From now on, UTAS will only have pre-ordered phonebooks delivered. If you still require a printed phone book, please fill in the Phone Book Request form by mid November.
The University receives thousands of printed phone books each year – most of them are left uncollected in their plastic wrapping. This produces a large waste problem and is a waste of resources. Yes, unwanted phone books can be recycled, but transport and processing for recycling could be saved by not ordering hard copies in the first place.
To find phone numbers and contact details electronically you can simply go to either the Whitepages or Yellowpages
Don’t panic: if you do not order a phone book and at a later date realise you do actually need one, you can pick up a copy from your local post office.
For further information, contact Rowena Zwart, Sustainability Officer, on +61 3 6226 7257.
UTAS Resource Recovery ProgramRecycling is an easy way to reduce our waste to landfill and conserve valuable resources, but it is important to Choose the Right Bin. Take-away coffee cups, food and plastic bags all contaminate our recycling, so please put them in the general rubbish bins (unless you already have a separate food for compost system). A new poster (pdf 527.5KB) has been developed to help remind people about how to do the right thing.
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is continuing to encourage improved resource recovery on campus through its growing Resource Recovery Program (RRP), with the aim to:
The RRP has been taking shape over a number of years to the point where across UTAS there exist a number of opportunities for staff and students to recycle from a number of waste types.
Staff and students can now recycle the following items:
Includes common dry cell batteries (e.g., NiMH; NiCd; Alkaline; and Lithium) in the common sizes(e.g., 9V, D, C, AA, AAA, and ‘button’ cell).
If your Section/ School uses more than three (3) inkjet, toner cartridges or toner bottles a month you may be eligible for a free ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' collection box. Please ask your admin support staff if you have one already and, if not, please call Planet Ark on 1800 24 24 73 to enquire for a free recycling bin. For Uniprint leased photocopiers please call Corporate Express for recycling and replacement of toner (as per the Corporate Express label on the copier call 1300 726 366).
With the help of UTAS Sustainability Representatives, Asset Management Services is also currently rolling out detailed recycling services within a select number of UTAS buildings. We hope to increase the coverage of this service to encompass all building over the next few years.
E-waste refers to all old electrical appliances either in a state of disrepair or simply obsolete; it includes everything from kettles and microwaves to mobile phones and computers.
The UTAS Green ITR Working Group has developed an annual e-waste amnesty service for UTAS staff and students. The first e-waste collection was completed in the last week of September 2011, with two 15-cubic-metre skip bins of e-waste sent off for certified recycling. Another collection is planned soon, so if possible please hold onto your e-waste pending further announcements.
During the Australian Medical Student’s Association (ASMA) Global Health Conference held at the University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay Campus from 1-4 July 2010, a number of organisations collaborated on a food rescue trial where surplus cooked food was collected, repackaged and frozen. This food was distributed as Emergency Food Relief (EFR) to many of SecondBite’s regular recipient agencies, especially those who offer supported accommodation and outreach services. The Trial resulted in over 70% recovery of the event’s organic food waste stream and provided the following recovery outcome:
The Tasmanian Government has produced a terrific guideline on how to make your next event more sustainable (PDF 141.6KB).
A food waste collection trial is underway at the four main food outlets at the Sandy Bay campus in a co-operative arrangement between AMS and Saltz at Accommodation Services, the TUU’s Lazenbys and the Ref, as well as the University Club run by Pickled Pear. This six month trial will collect all food waste (except, of course, that which is diverted to staff member’s chooks, pigs, and goats!) - including bones, leftovers, compostable cutlery and plates - and deliver it to a hot composting facility. This effort ensures diversion of methane producing materials from the McRobies Gulley landfill and, instead, is used to create fantastic gardening materials.
For more information on recycling, contact Rowena Zwart +61 3 6226 7257 or Corey Peterson +61 3 6226 6203