Category: Waste (Page 8 of 14)

Recycling Interns Launch Apartment Composting Program

August 15, 2016 / Stina C. Stannik / 17 Comments

Tufts students on the Medford campus have been composting in their dorms for several years through the Eco-Reps program. But until last year, unstaffed dorms – that is, dorms without Residential Assistants (RAs) and Eco-Reps – were left to organize the disposal of their organic waste on their own.

The Recycling and Waste Management office run by Facilities Services office set out to rectify that situation in early 2016 by launching a composting program for on-campus apartments, including Hillsides, Latin Way, and Sophia Gordon.

The program aimed to divert food waste from the trash. On-campus apartments have full kitchens, meaning students living in those spaces are more likely to be cooking regularly – and therefore producing more food waste – than students in some of the other dorms.

22 apartments received bins during the first pilot round of the program and several more joined during the spring semester.

Students who signed up for the program received a bin at the beginning of the spring semester, along with instructions about maintaining their compost and locations around campus where the bins could be emptied. Recycling interns also sent out a weekly email with tips and reminders.

Recycling is currently working to improve the program and investigating the potential of having off-campus apartments participate.

(Pictured above: Savannah Christiansen, ‘16, Recycling intern, coordinated the program’s launch in the spring of 2016.)

Freecycle to the Rescue!

June 20, 2016 / Stina C. Stannik / 0 Comments

So a few days ago, the microwave in our office broke.

*This is a dramatic reenactment using an image from the interwebs and NOT what actually happened to our microwave.

Naturally we were all pretty upset. We all bring lunch from home and many of us like to heat up our soups, casseroles, and other leftovers.

Before we could panic, though, someone had the great idea to ask the Tufts Freecycle Elist to help us out!

The Freecycle Elist was started by an Eco-Ambassador, Stacie Simon, and anyone from the Tufts community can join. Whether you’ve got furniture or office supplies you no longer need but that is still in good condition or you’re looking for something specific (like a microwave!), the e-list is a great first resource. It’s all about reuse and free exchange.

Sure enough, the same day we sent out our plea for help, another Eco-Ambassador, Lynne Ramsey, wrote us back with a microwave to offer! We had it in our office and up and running within a couple of days. It was totally free and we helped Lynne clear out her basement a bit. 😉

Our new-used microwave looks much better and is working great!

You could have success with the Tufts Freecycle E-list too! Sign up today to not only get emails whenever someone posts about an item (chairs, rugs, printers, ink, lamps, etc.) they’re giving away — but also reach out when you’re looking for something! You never know what treasures someone else is holding onto.

Reusable Plates of Grafton

June 18, 2016 / Stina C. Stannik / 11 Comments

The final President’s Picnic of 2016 was held in Grafton on Wednesday, June 15th, a lovely and sunny conclusion to the annual year-end event series.

Drinks and condiments were served in bulk, which cut back on the amount of plastic and other packaging waste produced during the event.

Attendees were encouraged to BYOP — bring your own plates — as another way to reduce waste. Over 80 people brought their own dishes.

Anyone who brought their own dishes, cups, or utensils was entered into a raffle for a special prize. The first 50 visitors to our table also got a prize automatically!

Lillian of Student Services at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine won the top prize – a reusable, stainless steel lunch kit and utensil set!

Recycling interns helped sort recycling and compost at special Zero Waste Stations.

6 bags of recycling were collected, weighing about 48 pounds, while there were 40 pounds of food waste. Trash from the entire event fit into a tiny bag and weighed less than 2 pounds!

The lunch was catered by Loaves and Fishes.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this event zero waste!

See all the photos here.

Reusable Plates of Boston

June 17, 2016 / Stina C. Stannik / 15 Comments

President Monaco hosted the second of three President’s Picnics on Monday, June 13th, at the Boston Campus. The annual Picnics bring together staff and faculty on each of Tufts’ campuses to celebrate community and another year of hard work — and is also one of the major zero-waste events held throughout the year.

As part of the zero waste campaign, attendees were encouraged to BYOP — Bring Your Own Plate (and other picnic necessities) — which allowed less reliance on disposable dishes, cutlery, and cups.

Condiments were served in large containers, rather than individual packets, to cut down on packaging waste.

Drinks were likewise served in bulk to reduce waste.

Recycling interns helped sort recycling and compost at special Zero Waste Stations. 17 bags of compost were collected, compared with only one of trash!

The event was catered by Corporate Chefs.

Attendees who brought their own dishes could also win special, sustainable prizes!

Attendees did a fantastic job helping us keep this event zero-waste. We hope everyone enjoyed the great food and company and can carry their sustainable picnic practices into the future!

See all the photos here.

Enjoying a Sustainable President’s Year-end Celebration

June 3, 2016 / Elijah Romulus / 20 Comments

On Wednesday May 25, 2016, President Anthony Monaco hosted the first picnic in a three part, year end, celebration on the president’s lawn. This first picnic was an open invitation to all on the Medford/Somerville campus to enjoy good food and beautiful weather. Following picnics will be held on the Boston campus, Monday, June 13, and the Grafton campus, Wenesday, June 15.

As part of Tufts’ university-wide commitment to sustainability, the first event was and the remaining two will be zero waste.
How did Tufts make this a zero waste event?

Tufts Catering did away with individually packaged condiments and drinks instead serving in bulk to cut down on the amount of waste it would create.

A big shout out to the staff at Tufts Catering who made much of the picnic possible.

We made sure all food waste was composted with some great help from our Recycling Interns .

We encouraged the Medford/Somerville invites to BYOP (bring your own reusable place setting) to help Tufts reduce as much waste as possible – and they did it with 145 people helping to make the event sustainable!!

And we had some great prizes for those who brought there own place settings and more!