Waste
Waste reduction and diversion is one of SIUC's stronger areas of sustainability. The handful of initiatives below work together to achieve nearly a 20 - 25% solid waste diversion rate. Most are managed by SIUC's Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator Andilee Warner who was named 2007 Recycler of the Year by the Illinois Recycling Association but also by University Housing Residence Hall Dining leadership.
Recycling
SIUC recycles nearly everything and services are available across the entire campus.
Vermicomposting
At SIUC's Vermicomposting Center, nearly three million red wiggler worms consume over 170,000 pounds of food waste from three dining halls every year. Coffee grounds from the Starbucks in the Student Center are now also being composted. The Vermicomposting Center has other sustainable initiatives including green construction techniques, industrial ecology and rain water harvesting. It is also host to the student organic garden, SIU LOGIC.
Composting
The PSO grounds crew composts landscaping waste and manure in coordination with SIU Farms.
Trayless Dining & Plastic bag/sytrofoam cup removal
University Housing switched to trayless dining, removed plastic bags and styrofoam cup in the Fall of 2008. All new residents also recieve a free canvass bag and water bottle upon move in to encourage a more waste free lifestyle.
Plastic bag recycling was also initiated at the Student Recreation Center by their Green Team. Students who brought in plastic bags to recycle were given canvass bags in exchange.
Biodiesel Production
SIU Farms recently began harvesting used fryer oil from the residence dining halls to make their own biodiesel. They are currently producing a little bit of the fuel and experimenting with its use in campus lawn mowers and farm tractors.
Motor oil reuse
The Vermicomposting Center practices a transitional industrial ecology technique. Used motor oil from Travel Service is used to heat the building and keep the worms warm in the winter time.
Paw Prints
All the computer labs with printing capabilities on campus require payment for each page printed. This is a common campus sustainability waste disincentive.
SIU Surplus
Located just north of campus, SIU Surplus provides for the storage and exchange of used technology and furniture. All items are free to campus departments for recirculation.
Hazardous Waste
Labs on campus use many toxic or otherwise hazardous substances. People and the environment are kept safe by SIUC’s Center for Environmental Health and Safety (CEHS) which manages all hazardous waste on campus. They also manage compliance and permitting issues with agencies such as the EPA for the campus.
Other initiatives carried out by PSO include the use of wood chips from landscape debris for cow bedding at the Dairy Center and high velocity air driers in most on campus lavatories to reduce paper towel waste.