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Recycling Bulletin

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Recycling Bulletin #30
news from a national leader in campus recycling

December 19, 2005

In this Bulletin:

CU Recycling Report: Ink Jet Refilling Service at CU, Worm Bins and Solar Decathlon, Computer Round Up Give-Away

Local Recycling Info: Holiday Recycling Information

Industry News: Boulder County Zero Waste Resolution

Frightening Fact:  Consumption during the holidays

Glimmer of Hope:  You can make a difference

Get Involved / Upcoming Events: Schedule a tour or presentation, and RecycleMania 2006

1. CU Recycling Report

New Ink Jet Refilling Service Saves Money and the Environment

CU Recycling has teamed with Island Ink-Jet, a company with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and one of the highest ratings in the industry to spread to word about the ink jet refilling services at CU-Boulder.  Ink jet cartridges can now be refilled in the UMC at half the cost of a new cartridge. Some cartridges have been re-filled ten times before needing to be replaced with a new one. Compatible and new cartridges are also sold.  Remanufactured toner cartridges for laser printers are available at a 25-40% savings.

To learn more about this exciting new service visit http://www.colorado.edu/recycle

CU's championship Solar House Features Vermiculture, Composting and Recycling
The University of Colorado's international champion Solar Decathlon house included many waste-reduction features, including the use of vermicomposting, recycling, a composting toilet and biodegradable cornstarch and bamboo dishes.   The zero-energy, solar powered home – named BioS(h)IP – included an area for recycling, composting and trash built into the kitchen cabinets.  Three large recycling bins were also placed outside the home.  CU Recycling Development Director Jack DeBell worked with students to “design for recycling,” making recycling as easy and convenient as traditional trash disposal.   

CU was one of 18 universities competing in the Department of Energy's annual Solar Decathlon, which challenged students to design, build and operate the most attractive, efficient and comfortable solar home.  CU picked up the first-place trophy at the Washington,  D.C. competition for the second time in a row.  The home is currently on display on the Boulder Campus.  For more information or to arrange a tour, visit: http://solar.colorado.edu/

CU Concludes Dell Computer Project: Computers Donated to Area Non-Profits

CU Recycling recently concluded an effective computer recycling project by donating over 2.5 tons of computer equipment to several non-profit groups in Colorado.  Dell Computer provided partial funding for the event as part of its Higher Education Recycling Leadership Award to CU-Boulder. 

Over 650 people participated in CU’s first Computer Round-Up in May, bringing in 19.9 tons of computers and peripherals and keeping toxic chemicals like lead, mercury and arsenic out of landfills. 
In addition to the computers recycled, dozens of computer components were “up-cycled”.  This involved testing each component.  Hard-drives were erased and bundled with monitors and keyboards to form perfectly functional computer systems ready to be reused in the community.  Among the beneficiaries was the Jared Polis Foundation whose Community Computer Connection provides computers to schools, nonprofits and communities throughout Colorado.

“This project proves that P3 works”, according to Jack DeBell with the University’s Recycling Services referring to a growing emphasis on connecting benefits to people, the planet, and profits (P3).  “There are plenty of opportunities that are planet-friendly, people-oriented, and profitable.  The Dell award and their grant enabled our team to focus on this triple bottom-line and how it can be emulated elsewhere.”

A full report is available at http://www.colorado.edu/recycling.

2. Local Recycling Info - Holiday Recycling Information

Recycling Holiday Light Cords

Holiday cords are recyclable with scrap metal at the Longmont and Boulder Recycling Drop-off Centers for more information www.ecocycle.org. Lights must be removed and are not recyclable. Cords should be bundled and tied with the loose end, not string (string gets caught in the recycling machinery).

Wrapping Paper Recycling ONE  MONTH ONLY  Dec 26th – Jan 31st

Wrapping paper will be accepted at the Longmont, Boulder, Louisville and Broomfield Drop-off Centers in the boxes marked "Paperboard” from December 26th – January 31st.   Please DO NOT put wrapping paper in with your curbside materials. This material will be accepted for one month only as it is a very low-grade material and normally considered a contaminant in the recycling bin because of its high clay and ink content and low fiber content. For this reason, the use of wrapping paper alternatives is encouraged.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Before “recycling” your tree, please be sure to remove all tinsel, lights, stands, etc. Please do not leave any trash or other materials at these locations. Christmas trees are recycled in Boulder, Broomfield, Longmont, and Lyons.  Visit www.ecocycle.org for information about your town’s program.

Boulder County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility closed for Holidays

The Boulder County Household Hazardous Waste facility will be closed Wednesday, December 21 through Saturday, January 7.

