New Business —

The committee goes around, does brief introductions, and welcomes back. 

Cameron Lauer gives an overview report on recycling:

• The recycling program is funded through student fees. Last year, Student Senate initially voted to defund recycling. After conversations, this has been changed. 
• Not sure how this will be for next fiscal year as there is potential of being defunded by Student Senate. 
• Cameron will be meeting with Honey Creek (with city of Lawrence). 
• There has been focus on aluminum recycling – you’ll see aluminum containers on campus.
• The other area that has changed is pick up of corrugated cardboard. 
• Single stream recycling does cost money. Trying to focus on things that make money – to help supplement as much as possible so single stream recycling can be taken care of for campus.
• On average, do approximately 20 tons of single stream recycling per month, and approximately 4 tons of book recycling. Don’t have exact numbers for aluminum recycling.
• What about data on food waste? Cameron’s area doesn’t have that data.
• There isn’t a map for where single stream recycling locations are. 
• Housing no longer does single stream recycling due to disinfection and the cost. 
• It may provide some benefit for indoor single stream recycling for some areas. 
• Disinfection Rates – info graphics, posters, etc. – if this would be helpful. Vince volunteered to help as he has access to communication resources. 

• The aluminum containers don’t have the contamination issue that other single stream recycling do. 
• The idea of a “map” of recycling areas may be very helpful. Vince may be able to help with this.
• What about the consistency of the bins and pairing? Are the bins paired with trash receptacles at the same time? The  placement of bins may have an impact on the contamination rate. Not having the bins paired together can create challenges and increase contamination rate. Keeping the recycle and trash bins together is an intent for Facilities and Planning. If there is only once receptacle, it can become a trash receptacle regardless. 
• The Kansas Union is separate from campus placement. The way the Union recycles may be different.

If one of the focuses of the committee is going to be recycling – one of the more affordable options is Atlas Zero Waste : https://www.postlandfill.org/atlas

It’s very difficult to go completely zero waste but having the data in one place can be helpful. Jade would be happy to talk to faculty, staff, or students interested. It can be a strong resource – please feel free to reach out to Jade with questions. 

• The City of Lawrence doesn’t have a single stream recycling process. Cameron is going to give City of Lawrence a tour around campus. If Cameron could get feedback from Student Senate.  A challenge is that Student  Senate turns over each year so the priorities change.
• Cameron would like an overall opinion of where Student Senate plans to go in the next year. 
• Would it be helpful to invite Callie Long and Ian Saxton? 

The housing and academic sections have been separated. Therefore, Cameron is specifically talking about academic side.

What about subcommittees? 

• What do we know about the other KBOR schools’ recycling programs?
• Should there be a subcommittee surrounding KU Grounds and biodiversity? 
• Data Collection: start reporting on STARS data.
• It’s helpful to do a lit review first prior to jumping into research. Should the first step be a literature review? 
• Who are our peer campuses, and what do they look like? 
• There is conversation about a walking campus tour meeting with Joe Fearn and the grounds crew. 
• Identify gaps in real tangible ways – would be good to have real tangible ways to start making progress. 
• The committee plans to meet again next month. 

Meeting adjourned.