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Resources/Materials
Purchasing,
Consumption, Waste Disposal, Research/Projects,
Education
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Current Green Strides at Colgate
- Approximately 300 tons recycled annually
(out of a total of 1,100 tons of refuse)
-
Better paper/ printing
practices
- Copy
Paper
Prior to 1998 the University used
exclusively “virgin” paper throughout campus in copiers, laser
printers and fax machines. Working with our office supply distributor, Staples
Business Advantage, the Purchasing Department evaluated several papers,
negotiated pricing with Staples and promoted the introduction of a 100% post
consumer content paper to be used in business machines. The University pays a
5% premium for the recycled paper. Current usage: “Virgin” Paper -
62% Recycled Paper – 38%
- Publication
Paper
In 1998, in conjunction with the
Communications Department, an evaluation of a recycled paper for the production
of the Colgate “Scene” was performed. It was determined to use a
60% post-consumer content, chlorine free paper manufactured by Rolland Paper.
Rolland paper is known for their environmental friendly paper production
practices. We have since contracted for three separate years for this recycled
paper. This paper is also used in the production of the Annual
Report.
- Recycled Toner Cartridges
We are in our seventh year contracted
with Empire Laser Products for the recycling of toner cartridges used in
University printers and fax machines. Recycled cartridges offer a high quality,
low cost alternative to the purchase of new OEM cartridges. Our program allows
for used cartridges to be picked up by Empire Laser for their recycling process.
Although an actual toner count is not available, recycled toner cartridge usage
amounts to approximately 50% of all toner cartridges on campus.
- Printing Services (see “Facilities” section)
- Better purchasing
practices
- Paper
Towels and Toilet Tissue
Products have recycled contents of 100%.
The manufacturer is the Fort James Company. These commodities are used in all
public restrooms on
campus.
- Energy-saving Energy Star
Appliances
including washers, dryers, refrigerators,
freezers, microwaves, etc. Laundry Contract – A projected upgrade in
Summer 2003 will have installation of energy saving front loading for all
washing machines. These machines will save approximately 30% over present water
usage & electricity
- Student Room
Furniture
In 1991 the University began a 10-year
replacement cycle for Student Room Furniture. Solid Wood furnishings were
determined to be most desirable to replace the former metal units. Life
expectancy is 20 years to include a scheduled refurbish at 10
years.
- Salvage
Operation
Colgate has maintained a Salvage operation for almost 20 years. The first
priority when a piece of equipment is determined to be unwanted is to
re-distribute within Colgate. If a campus need does not exist the item is
offered to the general public in a sealed bid auction. Major commodities
handled are office equipment, office furniture, student room and lounge
furnishings, athletic, computer, electronic and audio-visual
equipment.
- Desktop
Computers
Currently ITS has campus personnel on a
three-year cycle to upgrade computer equipment at workstations. Although this
is a three-year plan, older units are re-distributed a second time to less
critical areas offering a second life cycle. After a second cycle, units are
then sent to the Salvage department for public sale to individuals and
organizations.
Initiatives at other
Universities/Communities
- Middlebury College: SmartWood
in Building Construction. The initiative to use “certified” wood
– wood that is evaluated using more than 60 criteria that help ensure it
comes from forests under ecologically sound forest management that maintain rich
wildlife habitats and provide long-term economic benefits to local communities
– was developed in the 1990’s at the university. While the
SmartWood costs 2-3% more than traditional wood, there are economic benefits to
local communities. “Vermont Family Forest (VFF) members, a coalition of
31 wood lot owners with about 7,000 acres of forest land, received two to three
times typical rates for their raw wood, helping provide the means to conduct
long-term ecological forestry” (Campus Ecology, National Wildlife
Federation). As more projects use certified wood products, we will better
maintain value of wood for local communities. (For press clippings from this
project, contact Campus Ecology.)
- Bates College: On this campus, an
environmental goal is to use the “most environmentally friendly and
economically feasible paper possible as a campus in a variety of venues.”
One successful policy: all publications from Bates “College
Relations” are printed on recycled paper, some of which is chlorine free.
These initiatives have been funded by internal budgets. Advice: “Make
sure students understand the issues on their campus by talking and listening to
the key administrators involved in the purchase of paper, before embarking on a
paper crusade. The history of a school’s efforts are not known to
students unless they ask those questions first” – Maria Libby,
Environmental Coordinator (Campus Ecology, National Wildlife
Federation).
Potential
Green Strides at Colgate
Individual
- Use mugs instead of paper cups
- Make note pads out of re-used (one sided)
paper
- Professors encourage papers turned in on
reused paper
- Encourage blackboard articles read online
rather than printed
off
Site
Specific
- Turn in papers over blackboard
- Handouts from professors double-sided or
on reused paper
- More blackboard usage and electronic
distribution for course
- Required reuse of paper - only paper that
has been printed double sided should be recycled
- Dorm vs. Dorm competition – more
paper recycled, more $
- Kenaff paper for letterhead and printed
paper (not as feasible for copiers)
- Kenaff paper – make available for
students and on stock in computer labs
- Re-use one-sided paper to print in labs
and libraries
- Designate different printers with
different quality of paper in computer labs and libraries
- No paper goods in dining halls, Pub, Coop,
throughout campus (i.e. disposable cups, utensils, dishware)
- Sell only 100% recycled paper in
bookstore
- Recycling campaign for frats/sororities
– used bins in each house
- Bookstore and other Colgate stores - only
give shopping bags on request
University
- Purchase only green cleaning
products
- Commitment to buying supplies as locally
as possible
- Purchase printers capable of
duplexing
- More visible and more recycling bins
(paper, plastic/glass/cans) throughout campus buildings
- Hemp paper products
- Double-sided printing for all campus
printers (default setting?)
- 100% recycled paper for ALL paper uses on
campus
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