The Environmental Stewardship Program, informally known as KU Recycling, has received a grant exceeding $14,800 from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to install desk-side recycling bins in six University of Kansas buildings. But it could be late summer before the bins are placed because program administrators have not hired a new project manager.
Keaton Krell, a student crew leader for the program, said recycling on campus lacks the administrative leadership needed for an efficient recycling operation. His former boss, Jeff Severin, was recently promoted to director for the KU Center for Sustainability. Krell said Severin was an effective leader but his departure has caused a meltdown in the recycling department and has curbed the desk-side recycling bin project.
“Facilities Operations treats KU Recycling like an illegitimate stepchild,” Krell said. “They don't give us, the recyclers, any support. They don't have a clue as to the ins and outs of our operation, and they waited to post the job application for Jeff's old position until a day after he left the job.”
Severin applied for the grant from KDHE while he was still working for the program as environmental services project manager. He worked with the housekeeping staff to determine where they could best increase recycling on campus. Part of the criteria for the grant was to prove the money would be used for a project that reaches a new or under-served audience.
“Having that material taken as part of the waste taking process should have a positive effect on recycling,” Severin said. “This project adds the extra convenient element of having the bins near the desk.”
Before receiving the new grant, Severin worked with The Alumni Center last fall to install desk-side recycling bins in every office on the third floor. Jennifer Sanner, senior vice president of communications for the Alumni Association, said they requested the bins to increase their waste reduction.
“We’re just grateful that the service is available,” Sanner said. “We think it makes a lot of sense in a large community, such as a university, that uses a lot of paper. It makes a lot of sense to be conscientious of what we do with it.”
The Environmental Protection Agency reported 245 million tons of trash produced in the United States in 2005. That’s an average of almost five pounds of trash generated per person per day. The EPA estimates that only 32 percent gets recycled; the rest gets burned at combustion facilities or dumped in landfills. Recycling reduces water pollutants and the greenhouse gas emissions that change the global climate.
Statewide grants for recycling, composting and waste reduction come from tipping and dumping fees at landfill stations and from a percentage of the landfill permit fees. Grant money this year was just under $830,000. Kris Hicks, environmental scientist in KDHE bureau of waste management, said the allocation of the money was determined by KDHE and a governor appointed advisory board representing state, county and industry interests.
“It supports the local programs; it allows them to provide services in areas that they may not have in their own budget.” Hicks said. “As for the KU program, they were pretty limited on the budget.”
Krell said he looks forward to getting a new project manager and beginning the desk-side recycling project. He said that once they hire someone, KU Recycling can make a big step in making recycling more convenient for everyone.
“I'm sure most people don't recycle because it's not convenient for them, and with this they won't have that excuse anymore,” Krell said.