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Field trip recycling update

Thanks to Dr. Nicotri, recycling is now part of official Biology Department field trip policy. We have spent about $125.00 on recycling and compost bins and associated supplies. The equipment is stored in Kincaid Hall, Rm. 3 by the loading dock. Last week my class tried out the field trip recycling bins and procedures. We were able to conveniently recycle about 75% of the mass of our refuse and about 90% of the weight. This amounted to about 50 lbs. of recycled material for a group of 12 for two days, about 1 kilogram per person per day. Much of the weight was attributable to the water in food scraps. Some of the students had obviously never taken recycling seriously but were willing to chip in and learn. After a while I did not have to remove pop cans from the food scrap bin! Once back on campus, it took our group approximately 20 minutes to complete the recycling/composting chores.

  • BIN PERFORMANCE. Three large bins were adequate for this size group and duration (24 person days). We divided up the bins into:
    1. glass+plastic+aluminum containers
    2. paper
    3. overflow food scraps
    The green compost pails worked fine but filled up 3 times. We had to reline and stash the full bags elsewhere. This was partly due to extra bulky scraps, especially corn husks and watermelon rind. Dumping the glass+plastic+aluminum material and paper is trivial: just use the large bins on the loading dock and the paper bagits in the mail room. We may run into an overflow issue, though, because we added a large amount of material to already full bins.
  • BAGS & FILTERS. There are cellulose-based, degradable “bio bags” with which to line the green buckets and also replacement carbon filters. The bio bags are light and membranous but adequate for the size of the bucket. They can be put directly into the compost bin, very convenient, particularly when you fill the bucket more than once and have several stashed bags to dump. The bio bags and filters will be in a separate box inside or near the large bins in Rm 3. Each green bucket should have a label for recording the last filter replacement date (they are supposed to be effective for 3 months).
  • CLEAN-UP. The large bins definitely need to be rinsed out after each use and before storage. There is a water spigot on the KIN loading dock you can use for this. It is located just to the left of the double-door utility entrance about 1.5 meters above the concrete slab and to the right of the stainless steel paper recycling bagit trolley. I managed to rinse out all 3 large bins plus the green compost bucket directly from the spigot using only about 2 gallons of water. However, Hayato has a length of garden hose that could make it even more convenient if you arrive during normal working hours or can put it off until (but no later than) the next morning. The hose is in the labeled cabinet back by the dry ice bin. Return when finished. Dump rinse water on the thirsty plants in the median by the Burke Gilman Trail (not on the pavement.)
  • COMPOSTING. Dumping the food scraps is ad hoc at the moment. Doug has 3 places where they could be put. We ended up using the plastic cylinders by the picnic table because they are the most protected from vermin and we had some chicken bones in our scraps. The large open plant waste pile might be used but NO ANIMAL WASTE! If in doubt, ask Doug. We await The placement of an official “take-anything-organic” UW compost bin soon which will then become the universal depository. I was able to hand carry our compost but Hayato is OK with borrowing his two-wheel dolly to cart compost to the bins or piles, just keep clean and return promptly.
  • LABELS. Stacey is designing labels for the bins so everyone knows what they are for, how to handle them, and where they are kept. They will be applied soon.
  • ACTION ITEMS:
    • Bin labels – coming.
    • Compost buckets – might consider at least one “jumbo” size for large groups (5-gal. bucket for now).
    • Universal compost receptacle – UW will be placing one soon near the greenhouses.
    • Contact UW recycling to request one more glass+plastic+aluminum bin on loading dock.
    USE THE SYSTEM – IT WORKS: REDUCE OUR FOOTPRINT, TEACH OTHERS!

Earth Day

  • On the 37th year Earth Day celebration, World Wildlife Fund challenges everyone to try on 10 small changes in our daily activities towards preserving our precious resources. We think that's great so we have an excerpt here.
    1. Don't leave the water running. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or washing the car. Fresh water is one of our most precious natural resources.
    2. Flick off the light when you leave the room. Power plants burn fuels to create energy for your light bulb. Burning fuel makes carbon dioxide that adds to global warming. The less energy you use the less they need to make, and you'll save on your energy bill.
    3. Print on both sides of the page at work. It's easy to change your printer settings - you'll use half the paper and save trees.
    4. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water. It works just as well as hot in your washing machine and cuts back on energy use.
    5. Ditch the paper cups. Bring in a glass to keep at work instead of using the paper ones by the water cooler.
    6. Use the right settings on your appliances. Many appliances, like your dishwasher and refrigerator, come with energy-saving settings. Make sure they're turned on.
    7. Turn off your computer at the end of the day. A monitor left on overnight uses enough energy to print 5,300 copies.
    8. Look at the labels. Take the paper items with the "recycled" emblem over the ones without or look for the Energy Star symbol when buying new appliances.

Useful resources within the Department

  • histology supplies
  • Rechargeable batteries, donated by The GPSS committee, are available in the Kincaid stockroom (in the same place as binoculars and other field equipment) for grad student check out. Please use the sign-out sheet next to the batteries.

Useful links within UW

Useful links outside UW

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