-MaryKathryn McCann ’18

“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” – an environmentally friendly saying that nearly everyone is familiar with, yet there seems to be a lack of recycling on our campus.

Over the last few years, Colgate has seen decreasing recycling rates. In 2016, during an annual recycling event Recyclemania, Colgate campus was recycling at a rate of 14.45 percent – the lowest average rate since our inaugural year of Recyclemania in 2010.

Townhouse Shed during last years revamp.

Residents in various dorms and apartments, as well as Colgate’s staff and faculty, were seeing a lack of recycling infrastructure and lack of knowledge about recycling around our campus. 

In an effort to create a community where recycling is not an afterthought but rather an instinct, the Office of Sustainability instituted some infrastructural changes over the last year.

In the fall of 2015 and the spring of 2016, the office interns noticed that the recycling and waste sheds by the townhouses had become unorganized. They devised and implemented a plan to revamp the sheds to be specific to recycling, and clearly mark areas for paper to be separated out from bottles, glass and cans .

This weekend, the interns will use this same model to renovate the sheds located around Parker, Newell, and Birch apartments.

Over the last few weeks, new recycling bins containing a separate section for paper, metals/glass/plastic, and landfill waste, were placed in various buildings across campus to promote better recycling habits. Many of these bins are concentrated in the first-year and sophomore residence halls, and will continue to replace old bins over time.

New recycling stations located in residence halls and throughout campus.

The office also just piloted its first recycling workshop as a part of the P.E. Passport program in an effort to better inform and engage students around topics of recycling and sustainability.

In order to ensure success for all of these initiatives and increase our recycling rate, it is essential that our students, staff and faculty are knowledgeable about what can and cannot be recycled. Below are some tips to remember while recycling on campus:

• Separate paper recycling from other recycling
• Paper products that are put in the refrigerator, freezer, or microwave are NOT recyclable
• Pizza boxes are recyclable but not the wax paper inside
• No paper products, bottles or cans with liquid still inside
• The “Bottles and Cans” bin isn’t only for bottles and cans – plastics labeled #1-7 are all recyclable as well as metal and glass
• When in doubt throw it out
• For more information visit our FAQ page or Madison County’s recycling web page.

If we all do our part to separate recyclables and landfill waste, Colgate will become a more sustainable and green campus. Our recycling rates tell a story, be part of the reason we increase them.

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– Madison Smith ’19

Tuesday, I ventured to Frank Dining Hall for the Meet the Farmers event organized by Chartwells and Steven Holzbaur, sustainability manager in dining services at Colgate.  While at the event I had the chance to meet a handful of the local farmers that partner with Colgate’s Dining Services.

Meet the Farmers event outside of Frank Dining Hall

I was able to chat with Common Thread CSA from Madison, Bagel Grove and Brightwaters Farms from Utica, Kriemhild Dairy from Hamilton, and our own community garden. Each of these farms have committed to sustainability for a variety of reasons that I believe are representative of the values we share at Colgate, too.

The farmer from Common Thread looked at sustainability from an educational standpoint. She said, “teaching sustainability leads to more thoughtful students.” Common Thread exemplifies this on their farm by selling local, unprocessed, and fresh produce.  Being transparent and working for food justice is a part of Common Thread’s core mission. They really think about how their food will impact their customers, making sure they are giving people the healthiest options.

The representative from Bagel Grove took a different approach by expressing how taking control of food is an obvious way to be sustainable. To her, a lot of the food that we eat now is like “poison,” so she works to create much more wholesome goods.

Kriemhild also believed that being environmentally friendly means having a responsibility towards the earth which results in a sense of empowerment.

Representatives from the Colgate Community Garden

Beyond environmental concerns, sustainability fundamentally encompasses social and economic issues.  I asked how partnering with Colgate has benefited their farms and their communities. The Colgate Community Garden appreciates the help from students and community members and feels that they give back by educating Hamilton citizens about sustainable agriculture as well as partnering with the Hamilton Food Cupboard. Bagel Grove was able to gain more business and extend their reach to a broader part of central New York through Colgate – something that can only benefit their customers as they are exposed to simpler foods.

Finally, I introduced the farmers to Colgate’s Project Clean Plate. They loved the idea considering they already do a lot to reduce their own food waste. Brightwaters Farms donates its leftover tomatoes and cucumbers to places like rescue missions and veteran food pantries while the community garden donates half of its produce to the Hamilton Food Cupboard. Bagel Grove turns all of its leftover bagels to bagel chips so that they can still be sold rather than thrown away. Additionally, all of the farms practice regular composting and reuse it in their soils.

The Colgate community shares many of the same values as these farms, such as, composting, waste reduction, and giving back to the community. If we put these values into greater practice, however, we would be a much more sustainable campus overall.

Events like this help remind us where our food comes from and why partnering with the right producers is so important!

