Reducing Our Environmental Footprint

UVU is committed to sustainable and eco-friendly operations, always seeking new ways to benefit our community. A great example of this is the filtered drinking fountains we've installed across campus. These fountains feature a dedicated spout for refilling water bottles and even display the number of plastic bottles saved. In just the first few weeks, our community saved 10,000 plastic bottles, and that number continues to grow!

We're always looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint, and we know that every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference. Just like choosing the stairs over an elevator, small changes add up. That's why our Facilities department has installed more efficient paper towel dispensers across campus. These new dispensers use stacked paper towels instead of rolls, significantly reducing waste from both expired products and overall consumption.

Our reduction strategy focuses on minimizing our environmental impact through the use of renewable and biodegradable resources. Recognizing that most recycling facilities don't accept plastic bags and films, we've eliminated thicker bags. We've also adopted new latex gloves that biodegrade 25% faster in landfills.

In a significant step, we've replaced some chemicals with Aqueous Ozone, an innovative solution that uses ozone-infused water for cleaning and disinfection. This allows us to create our own eco-friendly cleaning solution, enhancing safety for both our staff and campus patrons.

What You Can Do to Help Reduce

1. Reducing Contamination in the Recycling Stream

This is crucial because contaminated recycling loads can lead to entire batches being sent to landfills.

• Know Your Local Rules: Recycling guidelines vary significantly by city and county. Always check your local waste management website or provided guides for what's accepted (and how it should be prepared) in your area. "When in doubt, leave it out!" is a good rule of thumb if you're unsure.
   
• Rinse Containers: Food residue is a major contaminant.Give plastic, glass, and metal containers a quick rinse to remove food particles. You don't need to deep clean them, just remove excess.
   
   
• Empty and Dry:Ensure containers are empty and reasonably dry to prevent moisture from damaging paper and cardboard.
   
• No Plastic Bags in Curbside Bins: Plastic bags (like grocery bags) are "tanglers" that jam machinery at MRFs, endangering workers and causing shutdowns. Many grocery stores have drop-off bins for plastic film recycling.
   
• Remove Food-Soiled Items: Greasy pizza boxes, used paper towels, and napkins typically cannot be recycled with other paper products. Compost them if possible, or dispose of them in the trash.
• Avoid "Wishcycling": Don't put items in the recycling bin just because you wish they were recyclable. This includes things like ceramics, drinking glasses, styrofoam, garden hoses, medical waste, and dirty diapers.
   
• Understand Plastic Numbers: While numbers 1 and 2 plastics (like water bottles and milk jugs) are widely accepted, other numbers (3-7) vary by location. Look for the recycling symbol and the number, and check your local guidelines.
• Batteries and Electronics: These are hazardous and often require specialized recycling programs. Never put them in your regular recycling bin.
   
• No Tanglers: Items like Christmas lights, cords, hoses, and clothing can wrap around sorting equipment, causing damage and safety hazards. Donate or find specific recycling options for these.
   
• Coffee Cups: Most disposable coffee cups have a plastic or wax lining that makes them unrecyclable in standard programs. Use a reusable mug instead.
   

2. Reducing Waste Before Recycling (The "Reduce & Reuse" Principles)

This is arguably the most impactful way to "reduce in the recycling process" because it prevents waste from being generated in the first place.

• Minimize Consumption: Buy less stuff. Consider whether you truly need something before purchasing.
• Choose Reusable Alternatives:
  • Reusable water bottles and coffee cups
  • Reusable shopping bags
  • Reusable food containers
  • Cloth napkins and towels instead of paper
• Buy Durable Products: Invest in items that are built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
   
• Repair Instead of Replace: If something breaks, try to fix it before buying a new one.
• Reduce Packaging:Opt for products with minimal or no packaging, or packaging made from recycled content.
   
• Buy in Bulk: This can reduce individual packaging waste.
• Compost Food Waste:Organic waste (food scraps, yard waste) can be composted, diverting it from landfills and creating valuable soil amendment.
   
• Print Less: Go paperless whenever possible.
• Donate or Sell Unwanted Items: Give clothes, furniture, electronics, and other items a second life.

By focusing on these areas – from responsible individual practices to advancements in processing and a robust market for recycled goods – we can collectively "reduce" in the recycling process, leading to a more sustainable waste management system.

Keep in mind that reducing is one step in recycling, and recycling is part of the larger sustainability journey. If you're eager to learn more about reducing your environmental footprint or are generally interested in sustainability, click over to UVU's Sustainability webpage   to explore UVU's many green initiatives.

UVU SUSTAINABILITY