Recycling Policy (Proposed)

Overview.--Valdosta State University will dispose of all waste generated in campus facilities in compliance with federal and State of Georgia regulations, University System of Georgia Board of Regents policies, and county and city government regulations, and additionally as specified in this policy.

MANDATE AND RATIONALE FOR RECYCLING

Valdosta State University will have a campus-wide program for the collection waste and recycling of materials used in large quantities by the campus community and otherwise discarded on campus, to include, but not necessarily limited to the following: white paper, newspaper, cardboard, aluminum cans, and plastic beverage bottles. In addition to the fact that we are an agency of the State of Georgia, and therefore mandated by the 1990 Georgia Solid Waste Management Act to have a waste reduction and recycling program, and that we are a unit of the University System of Georgia, which mandates that each campus "practice waste minimization and pollution prevention by adopting recycling programs for all appropriate materials, purchasing recycled products, substituting less hazardous materials and establishing micro-scale chemistry operations (USG Board of Regents Policy Manual 916.g)," we should also recycle for all of the following reasons:

Recycling saves landfill space (each ton of paper saves three cubic yards, a ton of aluminum cans 10 cubic yards, a ton of plastic bottles 30 cubic yards) and land filling costs, which are rising;
Recycling saves natural resources; each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil and 7,000 gallons of water; a ton of recycled aluminum saves over 16,000 gallons of water;
Recycling saves energy; each ton of recycled paper can save 4,000 kilowatt-hours, a ton of aluminum 14,000 kilowatt-hours;
Recycling reduces pollution; each ton of recycled paper reduces air pollutants by 60 pounds and produces virtually no dioxin (the most carcinogenic chemical known), which is a water-polluting byproduct of the bleaching of raw wood pulp;
Recycling is an engine of economic development, creating jobs in the local community; recycling a ton of paper creates 5 times as many jobs as producing paper from raw materials; incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates one job, land filling the same amount creates 6 jobs, and recycling that amount creates 36 jobs;
VSU, as the leading educational institution for the south Georgia region, must lead by example in an effort to increase recycling regionally; our increasingly cosmopolitan student body and faculty expect it; a 2005 study by the South Georgia Regional Development Commission found that annually in the ten-county region over 45,000 tons (62% of the municipal waste stream, and including over 13,000 tons of cardboard alone) of recyclable materials are land filled.

WASTE REDUCTION AND PURCHASING POLICY STATEMENT

All divisions and units of the university should study and attempt to minimize their consumption of disposable materials, including but not limited to those mentioned above. This should include reducing use of paper where electronic alternatives exist, double-sided copying of any multi-paged documents, especially those copied in quantities, and purchasing products such as copier paper with high post-consumer recycled content, unbleached and recycled paper towels, and the like. Waste-reducing alternatives to the use of paper towels are also encouraged. Alternatives to the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups and containers are especially encouraged, because this material is non-degradable, takes up more landfill space per unit weight than any other material, and is not usually accepted by recycling programs. Divisions and units should also purchase products that include recycled content such as but not limited to copier paper and file folders.

OTHER WASTE MATERIALS ALREADY RECEIVING SPECIAL HANDING, INCLUDING RECYCLING

This policy assumes that certain hazardous and other special materials will continue to be recycled or kept separate from the municipal waste stream by Valdosta State University as they have been in past, according to state and federal regulations. These include motor oils and similar fluids, batteries, fluorescent, sodium and other special light bulbs, biomedical waste, and chemical and laboratory wastes. The Office of Environmental and Occupational Safety will keep lists of these items, publish safe procedures for dealing with these materials in the waste stream, and monitor and manage the programs dealing with disposal or recycling of these items. Recycling of copier toner cartridges through the vender is a common practice for departments and is encouraged to be continued.

IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT - WHO NEEDS TO KNOW, COMPLY WITH, AND ENFORCE THIS POLICY

Division of Plant Operations

Waste management and recycling collection will be managed by the director and personnel of the Division of Plant Operations (and Office of Environmental and Occupational Safety as mentioned above). The director of Plant Operations will appoint a manager of the waste management and recycling program and shall commit necessary resources to enable the completion of the following tasks:

1.Organize the collection of recyclable materials from all campus buildings and facilities by coordinating with custodial staff to facilitate collection from conveniently located collection containers. Waste management containers (adjacent receptacles for trash [garbage], plastic, paper, and glass) must be conveniently placed in all public areas of campus facilities.
2. Oversee the transportation of collected materials to centralized storage or disposal facilities.
3. Coordinate with local government and private recycling companies for the final collection and disposal of materials.
4. Maintain records of all waste disposal and recycling materials and attendant expenses and revenues.
5. Serve as an ad hoc member of the Environmental Issues Committee and the Recycling Subcommittee and attending a minimum of one of each committee meetings per semester to ensure compliance with these policies
The Division of Plant Operations coordinates with other division directors (food service, custodial, etc.) in a campus wide waste removal and waste reduction (recycling) program. Included in the reduction program are the disposal of office paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum cans, newspaper, and numerous other commodities such as electronic parts that are considered recyclable. All hazardous waste materials will be disposed of in accordance with standards, guidelines, and regulations issued by federal, state, and local authorities.

Environmental Issues Committee of the Faculty Senate

The Environmental Issues Committee of the Faculty Senate, which includes representation from Office of Environmental and Occupational Safety, Plant Operations, Office of Finance and Administration, student body, and classified staff, will be involved in collaboration with the Valdosta State University administration by its various boards, committees, and councils, and with other campus and community groups in developing and implementing procedures for an ongoing and successful campus-wide waste reduction and recycling program.

