UI Waste Characterization Study The UI field guide for conducting C A M P U S W A S T E S O R T S Volume Reduction Recycling and Reuse Energy Recovery Reducing Our Carbon Footprint … Providing baseline data for better environmental decisions

Waste Study Objectives Gathering data through a field sort will help us act on….. Reducing waste sent to landfill Recycling program marketing to the campus community Recycling program planning Recycling program enhancement Obtain information for new program costs Planning for locations for indoor and outdoor containers

Specific Objectives for the Campus Field Sort 1.Assessing Outdoor Container Waste –Traffic patterns and user waste disposal trends –Help define locations for plastics collection –Help define target audiences for marketing message 2.Assessing Individual Facility Waste –College and departmental generation of waste –Classroom and research differentiation –Help define locations and types of indoor collection containers –Help define source of generation for reduction targets 3.Assessing General UI Waste Stream –Long range planning tool –Marketing message to campus community –Baseline data for performance measurement

UI Waste Characterization Study Outdoor Trash Container Samples Pentacrest, Fieldhouse, IMU, Kautz Plaza or other highly visible locations Waste Sorting Tables RRR WR Key to Waste Sort Process: W = Waste R = Recycle O = People (Green) Things to Sort: Plastics # Metals Regular Paper Office Paper Chipboard Food Waste & packaging Non- recyclable waste SORT BY WEIGHT AND VOLUME Plastic Bags of Waste 1.Trash from outdoor containers is staged on location by grounds crew or students. 2.Student and staff volunteers sort waste into pre-defined categories. 3.Sorted materials are weighed and measured by volume. 4.Audit forms are populated with data. 5.Report is compiled for each study category or location. 6.Marketing and communications messages created by student organizations from analyzed data. 7.Involve Student Video Productions and DITV on site. RR Outdoor tent in high visibility location # 1 30 – 60 Samples Needed!

UI Waste Characterization Study Main Library Dock Facility Layout Recycle Roll-off Waste Dumpster Waste Sorting Tables RRR WR Key to Waste Sort Process: W = Waste R = Recycle O = People (Green) Things to Sort: Plastics # 1-7 Metals Regular Paper Office Paper Chipboard Food Waste & packaging Non- recyclable waste SORT BY WEIGHT AND VOLUME Trash from Building N 1.Trash from building is staged on dock by custodians. 2.Student and staff volunteers sort waste into pre-defined categories. 3.Sorted materials are weighed and measured by volume. # 2

UI Waste Characterization Study General Waste Stream Sampling at Landfill Site # 3 1.Determine generator types from UI trash route 2.Select vehicle loads for sampling 3.Select waste samples from vehicles 4.Assure random samples that reflect UI mixed waste 5.Ensure safe practices and protective equipment: Over the ankle boots Tyvek coveralls Chemical resistant out gloves with inner liners Safety glasses or face shields Safety vest, ear plugs, filter masks.

Contact Information: Tim Knab - UI Student Sustainability Project Coordinator, UI Waste Characterization Project, UI Environmental Coalition (UIEC): Cell # Ben Kaplan – UI Student Sustainability Volunteer, IOWA Public Interest Research Group (PIRG): Cell # Dave Jackson - Facilities Management: Valerie RiChard – Operations & Maintenance: Craig Just - UI College of Engineering: Jerry Schnoor - UI College of Engineering: David Osterberg - UI College of Public Health: Jennifer Jordan – Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center: Jennifer Ryan - East Central Iowa Council of Governments: ext. 31