Zero waste moves forward

After a super successful zero waste football season last year, thanks to Ralphie's Green Stampede, CU is working to reduce waste even more, at athletic events and across campus.

"We're changing the universe a little bit," says Dave Newport, Director of the Environmental Center.

Last year's season was impresssive, with the collection of more than 40 tons of recyclables and compostables, a 199 percent increase in materials diverted from landfills and a 30 percent reduction in overall waste generation both within Folsom Field and at tailgate lots. 80 percent of waste was diverted  from the football stadium.  Of the 20 percent that was not, much of that was materials like potato chip bags and candy wrappers that can't be composted. Starting this semester all sporting events will be moving to zero waste.

Zero waste will also be incorporated on other parts of campus as part of a plan to scale the campus to becoming completely zero waste by 2012.  Starting Sept. 1 desk side garbage pick up will be stopped in an effort to
encourage composting and reduce waste.  Buildings will have central garbage, recycling and composting.  No school has ever done anything like it before.

These steps are all part of the campus climate action plan to reduce the school's carbon footprint.  The first phase of the plan, called the Governor's Executive Order Phase, runs from now until 2012 and the goals are, as compared to 2005 levels:

• 20 percent reduction in energy intensity
• 20 percent reduction in paper consumption
• 10 percent in water consumption
• 25 percent volume reduction in petroleum
• fuel ues
• zero waste for new construction and campus operations

The move to zero waste is a big step along the way, and so far it has been a run away success.  Volunteers are still needed to help out at all the home games.  If you're interested contact ecenter.colorado.edu.