• New Bins.  Money was allocated to purchase recycling bins for campus academic buildings. A new shipment of replacement bins arrived as well; a volunteer group of students and staff helped complete labeling and placement efforts of these bins. (To see photos of the labeling event click here.).  By the end of the summer 2007, all buildings were upgraded to the new recycling bins. 
      
• Continuation of Pilot Recycling Programs:
  • W.B. Young Building Pilot Program:
    • The recycling pilot in the Young Building began its second semester and desksides were reported to be heavily used due to their convenience.
    • A survey of the workers in the building reports that the "new recycling containers and guidelines [are] helpful in understanding which materials can be recycled and where these materials should be placed."  Specifically mentioned were the slotted openings which make it easy to distinguish between containers. An overwhelming percentage of those surveyed believe that the pilot should be expanded.  
         
  • North Dining Hall Pilot Program:
    • The pilot site of North Dining Hall shows a drastic increase in newspaper recycling. Key to this was the training of the Dining Services staff in collection and disposal of newspapers left on tables.
         
• New Pilot Programs Added.  Recycling pilots were planned for the Co-op, Library and the new Student Union. 
  • Figures tracking the waste stream for these 3 locations are exclusive and therefore results will clearly exhibit the impact of the pilot programs.
  • The Student Union exchanged 68 pairs of bins throughout the building before the end of the Spring 2007 semester. The SU directors also committed to an educational program that will continue for both staff and patrons of the SU.
    Click here to learn more about the Student Union's Recycling initiaitves.
       
• Electronics recycling.  An exploratory electronics recycling program was started. Vendor interviews were initiated for potential purchases of bottle deposit machines in campus apartments.

     

      

  2005-2006:

    

• Waste Audit and Campus Assessment
  • The Storrs campus recycling audit was completed and recycling program practices were analyzed and improved.
    

  

Above: "Hockey-Stick" Waste Audit: W.B Young Building

• Researched recycling systems of peer institutions to develop a proposal for an economically and aesthetically suitable system at UConn.
• Evaluated locations on campus where the bin system could be implemented.
• Identified target residential areas that are least compliant with the existing recycling standards and Willimantic Waste's expectations. 
  • Developed a plan to improve communications between the custodial staff, Willimantic Waste and the residents of those areas to improve participation and compliance.
  • Willimantic Waste began to regularly provide the Office of Environmental Policy with waste and recycling figures with as much breakdown as possible, to better quantify improvements in participation.
• Ensured the bulk transfer of goods is as efficient as possible, by requiring that all vendors must either deliver their goods in shrink-wrapping or if in cardboard, recycle the packaging containers themselves.
  • Determined the waste reduction resulting from recent demands that furniture companies delivering to the University must shrink-wrap all incoming furniture deliveries.
• Worked with the Athletics Department to develop and implement a continuing campus-wide sneaker recycling program.
• Determined the waste reduction resulting from the existing electronics pickups at the Central Warehouse.
• Worked with departments and offices throughout campus to increase the use of personal desk-side recycling bins and to potentially coordinate a Recycling Council to improve communications regarding recycling related issues.
• Determined the need for a full-time Recycling Coordinator on campus and identified an appropriate department to locate the position.
• Worked with the Building and Grounds Committee to encourage the inclusion of waste reduction and recycling efficiency standards for the design protocol of all new construction and renovation projects.
  • The cost of personal and large recycling containers should be accounted for in the initial budgets of these projects, possibly as "interior furniture" needs.
• Worked with Residential Life to improve recycling education and participation in the Residence Halls by offering training workshops to the Community Assistants regarding programming options.

 

  

  2004-2005:

  

• Town of Mansfield's Festival on the Green.  EcoHusky volunteers helped ensure the event was a low-waste event by providing festival go-ers with instructions regarding proper recycling and composting procedures.
• Daily Campus 2-Day Recycling Contest.  Challenged the university community to recycle more newspapers than ever in a two-day period. 
• Move Out Program.  The first annual move-out campaign led to over 2500lbs of clothing, goods and non-perishable food that otherwise would have entered the trash stream!
• Recycling Education Postering Project.  Posters and student outreach initiatives to kick off campus-wide awareness for revamping recycling program
• Campus-wide Student Survey