{"693147":{"#nid":"693147","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Campuswide Waste Bin Standardization Aims to Optimize Landfill Diversion  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Office of Sustainability is implementing new recycling, composting, and waste stations across campus to create a more consistent and user-friendly system in alignment with other University System of Georgia (USG) schools and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kab.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKeep America Beautiful\u003C\/a\u003E guidelines.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe effort supports Georgia Tech\u2019s goal of becoming a zero-waste campus by 2050. The stations will feature signage to help users properly sort recyclable, compostable, and landfill materials, and they will be securely installed to support safer, more efficient collection processes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cStandardized, user-friendly signage is one of the most commonly recognized and important ways to encourage landfill diversion, reduce contamination, and work toward our zero-waste goals,\u201d said Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability. \u201cWe are excited about Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to establishing a campus circular economy with this essential step, and we appreciate our partners for collaborating to complete a project of this scale.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew and Improved Stations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s cross-departmental Zero Waste Task Force, a team founded by the Office of Sustainability to increase campus collaboration in advancing circular economy practices, designed the new stations, which will feature:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e04f44b12743e87f48a91877aa6ae1ea8\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA consistent color scheme:\u003C\/strong\u003E Aligning with best practices from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wastetodaymagazine.com\/news\/green-collection-containers-for-compost\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Enational organizations\u003C\/a\u003E and USG peers, standard colors are now blue for recycling, green for compost, and black for landfill.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e2f92aabcf0dbdb940512d590f3e46a52\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImproved signage and visual cues: \u003C\/strong\u003ENew recycling stations feature additional signage with detailed information about accepted materials specific to Georgia Tech. Signage files for standard and specialty recyclables are available \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/online.fliphtml5.com\/zvwro\/dyhf\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e0c0b81abcf5a3c3738ffb6fc37a7a1b8\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStandard layouts: \u003C\/strong\u003EMaterial streams are laid out in a consistent left-to-right order to help users prioritize recycling and draw the eye to recycling streams first.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eaa2085b6a30d1e3dc94890f1259f7db3\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAggregated, strategically placed outdoor stations: \u003C\/strong\u003EOutdoor stations group each trash can with two recycling cans, shifting the default away from trash and improving collection efficiency. Approximately 65% of outdoor trash cans were previously in standalone locations with no nearby outdoor recycling options.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe campus community can sort and recycle aluminum and plastic types #1 (beverage bottles) and #2 (jugs and bottles) at all new indoor and outdoor stations, plus mixed paper at most indoor stations and compost in select locations. Cardboard recycling continues to be available in dedicated dumpsters and drop-off points throughout campus. A comprehensive list of accepted materials is available on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/zero-waste-resource-hub\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EZero Waste Resource Hub\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollaborating to Advance a Circular Economy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModernizing waste and recycling infrastructure across Georgia Tech\u2019s 400-acre campus and extensive building portfolio required significant coordination, more than two years of planning, and months of implementation, culminating in the refurbishment of nearly 600 outdoor receptacles and the replacement of approximately 300 indoor stations. In addition to staff from the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Solid Waste Management and Recycling, more than 15 campus groups played critical roles in bringing the project to fruition.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was especially important to the Zero Waste Task Force to ensure that the process of updating campus waste infrastructure did not generate new waste. This goal informed the choice to refurbish outdoor cans rather than purchasing new ones, a decision that saved costs of $1.4 million and extended the useful life of the cans. The old indoor recycling stations are currently being sold, donated, or recycled in accordance with Georgia\u2019s surplus regulations.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022By refurbishing existing receptacles and standardizing waste collection across campus, Georgia Tech has demonstrated that sustainability and fiscal responsibility can go hand in hand,\u201d said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. \u201cThis initiative reflects our commitment to being best in class by optimizing resources, reducing waste, and creating a more sustainable future for our campus community.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project was funded by Administration and Finance and supported by staff from multiple campus departments:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e2cd0ba457c84f67c40f0f73a9b111d8b\u0022\u003EOffice of Sustainability.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e02dc97648222962f423c0104857c6a72\u0022\u003EOffice of Solid Waste Management and Recycling.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ea7c3d7272d7011031b69db8e8697b76b\u0022\u003EInstitute Communications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e41777605975a2664792de52d69be8d1c\u0022\u003ETech Dining.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e91e09b34248fd31d2a923b0cd2f8bc1b\u0022\u003ECampus Services.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3f361a82c67a9a600ab50fa6ac160bad\u0022\u003EStudent and Campus Event Centers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e616a51cdca0fb53455c997244af0cdba\u0022\u003EPlanning, Design, and Construction.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e87d54f0ab0f9de77056bc4ab85ef947b\u0022\u003EHousing and Residence Life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ea6027033b787d03153605bd47a9a6b87\u0022\u003ELandscape Services.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee4aa9c1da2efde213ed909de22236b3b\u0022\u003EInfrastructure and Operations Analytics Department.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3875de56741536b3a997a1a0887264e8\u0022\u003EStudent Government Association.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e9bd2b709d304a693c47884d8f3fbfc2e\u0022\u003EThe Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022edba548e4764fc8e0d662158e15e5ba14\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e6bfa1c56205ce32c3b93fd453b553848\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Event Staging Department.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ecdbe8a1ab6514efb15810bdf22c40eb0\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Logistics and Surplus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee494d30e4ba55071a95c2faeb6005c93\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech building and facilities managers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is making waste sorting standardized and more 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