Posted on June 8: Waste audit reveals need for recycling awareness

Before throwing that pop can or newspaper in the garbage, think about how much it's costing. A recent audit on McMaster's waste stream revealed 40 per cent of garbage on campus consists of recyclable materials. By reducing that, the University has the potential to save tens of thousands of dollars a year.

“If we take recyclables out of our waste stream, there is the potential the University could save up to $100,000 a year,” says University planner Linda Axford, explaining a reduction in waste equates to less disposal costs.

On April 8, Waste Services Inc. (WSI) conducted an audit on campus to identify the composition of the University's waste. In the audit, conducted in accordance with provincial regulation, WSI collected waste and inspected it at the WSI transfer station in Hamilton. Bags of waste were opened and divided into six categories: waste, metal, papers, mixed recyclables, cardboard and pizza boxes. The audit revealed that of 5,230 kilograms of garbage collected, 3,190 kg was waste, 510 kg was metal, 450 kg was paper, 450 kg was mixed recyclables, 360 kg was cardboard and 270 kg was pizza boxes.

“We really need to reduce waste and increase recyclables, but it will take the will of everyone on campus to make this happen,” Axford says, adding education on how to accomplish this is key.

This summer, a waste diversion program to help educate the McMaster community about reducing waste will be rolled out. The program, which will service all of the main campus and student residences, will sort waste into three different waste streams: paper fibre and cardboard, container recyclables and non-recyclable waste.

The residence program will begin with students in September. During Welcome Week, each student will be given a recycling container with information about the Diversion Project. Also, all residence floors will have four totes (95-gallon recycling containers) with signage above detailing items that should be disposed of in each bin. Information about recycling also will be included in residence handbooks.

A faculty/staff education program also will roll out and there are discussions about selecting areas or buildings to champion the cause. This portion of the education plan will commence within a short time frame.

A five-year contract has been drawn up with WSI as the sole vendor for all waste areas except organic waste and biomedical waste. It will be in effect for the September 2004 school year start, when OMG recycling bins will be replaced with new bins, which are also acceptable to the fire marshal.

It is anticipated that regular waste audits will be conducted on an ongoing basis on campus.