The Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation is teaming up with the University of Colorado to advance foodwaste composting in the State. Grant funding was provided recently for CU-Boulder to research and recommend ways to handle this challenging part of the waste stream.

Institutions like colleges, hospitals, and correctional facilities generate significant amounts of foodwaste. A typical cafeteria can serve over 3,000 meals each day and the resulting organic scraps and food -related paper can comprise up to seventy-five percent of total waste generation by weight.

When done properly, composting is a cost-effective strategy for diverting materials from landfills. It has the added benefit of creating valuable fertilizer that institutions can use on their grounds or generate revenue from.

See Planning Guide

The Colorado Materials Exchange (COMEx) has begun a project to build capacity for computer and electronic reuse in Colorado. Computer reuse is the first step towards electronic waste prevention because of its efficient use of raw materials and reduction of contaminants into the waste stream. The Colorado Computer Reuse Project will increase capacity for reuse of computers, peripherals, and other electronics by providing information and opportunities for electronics reuse across the state.

More information

Visit the Colorado Materials Exchange.

Colorado Campus Recycling Network
The Colorado Campus Recycling Network facilitates information exchange between institutions of higher education in Colorado about resource and solid waste management.

Visit the CCRN site.

Recycling and Solid Waste
Presentation for establishing or expanding campus recycling programs and integrating them with solid waste disposal. Resources section includes contact information for numerous agencies and organizations.

View the presentation

Soft Drink Vending Contract Revision
The products and packaging entering the campus from vendors’ contracts have direct financial and environmental impacts on the campus. Soft drink packaging in particular may have significant effects on a campus recycling program.

"Soft Drink Vending Contracts and Recycling: A Toolkit for Change" was prepared for the College and University Recycling Council. It is designed to help maximize the level of recycling associated with soft drink vending while promoting vendors’ assistance in recycling and waste reduction.

The Toolkit includes sample bid language, options to address recycling and waste reduction concerns, a cost analysis of converting vending machines from aluminum cans to plastic bottles, and case studies from nine schools around the country.

View the document: "Soft Drink Vending Contracts and Recycling: A Toolkit for Change"

CU Recycling’s Director toured the recycling and solid waste management operations at the Winter Olympic games in Salt Lake City. While the effort to divert recyclable and compostable materials is commendable, the operation should not be emulated until important improvements are made.

Click here for photos.