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Many individuals on campus are frustrated by the amount of unsolicited mail they receive.  Not only are some of these advertisements and other announcements bothersome, but they also waste heaps of paper, ink, and toner — not to mention the time and money spent printing, delivering, and recycling these announcements.  According to The Center for a New American Dream (whose mission is to advance sustainability by shifting the way we consume), reducing unsolicited mail can have big environmental benefits.  Did you know:

Photo Credit: Wall Street Journal

• Americans spend over 8 months of our lives opening junk mail.
• Over 100 million trees are cut down annually to produce unsolicited mail.  That’s the equivalent of completely deforesting the Adirondacks in only 3 years.
• 44% of unsolicited mail is never even opened.
• Only 1 in 5 pieces of junk mail is recycled.
• Over 5.6 million tons of paper promotions are landfilled each year.
• Americans pay $370 million annually to dispose of unsolicited mail.

It is no wonder so many faculty, staff, and students are unnerved by the amount of unsolicited mail we receive.  But what can you do?  Below are a few tips:

1) Reduce it on campus. Did you know that Colgate has five separate mail distribution lists?

• Distribution A goes to every employee on campus (~940 mailings)
• Distribution B goes to every faculty member on campus (~540 mailings)
• Distribution C goes to every faculty member and administrator (~610 mailings)
• Distribution D goes to each department (one per department or ~115 mailings)
• Distribution E goes to each student (~2,900 mailings)

If you are producing mail to be distributed on campus, you can easily change your campus distribution list from mailing list A to mailing list D and save over 800 pieces of mail. Alternatively, if you receive unsolicited campus mail from a campus department or program, contact them with a gentle reminder to switch their distribution list. This small change can significantly reduce the amount of paper used, the associated costs to a department and our university’s carbon footprint.

2) Make it eco-friendly. In the event that you need to produce campus mail, use FSC® Certified paper stock. This will significantly reduce the environmental (and social) impacts of producing your mail by ensuring your products come from responsibly managed forests. You can also opt to use soy-based inks. These environmentally friendly inks are renewable, biodegradable and more easily removed during the recycling process. They often produce a richer pigment quality, as well.

3) Recycle it. When you dispose of your mail, please be sure to recycle it in one of the paper recycling bins located in your building.

4) Cut down on mail from outside marketers.  If you receive campus mail from outside marketers or organizations, try this:

• Register for the National Do Not Mail List.  This free service is quick and easy and gives you the option to continue to receive mailings of your choice.  DirectMail.com will contact you every six months via e-mail so you can review and update your preferences.  Visit DirectMail.com to register at http://www.directmail.com/mail_preference/.
• Ask companies to stop sending you catalogs.  If you receive unwanted catalogs or other mail from specific sources, call the toll-free customer service number to request that your name be removed from their mailing list. Also, make your request via e-mail from the company’s website. Have the mailing label handy when you call, or attach a picture of it to your email.  No doubt this takes time, but think of all the time you save by not having to deal with unwanted catalogs that routinely show up on campus.  Also, Catalog Choice offers a free service that sends opt-out requests for individual companies on your behalf.
• At home, if you receive unwanted mail from credit card companies, call 1-888-OPT OUT (or 1-888-567-8688) 24 hours a day.  One short call will remove your name and address from Equifax, TransUnion, Experian and Innovis!

Do you have other ideas on how to reduce or eliminate unsolicited mail?  Please share!

Have other questions about recycling on campus?  Visit our FAQ post!

Thanks for doing your part to save resources and reduce waste on campus and at home!

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Take a few moments to get to know our Summer and Fall 2016 Green Raider Interns. Their energy and motivation are bringing many new and exciting things to the Office of Sustainability this year.

Madison Smith

My name is Madison Smith and I am from New Boston, New Hampshire. I plan on double majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics. In my free time, I am very interested in food and cooking, outdoor activities such as hiking, fitness, and reading.

Isabel Dove

My name is Isabel Dove and I am a sophomore from Collegeville, Pennsylvania planning to major in Geology. Along with promoting sustainable lifestyles, I enjoy playing tennis, traveling, and hiking.

Jackson Lucas

I’m Jackson Lucas, a Geology major from Lexington, Kentucky. On campus you can find me working in the Office of Admissions as a student illustrator, cruising around the Ho working in a micropaleontology lab, or climbing at the Angert Family climbing wall on the third floor of the gym! You can also always find me getting brunch or being outside and exploring new places around Madison county with friends. I’m excited to be in working in the Office of Sustainability this year to help make a lasting change within the Colgate community!

Ashlea Raemer

My name is Ashlea Raemer and I am an Environmental Studies and Biology double major from Troy, New York. I spend all my time in Cooley, giving campus tours, watching reality television, crocheting, and showing people pictures of animals that I’ve met recently.

Miranda Gilgore

My name is Miranda Gilgore and I am a junior double majoring in German and Environmental Geography (although that is yet undeclared). I call Scotia, NY home and when I’m not busy with school work or the clubs I am involved with on campus, I like to craft, hang out with friends, and read articles about Germany.

