Reinvesting in Recycling and Research at Missouri S&T
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Julie Wilson, Green Campus Coordinator, OSE3
Joel Burken, Chair - Green Campus Committee, Civil, Arch and Environmental Engineering
Conserving money and resources is certainly important at Missouri S&T. In order to be
more efficient and improve campus recycling programs, monitoring of recycling and
solid waste at S&T began with RecycleMania in 2009. Grants were sought from the
Department of Natural Resources through the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management
District (ORSWMD). Missouri S&T now boasts several new recycling centers and a
waste management initiative started through the Green Campus Committee and now
residing in the new Office of Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engagement (OSE3).
We have received over $22,000 to enhance our recycling program since 2009.
Grant money was used to purchase Recycled
Recyclers™, which are collection vessels
made from 100% recycled plastic. There are
10 centers across campus in the ButlerCarlton Civil Engineering Hall, Parker Hall,
and Toomey Hall. The centers and recycling
programs have been so successful that
Havener Center management purchased two
centers as well.
The grants also led to the purchase of mini
bins and desk-side recycle bins. The Mini
Bin Program was implemented with former
Chancellor Carney’s blessing in Parker Hall
in late summer 2010. The idea is to give
individuals responsibility for their own waste,
which increases awareness of our personal
use of natural resources. After using the
program for nearly a year, Dr. Carney
commented, “It’s easy. It literally takes me
32 seconds to recycle.”
% Recyclables in Trash
Monitoring of the progress is done through waste audits conducted by student
volunteers and as part of research and service learning projects in Environmental and
Civil Engineering 363, Solid Waste Management.
Parker Hall Recycling
30%
20%
Mini Bin
Program
10%
0%
Spring 2010
Late Fall 2010
Spring 2011
Audits of trash collected
from Parker showed an
amazing 85% decrease
in the amount of
recyclables in the waste
destined for the landfill.
Across campus, recyclables in the waste headed to the landfill has dropped from 37% in
2007 to 20% in 2011.The improvements are attributed to a better understanding of
recyclable materials, easier access to recycling bins, and greater personal responsibility
that comes from the knowledge gained.
What does all this mean for Missouri S&T? Savings! By reducing the amount of trash
in our dumpsters and increasing the efficiency of our non-hazardous solid waste
management, we have reduced our annual waste disposal costs by 30%. The savings
are quite remarkable considering the student population increased steadily over the
same period. S&T actually pays $41,538 less for trash hauling service per year even
though our on-campus full-time equivalent population as increased 10% over the same
time period. This calculates into a drop in per person cost of $7 each. As part of this
program, Vice Chancellor and active Parker Hall recycler Steve Malott has agreed to
reinvest the savings to expand the recycling program. New recycling centers and
programs should be available for years to come!
Annual Costs and Campus Population by Fiscal Year
8,600
8,400
8,200
8,000
7,800
7,600
7,400
7,200
7,000
2008
2009
2010
2011
Shows drop in actual costs while campus population increased.
Simple changes in behavior, awareness, and responsibility continue to have a big
impact on Missouri S&T students and employees. By reinvesting in our recycling
programs, more people have greater opportunity to be part of our continued success.
Be sure to contact the OSE3 – Office of Sustainable Energy & Environmental
Engagement if you have recycling questions or ideas for sustainability initiatives! If
interested in recycling centers and programs for your building, let us know and we will
be happy to help. Visit us at www.ose3.mst.edu.
campus population in
full time equivalents
$180,000
$160,000
$140,000
$120,000
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0