April’s Sustainability Coordinator e-newsletter offers updates on waste reduction at UBC. Learn about UBC’s 2010 Waste Audit results, get an overview of two new waste reduction initiatives (UBC Recyclopediaand reuse-it! UBC) and unlock the coffee cup mystery: can take out coffee cups be recycled or composted at UBC?

Happy Earth Week!
~ Kara Bowen, SC Program Coordinator

1. UBC Waste Audit Results

In 2010, UBC conducted a waste audit to determine how to improve its current diversion of waste.  According to the audit, there is the potential to increase UBC’s operational diversion rate from approximately 44% to 95%.  Areas for improvement include expanding the UBC Composting Program, further educating employees about sustainable purchasing practices and improving communications and education about waste reduction programs on campus.

Work on a Waste Action Plan for UBC is currently underway, with an anticipated completion date of Fall 2011.

2. UBC Recyclopedia

The UBC Recyclopedia is now available online to help the UBC community learn how to recycle items on campus. This A-Z resource is your one-stop shop for on-campus waste reduction and recycling information, listing specific how-to’s for anything from batteries, compost and solvents to paper products, light bulbs and cell phones.

Visit the UBC Recyclopedia today and promote this tool in your department! Please email kara.bowen@ubc.ca to suggest any materials that should be posted on this site.

3. reuse-it! UBC

reuse-it! UBC is a new online exchange service for departments, This one year pilot program is available to UBC-Vancouver employees at the Point Grey campus. Built on the spirit of SERF (Surplus Equipment Recycling Facility), UBC’s former program for reuse on campus, reuse-it! UBC aims to help facilitate the reuse of items between departments on campus.

Since its launch on March 7, 2011, 479 UBC employees have signed up to use the site, with 40 exchanges made between departments. An early success was the reuse of 5800 square feet of barely used carpet tile – rather than going to the landfill or back to the supplier, other departments at UBC were able to use this material – for free!

Continue to help us promote this service to staff and faculty on campus. If you have any questions or feedback, contactreuse.it@ubc.ca

4. Coffee Cup Mystery – Which Take-Away Coffee Cups Are Compostable or Recyclable at UBC?

A common question we get asked at the Campus Sustainability Office is: can take-away coffee cups be composted or recycled at UBC? The short answer is… bring your own reusable coffee mug whenever you purchase a hot beverage to go, and encourage your peers to do the same! The long answer is:

UBC Food Services Outlets: all coffee cups are compostable; lids are not recyclable; java jackets can be placed in paper recycling.

AMS Food and Beverage Outlets (at the SUB): all coffee cups are compostable; plastic lids are not recyclable; java jackets can be put in paper recycling.

Starbucks: coffee cups have recycled paper content but are not compostable nor recyclable; lids are not recyclable; java jackets can be put in paper recycling.

Tim Hortons: coffee cups are not compostable nor recyclable; lids are not recyclable. 

Help reduce the number of coffee cups entering the landfill by promoting the use of reusable takeout mugs and containers to your peers.

Sustainability News and Events

1. Tweet for the Planet Campaign

The UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI) is encouraging all UBC sustainability champions – whether you use Twitter or not -  to create an online buzz about sustainable ideas and tips, videos, research, books, blogs and more in the lead up to Earth Day on April 22.

For more information, including how you can get your idea or resource out to all 1,800 followers of the @sustainubc Twitter feed, click here.

The CUPE 2950 Environment Committee presents a free screening of the Vancouver International Film Festival top environmental award winning film, spOIL. Please join colleagues from across campus from 12:10pm – 12:50pm at AERL 120. For more information about this event visit the CUPE 2950 website.

3. Earth Day Parade, Friday, April 22

A family friendly event to commemorate Earth Day and to celebrate positive change with a focus on climate change and social justice. The parade starts at 11am at Grandview Highway and Commercial Drive and finishes at Britannia Secondary School. A community festival will continue until 3pm with music, guest speakers and hands on activities.

www.earthdayparade.ca/

4. Green Research Challenge launches May 2

Attention all lab users! The Green Research Challenge is set to launch on Monday, May 2. Teams of UBC colleagues will collect points over a two month period by participating in a series of green research activities ranging from watching a climate change documentary to assessing energy use in a lab. The winning team will be awarded a grand prize and there will also be weekly prizes for participation.

For more information, including registration, visit the Green Research Challenge website.

5. Summer Institutes – Sustainability Leadership and Workplace Wellness

UBC Continuing Studies is offering two sustainability related summer institutes in 2011. Please visit the following websites to learn more about these programs, including registration, fees and program curriculum:

Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership
Summer Institute on Workplace Wellness