living developed its own recycling program for UB residence halls. UB Campus Dining & Shops developed a recycling program for its food service areas as well. During the spring 1998 semester, six students participated in an internship which included a campus-wide dumpster dive and a study of recycling potential in UB's residence halls. The dive and study showed the potential for major improvements in campus recycling programs. During 1999 and 2000 public area recycling stations were established in select high-traffic indoor public areas on campus, e.g. lobbies, lounges, walkways. Over 100 public area stations were deployed in various locations throughout UB's two campuses in 2001. In 2011, UB consolidated its three individually managed recycling contracts into a one comprehensive contract for all areas of campus. It was also at this time, that the campus moved to single stream or All In One recycling collection to simplify the program for members of campus. This has resulted in significant improvements in promoting participation in our recycling program. Currently, UB recycles over twenty different materials on campus. UB is also committed to reducing the amount of disposable materials purchased and consumed on our campuses and has undertaken several initiatives to support this approach. Initiatives include eliminating the use of Styrofoam take-out containers in campus-run dining halls, and operating UB SWAP, a web-based program which encourages faculty and staff to keep unwanted equipment and furniture in circulation across campus.