CU Boulder Diverts the Weight of 50 Ralphies in Recycling During Move-In Week 2024
This year, the CU BoulderÌýZero Waste Program provided recycling and composting services for over 20 welcome events. The largest of these events included²¹²Ô»åÌýWelcomeFest, where we coordinated the donation of over 70 leftover meals. Over 9,500 students moved into the residence halls of CU this year.ÌýCU Recycling diverted 13 tons of cardboard, 12 tons of mixed recycling, and specialty items like film plastic and Styrofoam. Additionally, CU staff led threeand two tours of our Zero Waste football stadium for over 150 incoming students.
These results are due to the dedicated efforts of staff and students in theÌýCU Environmental Center,ÌýFacilities Management,ÌýHousing Facilities,ÌýResidence Life, ²¹²Ô»åÌý During move in week, facilities crews can empty cardboard dumpsters as many as seven times during a 12-hour day. Despite broken golf carts and erratic weather student staff diverted 50,000 pounds of recycling from the landfill in five days—equivalent to theÌý, CU Boulder’s beloved 1,000-pound buffalo mascot! This is one example of what being aÌýSustainable Buff looks like. Every student, staff and faculty member on campus can join the herd as a Sustainable buff when they recycling right ²¹²Ô»åÌýreducing their waste. If you are not sure how to start your journey into sustainability, don’t worry- sign theÌýand get all the information you need straight to your email.
Prioritizing reuse and focusing on waste reduction holds the greatest potential for advancing to the circular economy model and can create a zero waste society quicker than recycling alone.Ìý
In May, CU Recycling donated over 42,000 pounds of clothing, furniture, food, textbooks and other usable items from students moving out of the residence halls during our annualÌýGive and Go Donation Drive. Many of the items collected from this event go back to the local community, items like hangers, mirrors, and fans are stored by residence halls to be redistributed to those who arrive in the fall.Ìý
Students living on campus can reduce their impact and be a Sustainable Buff by buying thrifted goods, using a summer storage program, taking items with them when they move and donating what they cannot take with them.
Ready to take action?!
To learn more about how you can participate in CU Recycling, check out these Boulder County resources:
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