UC Waste Watchers
UC Waste Watchers is a recycling and waste education programme launched in 2012 as part of the UC Sustainability Office’s commitment to reducing waste at the UC. With the original recycling system being implemented in 2008/9, over the summer of 2010/11 an audit was taken of over 500 landfill and recycling bags with each piece of recycling removed and logged from both sets of bags. The results showed that item by item more recycling was going to landfill and recycling.
As a result of this audit, the role of Waste Reduction Educator was established in 2011 to: liaise with Cleaning Staff and Mastagard (the recycling and waste company contracted to the UC to remove and sort our waste) to improve the waste infrastructure; redesign signage, website, and other information resources; and create an innovative, comprehensive, and fun education programme to encourage all at the UC to seriously reduce our waste stream.
With new coloured bin hoods, and matching posters and stickers, the first changes to the infrastructure have been designed to make recycling easier for all users.
And to drive the message home that reducing and reusing is always better than recycling, the UC Waste Watchers programme will be launched on campus with a Waste Watchers’ Week from March 12-16. To join in the fun, come to one of the three events happening that week, or look out for Sharon McIver, the Waste Reduction Educator, who will be performing random bin audits during the week.
To find out more about Waste Watchers email sharon.mciver@canterbury.ac.nz
Waste Watchers’ Week
Celebrating the launch of the UC Waste Watchers’ Education Programme
Featuring:
Waste-Lite Market - Monday 12 March, 11-3pm
With food stalls, clothing, bikes, jewellery, and more! Music provided by the RDUnit.
Eco Runway… a sustainable fashion show - Thursday 15 March, 7pm
Featuring upcycled wears from the D&A fashion designers, and sustainable collections from local boutiques, designers, and opshops.
Campus Clean Up - Friday 16 March, 2-4pm
Litter removal from the Avon River, Okeover and Ilam Streams, and beyond with drinks and nibbles at Sustainability House, 118 Ilam Road afterwards for all volunteers.
And look out for the new UC Ideal Reusable Coffee Cups available at the Waste-Lite Market and Café 101.
UC Waste Watchers is an education programme run by the UC Sustainability Office. www.sustain.canterbury.ac.nz/waste
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