MaryKathryn McCann

My name is MaryKathryn McCann and I am a current junior from Chester, New Jersey. I am majoring in biology and planning on minoring in religion. This is my second year as an intern and I am excited to continue my work with the Green Ambassador program. My interest in sustainability and the environment has stemmed from my childhood. I have worked with local watersheds in their efforts to clean up the headwaters of various rivers and educate the local community. I started this work at the age of eight and it is still one of my favorite activities to do during breaks. Through this work, I have gained an appreciation for the challenging but rewarding task of environmental issues education. At Colgate, I am excited that I get the opportunity to continue with this passion and share it with a different community.

Revee Needham

My name is Revee Needham and I’m from Lakeville, MN. I am majoring in Environmental Studies and Geography and am abroad in Wollongong Australia this semester! On campus, I’m involved in dancing and greek life. I spend my time trying out new vegetarian recipes, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and petting cats.

Seamus Crowley

My name is Seamus Crowley and I am a junior majoring in Geology, and planning on majoring in Environmental Studies, as well. I was born and raised in Aspen, Colorado. Having spent my whole life surrounded by the Rocky Mountains I have acquired a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Living in a location that is exceedingly susceptible to climate change I have learned the importance of living sustainably in order to preserve the natural world. This is my second year as a Green Raider Intern for the Office of Sustainability. I am particularly interested in issues revolving around climate change, recycling practices, and alternative energy sources. I am looking forward to promoting sustainable practices on campus and moving Colgate closer to the goal of carbon neutrality by 2019 throughout this year!

Grace Thomas

My name is Grace Thomas and I am from the Finger Lakes region in Canandaigua, New York. I am a double major in environmental studies and biology. On campus, I am an intern for Yes Means Yes, a member of Gamma Phi Beta and have served on the executive board for The Vagina Monologues and vegetarian club.

Fiona Adjei Boateng

My name is Fiona and I am from Ghana. I’m a sophomore at Colgate University and still exploring Colgate’s liberal arts options. I decided to get into Colgate’s sustainability because I believe that everybody has a role to play in preserving our environment.
I love to take walks, cook and write fiction novels in my free time.

Anna McHugh

My name is Anna McHugh, and I am a senior from Philadelphia , PA majoring in environmental studies and minoring in education studies. I have been involved with the Sustainability Office for two years and have also been a staff member of Colgate’s Outdoor Education. I love being outside, I spent the summer working for an urban farm in Philadelphia and hiking in the Adirondacks.

Dan Pacheco

My name is Dan and I am beginning my final year at Colgate University, completing a major in philosophy. My extracurriculars on campus (besides sustainability, of course!) include North Broad Street Tutoring (a COVE group), and Theta Chi Fraternity. I also love reading and watching sports. My favorite book is the Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac, and my favorite sports team is the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Julia Feikens

My name is Julia Feikens and I’m from West Nyack, NY. I’m a junior majoring in Environmental Geography with an expected minor in Anthropology. On campus, I’m a member of Delta Delta Delta, the Swinging Gates, and the Colgate Sushi Society. I enjoy swimming, singing, fishing, and bring outdoors. My main passions in sustainability are food distribution and species protection.

Ben Schick

My name is Ben Schick. I am a Senior from Potomac, MD studying Economics and Environmental Studies. In my free time, I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee.

Dominic Wilkins

My name is Dominic and I am a senior studying Religion and Environmental Studies. I am a part of the Link Staff this year, and I am also on the swimming and diving team.

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If you’ve been to Case-Geyer this semester, you may have noticed something new – and no, we’re not talking about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

New Elkay Water Bottle Refill Station located in Case-Geyer Library

Four state-of-the-art Elkay water refill stations have been added to the  traditional drinking  fountains on the first, third, fourth and fifth floors of Case-Geyer. These new filtered water stations have automatic sensors that make it easy for community members to quickly refill a reusable water bottle.

This project was a result of a May 2016 SGA proposal spearheaded by Roxanne Maduro ’17, Nick Mather ’16 and Ben Campbell ’16.  They specifically requested the installation of these new stations and their proposal focused on the waste reduction and environmental benefits of these devices. These stations deliver free, purified water to students while eliminating the production, delivery, and disposal of one-time-use plastic water bottles.  Stations such as these have already replaced the equivalent of over 4 billion plastic water bottles, according to the Elkay website.  

The proposal also highlighted the essential role the stations could play in encouraging sustainable behavior and showcasing sustainable living at Colgate.

The proposal was passed unanimously by the SGA on May 7th, 2016, and the implementation process began over the summer.  The project was paid for entirely by the Sustainability Fund, created by the 2008 class gift that continues to be  supported and replenished with donations. This fund has supported a number of other sustainability projects on campus such as the 8-acre willow field,the Green Bikes program, and new recycling stations throughout our buildings.

Be on the lookout for more refillable water stations at Colgate. The campus goal is to install them in all new buildings and major renovations.

Each station tracks the number of plastic bottles replaced and serves as a wonderful reminder that seemingly small, daily actions can have a profound impact on the environment.

Have you tried these stations yet?  Tell us what you think!

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