Independent contractors, private companies, and individuals that provide services
Companies or individuals involved with but not limited to campus construction and renovation, including all private vendors providing on campus services, such as food service, must adhere to Valdosta State University policies regarding waste disposal and recycling.
Architects, contractors, and any companies or individuals involved with the long-range physical development of campus facilities must plan, coordinate their plans with the director of Division of Plant Operations to ensure that the designs of new/renovated buildings (including related utilities/infrastructure) include convenient facilities that promote safe and efficient waste removal (including hazardous waste) and recycling. During construction and/or renovation, practices must be observed that minimize waste and encourage recycling.
Faculty, staff, and students
Faculty, staff, and students not directly involved with the physical handling of waste and recycling should be aware of Valdosta State University’s commitment to proper management of waste and recycling. Convenient placement and routine maintenance of combination waste and recycling containers in offices (including office paper recycling bins), classrooms, parking areas, and all campus facilities should encourage good waste management.

POLICY DEFINITIONS

Biomedical waste - pathological waste, biological waste cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, contaminated animal carcasses (body parts, their bedding, and other wastes from such animals), sharps, chemotherapy waste, discarded medical equipment and parts, not including expendable supplies and materials which have not been decontaminated.

Construction or demolition waste - waste building materials and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, or demolition operations on pavements, houses, commercial buildings, and other structures. Such waste includes but is not limited to waste containing asbestos, wood, bricks, metal, concrete, wallboard, paper, cardboard, and other nonputrescible wastes associated with construction and demolition activities which have a low potential for ground-water contamination.

Hazardous waste - any substance listed as a hazardous constituent in regulations promulgated pursuant to the federal act by the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency which are in force and effect on February 1, 2004, codified as Appendix VIII to 40 C.F.R. Part 261.

Recycling - any process by which materials which would otherwise become solid waste are collected, separated, or processed and reused or returned to use in the form of raw materials or products.

Appendix I.
From the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act:
12-8-21-paragraph b
It is further declared to be the policy of the State of Georgia to educate and encourage generators and handlers of solid waste to reduce and minimize to the greatest extent possible the amount of solid waste which requires collection, treatment, or disposal through source reduction, reuse, composting, recycling, and other methods and to promote markets for and engage in the purchase of goods made from recovered materials and goods which are recyclable.
12-8-21-paragraph c
It is the intent of the General Assembly that every effort be undertaken to reduce on a state-wide per capita basis the amount of municipal solid waste being received at disposal facilities.
From the City of Valdosta:
The city promotes residential recycling. The city recycles the following items: cardboard boxes, plastics (numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 only), tin cans, aluminum cans, newspaper, and glass (clear, brown, and green).
From Lowndes County:
Solid Waste Collections: Operate eight (8) manned collection sites throughout the County where citizens can bring recyclable and non-recyclable household garbage from their residences. The division administers contracts for disposal of recyclables.

Relevant Web Links:
VSU Environmental Issues Committee
http://www.valdosta.edu/eic/
VSU Office of Environmental and Occupational Safety
http://services.valdosta.edu/safety/
Georgia Recycling Coalition
http://www.georgiarecycles.org/
Georgia Department of Community Affairs – Environmental Management
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/EnvironmentalManagement/index.asp

WHO HAS APPROVED AND SUPPORTED THIS POLICY
Board of Regents
President
Faculty Senate
Environmental Issues Committee: passed 9 March 2006

Supporting Documentation
From the Policy Manual of the Board of Regents: Section 916
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia is strongly committed to protecting the environment and human health and safety in all of its operations. In working to meet this commitment, the Board of Regents recognizes that pro-active efforts must be made to ensure that sound environmental, health and safety planning is integrated into every level of University System decision making.
Effective environmental, health and safety performance is important to the Board of Regents and its institutions in relationships with students, faculty, staff, community neighbors, legislators, regulatory agencies and the general public. To assist the institutions of the University System of Georgia in living up to the ideals of this policy, the following requirements are hereby established:
Each institution within the University System of Georgia shall:

Comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. In the absence of specific laws or regulations, good management practices shall be followed;
Develop, follow and continuously improve environmental, health and safety programs, including emergency action plans, for all facilities and operations;
Perform periodic environmental, health and safety reviews of facilities and programs to correct deficiencies, establish goals and identify funding priorities;
Designate a specific individual to coordinate environmental, health and safety affairs for the institution. This individual shall be a key member of each institution's administrative leadership team and shall be supported with appropriate resources;
Promote environmental, health and safety awareness among all faculty, staff and students by providing administrative support and appropriate resources for training and program implementation;
Design, construct and operate all facilities in a manner that protects the health and safety of the occupants and the environment. Environmental, health and safety factors shall be an integral part of each institution's master planning efforts;
Practice waste minimization and pollution prevention by adopting recycling programs for all appropriate materials, purchasing recycled products, substituting less hazardous materials and establishing micro-scale chemistry operations;
Recognize the relationship between energy and the environment and implement strategies such as energy-efficient facility lighting and equipment upgrades and alternative fuel vehicles, where appropriate;
Work cooperatively with government, industry and other organizations in developing reasonable and cost-effective environmental, health and safety legislation and regulations which protect the environment and human health; and
Serve as environmentally responsible neighbors and promote sustainable development on campus properties and in local communities (BR Minutes, March, 1994, p. 20).