The HHW Program operates a public drop-off facility open to all Boulder County residents at the Western Disposal Services waste transfer station, 5880 Butte Mill Road, Boulder.  The facility is regularly open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays and Saturdays.  Reusable products are also available to the public during these hours.

Residents should call the HHW's facility’s hotline at 303-441-4800 for closure information before delivering any waste. The outdoor nature of the collection facility also results in occasional closures due to rain, snow, high winds, or lightening storms. More information on the Household Hazardous Waste Program is available at www.bouldercountyrecycles.net.

3. Industry News – Boulder County Zero Waste Resolution

Last month, The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Zero Waste as a guiding principal for all county operations and for outreach and actions within the community.  The commissioners further directed County staff to complete a Zero Waste Plan by December 2006.  The Plan will be designed to achieve the initial goal of: increasing waste diversion for Boulder County government and for the county as a whole, to 50% or better by the year 2010. The ultimate goal of Boulder County’s Zero Waste Plan is to eliminate waste by 2025.

To view a copy of the County press release, visit http://www.co.boulder.co.us/newsroom/templates/?a=270&z=1

For more information about waste reduction and recycling in Boulder Counjty, visit http://www.co.boulder.co.us/recycling/index.htm

4. Frightening Fact – Consumption During the Holidays

Did you know Americans create 25% MORE WASTE between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year? The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra tons per week!   Facts from www.use-less-stuff.com.

5. Glimmer of Hope

You can help reduce Holiday waste at the source.  Here are a number of holiday waste reduction tips.   For more information our local www.ecocycle.org is a great resource!

• Cancel any holiday catalogs you don’t need by calling the 1–800 number on the back of the catalog.
• Bring your own canvas shopping bag or backpack, or reuse shopping bags when shopping.
• Buy holiday cards printed on recycled paper, make your own with paper you already have, or send holiday greetings via e-mail.
• Print holiday party flyers on colors other than red or green – bright colored paper isn't recyclable!
• Hold a waste free holiday party, use dishware, reusable cutlery, and cloth napkins.
• Avoid buying over-packaged gifts.
• Buy rechargeable batteries for new toys and gadgets.
• Give gift certificates -- for restaurants, movies, babysitting...
• Consider earth friendly, fair trade and organic products for gifts.  Check out Co-op America’s green gift catalog at www.coopamerica.org, gifts from Abundant Earth www.abundantearth.com, and Global Exchange’s online store http://store.gxonlinestore.org/.  
• Wrap gifts in fabric, comics, maps  or your own decorated paper.  If you buy gift wrap, buy recycled!
• Use reusable, recyclable, and recycled packing and boxes to mail  gifts.
• Consider alternatives to a cut tree, such as a live tree, decorated houseplant, or artificial tree.  If you choose a cut tree, take it to a tree recycling program after the holidays.
• Know and follow your local holiday recycling guidelines.  

6. Get Involved / Upcoming Events

Schedule a Tour of the Campus Recycling Facility or Class Presentation 

Ever wonder where all the recycling on campus goes?  Bring students or staff to CU’s on-campus recycling facility -- the Intermediate Processing Facility (IPF) -- for an hour long tour of the recycling process.  CU Recycling also provides recycling presentations for your class.  Topics range from consumption patterns and environmental benefits to recycling industry analysis and processing.  To schedule a tour or class presentation call 303-492-8307.

RecycleMania 2006 Januray 29th through April 8th

RecycleMania is ten-week long competition between colleges and universities across the country to see which campus diverts the most waste from the landfill by recycling. Last year CU finished 9th with a diversion rate of 30.37%, Colorado State University placed 7th with a diversion rate of 31.64%.  We’ll need your help to beat CSU and place in the top five this year! One easy way to become a maniac is to hold off on your office clean-outs until  RecycleMania begins on Jan. 29th!   Stay tuned for more ways to get involved in the next edition of the Recycling Bulletin. 

Subscribe to the CU Recycling Bulletin

The Recycling Bulletin is circulated via a closed list;  only CU Recycling has access to the rest of the subscriber list.  Subscribers' names and e-mail addresses are not available to any other group or used for any other purpose.

About University of Colorado at Boulder Recycling

The University of Colorado's recycling program is a non-profit, campus-based organization whose mission is to instill awareness of the benefits of waste reduction and recycling.  CU Recycling is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading campus programs. Awards have been given by such groups as the EPA, National Recycling Coalition, and the Office of Federal Environmental Executive, who in 2000, announced CU Recycling the model campus program in the United States.

The university community is encouraged to get involved in CU Recycling's many activities.  For more information, call (303)492-8307 or visit http://www.colorado.edu/recycle

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