Paper use and behavior change are also important areas where mitigation is possible. Recycling strategies keep items out of the landfill through better recycling infrastructure, increased recycling rates, and changing social norms. Items that reach the end of their useful life may be recyclable and made into new products. “One person’s trash is another’s treasure” captures the essence of focusing on reuse as a strategy. Strategies that focus on reuse keep items out of the landfill through salvage programs, donations, and giveaway options. This includes reusing or donating items and materials such as office supplies, electronic equipment, furniture, etc.

Once items, materials, and packaging make it to campus, options exist to divert them from the landfill once they are deemed no longer useful by the Colgate community. Focusing on source reduction is important because it reduces labor and time (through handling, storage, and separation) and reduces greenhouse gas emissions through less waste entering, and therefore, leaving the university. Source reduction strategies reduce the amount of packaging and materials before they enter the campus waste stream.

Purchasing decisions, new policies, and working with major supplies/contractors are all important options here.

Preventing unnecessary materials and packaging from entering the university in the first place, offers the first important strategy in reducing Colgate’s landfill waste. A number of initiatives and programs can be implemented to reduce the overall amount of waste Colgate sends to the landfill.

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