Our Projects
Recycling Committee
Recycling on UT campus has changed. Now accepting plastics #1-7!
Students now can recycle plastics #1-7 in the new recycling bins. Signs to update the change are currently in production and will be distributed as soon as possible to each bin.
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Facilities Services is now managing the recycling of plastics #1-7 and aluminum. More information can be found at Facilities Services Recycling.
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Document Solutions is now managing the recycling of ink and toner cartridges. More information can be found at Document Solutions.
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Environmental Health and Safety is now managing the recycling of rechargeable batteries. More information can be found at Environmental Health and Safety. Alkaline batteries are handled independently by departments; see the Facilities Services Recycle Right FAQ.
Current Projects:
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Water Fountains: In conjunction with Campus Planning and Facilities Management, the Recycling Committee is purchasing and installing 30 water fountain spouts around campus. These spouts will be added onto current water fountains and will make it easier to refill water bottles. Watch out for the “ribbon-cutting” for these spouts at the America Recycles Day Event! (See Upcoming Events for more information.)
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Education: Recycling Committee introduces the Recycling Education Presentations. These presentations are given by committee members for anyone on campus who wants to learn about recycling at UT or just needs a refresher on what do and do not recycle on campus. Currently, these presentations are being finalized and will be launched in the spring. Sign up for your class, club, organization, sorority/fraternity, or whomever else to receive a recycling presentation!
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Green Events: Recycling Committee has finally launched our new project: Green Events. This project is dedicated to helping fellow student organizations and groups make their events more environmentally friendly. From energy conservation to sustainable utensils to compostable food and composting services, Green Events acts as an environmental consulting group that acts as a resource for UT students. Recycling Committee is currently looking for a Green Events Coordinator for the spring semester of 2012.
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Tailgate Recycling: With the help of Facility Services, Campus Environmental Center is helping tailgaters and football game attendees to discard of recyclables properly. The Tailgate Recycling Crew attends every home game and provides clear-streams for the convenience of those attending UT games. Volunteers help to educate about UT recycling. Tailgate Recycling volunteers are eligible for 3 – 6 volunteer/ community service hours approved by the Tailgate Recycling Coordinator.
The Campus Environmental Center's Recycling Committee has several projects in the works to impact the culture of campus. Our goals over the next few years focus on creating a behavioral change amongst University students, staff, and faculty. We have worked so hard to put a functional recycling program in place, so we want to make sure that everyone is utilizing the system correctly.
Operation Tiger Campaign:
Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) is the largest paper company in Indonesia and is one of the most notorious forest criminals, responsible for more deforestation in Sumatra, the ground zero of forest crime in Indonesia, than any other company. APP's activities are driving global warming and species extinction, in particular the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, of which there are no more than 400 individuals remaining. APP is aggressively expanding its tissue bands, Nvi, Livi, and Paseo in North America and targeting campuses and businesses as potential purchasers. Stopping APP expansion into the U.S. tissue market is critical to stopping APP's destruction of endangered forests.
We can stop APP by pressuring local businesses and our campus to enact strong procurement policies, cut contracts with APP, and write anti-APP letters to product distributors.
You can find out more about Operation Tiger here: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/forests/
Think Green. Eat Green.
Recycling is teaming up with Students for a Sustainable Campus to help the Union move to more sustainable food options. The coalition is currently working to educate students on the subject and share how to ask for greener options when it comes to food. By pushing local and organic options, the "Think Green. Eat Green" Campaign works to transform the imbalance of fast food vs local, organic options. Come to a committee meeting to check out more about this campaign and look for the campaign during CEC's Earth week as we spread the word!
Please contact Recycling Committee with any questions or comments.