A major expansion is underway on campus with new capital funding and research projects in the works. CU’s Student Union and President’s Office, Boulder County, the Governor’s office, and the E.P.A. have committed their support recently to maximize CU Recycling’s impact.

On campus, a capital improvement campaign is on track to recycle almost fifty percent of CU’s waste stream. Notably, a new cardboard recycling system is already collecting eight cubic yards per week from each campus dining hall. It was pressed into service during residence hall move-in last month and compacted more than seven tons of cardboard boxes and delivered the material to the new county recycling facility. Boulder County augmented Student Government funding with a $10,000 grant for the new truck and collection bins. Collection and disposal costs to the University have decreased as a result.

Another capital improvement plans to divert food waste from campus. The Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation recently funded CU Recycling to share its results with the State. Student researchers have begun compiling the technical and financial information for institutions like universities, hospitals, and correctional facilities to convert this waste to a value-added fertilizer. A state-wide composting summit will be held on campus in January to discuss CU’s findings and recommendations.

The emerging problem of “e-waste” will also be tackled this year by student researchers. The Environmental Protection Agency has funded CU to recommend reuse and recycling options for computers and electronics. Regulations will soon require businesses and institutions to change their disposal methods for this toxic part of the waste stream. CU’s President’s Office, the State Office of Economic Development, and the Corporation for National Service are assisting the project.

These projects reflect the commitment campus leaders and recycling experts believe is needed to reach recycling’s potential on campus while serving constituencies around the state. Of the improvements, Jack DeBell, Director of the CU Recycling said, “these are exciting opportunities for academic leadership. Students are genuinely concerned about these topics and are now enabled to make important contributions to CU’s Facilities Management and Housing departments, as well as to citizens and businesses around the state.”

Person-by-person and pound-by-pound, CU is making a difference. An e-mail list server is available to get periodic updates from the program. For more information, contact CU Recycling at 303-492-8307 or cure@stripe.colorado.edu.