Waste Stream Reduction

In the 2008 fall semester the Green Team audited our food and trash streams at Peace College. Due to campus wide exposure and the lessons learned from those initial audits substantial reductions in our waste stream has been realized. For the 2009 fall semester we have nearly doubled the amount of material we recycled in the fall of 2008.

We recently audited our food and trash stream for this semester. Improvements in our trash stream were noted immediately! As compared to last year we had to work a little harder to find items that we could recycle. In addition, we found no Styrofoam, the largest single item in terms of bulk in our 2008 audit. As a team we agreed that there are 2 items, plastic bottles and paper that we should focus on going forward. Both continue to be discarded at a high rate. Plastic bottles are the largest items in terms of bulk in this year’s audit.

On average Americans throw away 25% of the food we prepare. Our estimates show that the Peace College community is no better or worse than the national average. However the Green Team feels we can do much better. We are optimistic, promoting smaller portions and improved labeling will reduce the amount of food we throw away each day.

Thanks to the many within the Peace College community that have committed to reduce, reuse and recycle. With your help Peace Strengthens!

-