Recycling Policy

The university seeks to maximize the recycling of waste materials. Our initial objective is to achieve a minimum level of 50% recycling of our solid waste stream established to guide the continual improvement of our program.

In order to accomplish our recycling objectives, the following steps will be taken:

UB Green, with support and guidance from the University's Environmental Stewardship Committee’s Recycling Subcommittee, will develop guidelines and mechanisms for campus recycling.

• Faculty and staff in all offices and departments will participate in the recycling effort by following instructions regarding the separation of recyclable and non-recyclable materials and by placing recyclable materials in appropriately marked recycling containers. Resident and commuter students are also expected to participate in campus recycling efforts.
• UB Green and Campus Custodial Services will monitor progress on recycling with assistance from the Environmental Stewardship Committee’s Recycling Subcommittee. Lack of participation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
• Members of the university community are expected to work together to optimize the recycling process consistent with work productivity. 100% involvement is expected.

In order to close the loop, all university offices and departments are strongly encouraged to purchase and maximize the use of products made of recycled materials, and are required under the university’s Recycled Paper Policy  to purchase 100% post-consumer content recycled paper.

Recognizing that waste reduction is preferable to recycling, all university offices and departments are also strongly encouraged to utilize waste reduction techniques including the use of double-sided copying and electronic mail. Many paper saving techniques are appropriate to university office activities and should be employed as a matter of daily routine.

The University at Buffalo, as a matter of sound management principles, seeks to identify practices which involve damage to the environment and to encourage new practices that are consistent with environmental protection.

The UB Senior Officers Conservation Policies and Procedures statement was adopted in 1995 by the University's Administrative Group. This policy states that "all paper that can be recycled (including shredded paper) should be recycled." It also endorses the use of recycled paper and calls for the adoption of waste minimization strategies.

In 1993, UB's "Campus Work/Production Processes Policy" was approved and stated that the university "will constantly strive to promote and publicize the implementation of work/production processes which maximize the use of recycled products, minimize or eliminate waste, seek economies and efficiencies, and reduce the consumption of energy." This policy implies a commitment to recycling, as does existing state law and regulation.

The New York State Solid Waste Management Act of 1988 established the state policy on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. The New York State Solid Waste Management Plan has set a statewide waste reduction and recycling goal of 50% by 1997. To successfully implement this policy, state agencies must play a leadership role. Executive Order 142, issued January 1991, directs state agencies to initiate waste reduction and recycling activities in all state-owned or leased facilities. Additionally, this order mandates that state agencies use recycled paper for letterhead and other paper uses unless a suitable recycled paper product is not available or the cost of the recycled paper product exceeds the cost of the non-recycled paper by more than 10%.

On April 24, 2008, Governor Paterson issued Executive Order #4 that states in part:

Commencing no later than July 1, 2008, all copy paper, janitorial paper and other paper supplies purchased by each State agency or authority shall be composed of 100% post consumer recycled content to the maximum extent practicable, and all copy and janitorial paper shall be process chlorine-free to the extent practicable, unless such products do not meet required form, function or utility, or the cost of the product is not competitive.

Commencing no later than July 1, 2008, all State agency and authority publications shall be printed on 100% post-consumer recycled content paper. Where paper with 100% postconsumer recycled content is not available, or does not meet required form, function and utility, paper procurements shall use post-consumer recycled content to the extent practicable. Non-recycled content shall be derived from a sustainably-managed renewable resource to the extent practicable, unless the cost of the product is not competitive.