2012-13 FY Annual Recycling Report

Radford University continues to strive in waste reduction, reusing products, and maximizing all areas of recycling. This fiscal year, RU’s overall recycling rate equaled 66.25%. The university’s three main areas of recycling resulted in container recycling at 14.36 tons, mixed paper recycling at 65.5 tons, and corrugated cardboard at 89.7 tons. Overall recyclables in all categories totaled 2,921 tons. Solid waste equaled 1,488 tons.

This Year's Highlights

Fall 2012 New Student Move-In

Cardboard drop sites were designated outside all residence halls; each site was identified with a banner type sign.  Cardboard totaling 7.93 tons for just that weekend was hauled to a cardboard compactor for recycling and transported. 

E-Waste

RU continues to partner with Apple Computer in electronic waste (e-waste) recycling.  Once each year, the Apple Computer Company recycles e-waste items from colleges and universities nationwide.  This year RU recycled a total of 42 pallets of e-waste totaling 13 tons.  

RecycleMania 2013  

RU competed in the national recycling competition called “RecycleMania” for the fifth consecutive year.  This year RU achieved a cumulative competition recycling rate of 7.228 %, ranking 270 of 523 schools nationwide.  This competition serves as a catalyst to refresh existing recycling habits and introduce recycling to new participants.

Waste Audit

This year RU conducted its annual event called waste audit.  On Wednesday, April 24th, student volunteers and sustainability staff worked together to conduct a one day waste audit. The results of the audit are intended to identify lost recycling opportunities, i.e., recyclable items being thrown away and opportunities to strengthen the current waste and recycling program. The Moffet Quad was chosen for the audit and student volunteers and Housing and residential life staff from that area assisted by separating recyclables from trash and weighing the results.  Of the four residence halls in the Quad, Ingles Hall took top honors by discarding the lowest percentage of recyclables in the waste stream which equaled 37 %, while the other halls produced close to high percentages.  The results were eye opening and educational to the students who participated.

Goodwill, Not Landfill

Every year Radford University diverts tons of reusable products from local landfills during the May Move out Week. The give-away received a boost this year-- RU teamed up with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys for Goodwill Not Landfill, a program that helped RU's 3,000-plus campus residents lighten their loads for the end-of-semester trip home.  Over 10,000 lbs. of clothes, food, small appliances, and more were diverted from the landfill.

Tour of the NRRA Landfill

The New River Resource Authority Waste Management Facility provides the New River Valley Region of Virginia with leadership in the solid waste management field. They are committed to the best management of the region's solid waste through education, recycling and proper disposal in order to protect the environment. This regional landfill is a state permitted facility to accept solid waste. They strive to provide services in a cost effective and safe manner. They are dedicated to helping our region flourish and their education programs promote these ideas to businesses, schools and the general public.

Construction Projects

877.5 tons - Aggregate/Fill generated on campus and reused (one time) to fill the basement area of the old RU Fairfax Church after demo

309.2 tons - Asphalt reused at Fitness & Wellness Center

714 tons – Recycled materials at Washington Hall

Miscellaneous Events

Other recycling events and opportunities this year included America Recycles Day (ARD), The “Bonnie Days of April”, Highlander fest, Club Fair Day, Sustainability Movies Series, Graduation day and numerous sporting events at the Dedmon Center and Cupp Stadium. 

Closing Remarks

Radford University closes out yet another successful year in recycling.  RU continues to evaluate operations and is working on getting entered into a contractual agreement with a local vendor to bring mixed paper and mixed containers to various markets.  Going forward, RU plans to continue to identify and exploit new initiatives and innovations in recycling.  Our ultimate goal is to continue to enhance and maintain sustainable practices and make a positive impact on global efforts to green our planet.  Be sure to sure to check out the RU Recycling website and RU SustainABILITY Facebook pages for more information too!

Download the full PDF version of the 2012-13 FY Annual Recycling Report.