Environmental Task Force, campus groups develop recycling policy

Drafted by the university's Environmental Task Force and developed in consultation with various campus decision-making groups, UB's new Campus Recycling Policy has received significant support from a range of UB constituencies. It represents our firm commitment to leadership and good stewardship in environmental matters, which is part of our public service mission.

This policy also seeks to bring UB practice in line with the standards set by New York for all state institutions and organizations. In order to meet the state's objectives for recycling by the end of 1997, we must double our current recycling rate. We must also do more to limit unnecessary waste of resources.

University Facilities will be distributing new containers to support this endeavor. Mike Dupre of University Facilities (829-2326) can answer questions about the recycling program; Bill Bagley (829-2280) can assist with requests for containers or pickups.

It is incumbent on all of us to participate in recycling and to encourage the participation of our colleagues, employees and students.

Sincerely,
William R. Greiner

University at Buffalo Campus Recycling Policy

Background
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 percent 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 percent.

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

This policy is also posted on the UB University Facilities World Wide Web site at http://wings.buffalo.edu/services/fac/.