Closing the Loop on Waste: How Student Waste Becomes a Community Resource

Closing the Loop on Waste:How Student Waste Becomes a

Community Resource

Sustainability Partnerships

Kate Johnson, Associate Director for Community ServiceDave Robertson, Director of Student Programs

Don’t Throw it Away & The Big Sale

• REDUCE the amount of waste produced by students during move-out

• GENERATE capital for non-profit organizations to perform energy upgrades

• EDUCATE about the environmental effects of waste and consumption

DTiA & The BIG Sale

• Student Advocacy- Program began in 2000 by student Natalie McKnight

• Community Resource- local non-profits apply for grant funding to perform energy upgrades on facilities-proceeds have helped fund:– Attic and basement insulation– Energy efficient appliances,

windows– Rewiring– solar thermal and solar PV

installations

Don’t Throw it Away (DTiA)• 8-10 day collection effort

• Designated locations in each residence hall for donations

• Signage around dumpsters- massive educational effort in res halls and on campus

• 400 volunteers logging around 1000 volunteer hours- faculty, staff, and students- community partners also required to log volunteer hours

• Local restaurants donate food for volunteers

Materials Collected• Clothing/Shoes• Furniture• Small Electronics• Bedding and Towels• Carpets and Rugs• Office and School

Supplies• Toiletries• Non-perishable food

items• Fun Stuff (toys, games,

sports, etc…)

Don’t Throw it Away (DTiA)

• Materials stored in Legends facility over summer

• Management Perspective- Approx. 100 hours– Committee members– Student meetings– Collaborative meetings- UH

and ACT– Personal contact- Student

Programs, Legends, Physical Plant, etc…

The BIG Sale

• Items sold at discounted costs• Held the Saturday of move in weekend• 150 volunteers logging 900 hours

Over the Years

• 2010- 2013-last 4 years

– 257 tons of material diverted – $70,000 has been raised

• $120,000 has been raised in 13 years

• Lots of returning customers and items

Questions?Jennifer Maxwell

Resource Conservation SpecialistOffice of Sustainability

828-262-2667maxwelljb@appstate.edu

Ged MoodyUniversity Sustainability Director

Office of Sustainability828-262-2665

moodyge@appstate.edu

Kate JohnsonAssoc. Director for Community Service

Student Programs828-262-3032

johnsonka1@appstate.edu