Solid Waste and Recycling

• Introduction
• Solid Waste Definition
• Legal Aspects of Waste Disposal
• Integrated Approach to Disposal
• Municipal Solid Waste Disposal
• Establishing a Recycling Program
• Program Implementation
• Measuring the Program’s Success
• Educating the University Community
• Contracted Services
• Other Recycling Opportunities
• Waste Reduction
• Summary
• References

Introduction

For many people the term “out of sight, out of mind” would be most appropriate for describing municipal solid waste management. The responsibility ends once the item is put in the trash. In these times of increasing regulatory oversight and societal pressures, this is the last sentiment that physical plant administrators can have about the waste generated at their institutions. Instead, we must be concerned with the eventual disposition of an item before it is even purchased.

This chapter will attempt to define solid waste and outline various approaches to solid waste disposal. Just as there is no one plan for solid waste disposal that all institutions can use, there is not just one strategy that will work within an institution. Instead, an integrated approach that relies on the hierarchy of reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal is needed to effectively manage your institution’s municipal solid waste.

Solid waste management in colleges and universities is taking on increasing importance as most states move to regulate disposal practices and as the university community, especially students, demands greater environmental stewardship. The complexity of this task is challenging but not insurmountable. A systematic approach to disposal of institutional wastes can be undertaken to ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies and the demands of varied constituencies, and it starts with a better understanding of the entire disposal process.