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Environmental Studies Department |
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Campus Environmental Issues CommitteeApril 4, 2006
Attendance: Brett Smith (co-chair), Alex Danovitch (Eureka Recycling), Dianna Kennedy (Eureka Recycling), Claire Briguglio, Mark Stonehill, Kathy Johnson, Ruth Janisch Lake, Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Asa Diebolt, Hannah Gelder, Karen Loughney, Megan Bjella. Announcments: The meeting opened with a few brief announcements. Timothy brought up the planning of Earth Week and noted that the previous organizers are no longer organizing the event. Brett noted that spring fest is the same weekend as Earth Week; the earth day picnic will most likely occur from noon-4:30 and spring fest will occur afterwards. Brett also met with Julia Eagles to talk about EnviroThursday for earth week. It was decided that an Earth Week planning meeting will occur from noon-1 on Friday, the 7 th. Brett reminded the group of the distinguished speaker, William Cronin, who is coming to Macalester and is noted for raising questions about the definition of wilderness. He will be speaking at 7:30 pm in the chapel. As a last announcement, Timothy reminded the CEIC that on Wednesdays and Fridays during lunch, anyone can get a CFL light bulb downstairs in the CampusCenter for the dorm wars. Eureka Recycling Presentation: Two representatives of Eureka Recycling, Macalester’s new waste reduction partners, attended the CEIC meeting. United with Vasco, Eureka will redefine and improve Macalester’s trash hauling and recycling. The two representatives that attended the meeting were Alex Danovitch, director of business development, and Dianna Kennedy, director of communications. Dianna began by giving a brief history on Eureka. Eureka is a nonprofit organization rooted in the Neighborhood Energy Consortium. Eureka has been around for nearly 18 years, but became its own individual organization in 2001. Dianna explained Eureka’s commitment to incorporate recycling with both waste management and energy use. She noted that one of Eureka’s primary tools is education and providing materials that are accessible to everyone. Dianna explained that we cannot reach a “waste free tomorrow” simply by recycling, but by increasing reuse and waste reduction. Dianna opened the floor for questions. Timothy asked if Eureka dealt with food waste. Dianna responded that Eureka does and that they have been looking at implementing a compositing program in Saint Paul. She noted that Eureka can manage events and has bee able to compost approximately 95% of and event’s waste, as they will be doing at the Living Green Expo (this event is on May 6 th and 7 th and Eureka is looking for any interested volunteers). Hannah asked where Eureka’s program reaches. Dianna responded that they are in Saint Paul, Lauderdale, Roseville, and Maplewood. Although Eureka does not reach outside of MN, Dianna suggests that the Eureka model can be implemented anywhere. Eureka looks to expand and get big enough to stay sustainable while exemplifying their model. Alex Danovitch spoke about the resource management contract. Eureka, partnered with Vasco, is looking to reduce waste by increasing recycling, decreasing pollution, and decreasing toxicity on campus. Alex noted that it will be useful for Eureka to look at waste during Spring Fest and do an analysis for future years and events. He explained that in order for Eureka to begin a new recycling/trash hauling program, they must create a baseline. This baseline will take 6 months, ending late October, and will establish Macalester’s current levels of trash. The baseline will include types of trash, food waste, recycling, purchasing, paper use, and various other waste related elements on campus. From this baseline, Eureka and Macalester can then create incentives and develop a working program. Dianna commented that in the first year, not too many changes will be seen as the baseline is established and being worked into a valuable plan. Eureka does, however, have some initial ideas. This includes move-out and move-in days, a shift in resources, and composting and organics, along with many others. Dianna explained that Eureka will be working closely with Macalester to find direction and will be creating and editing annual work plans. At this point in the meeting, students began suggesting issues that Eureka could explore. Timothy brought up the aesthetic of recycling, a problem he has been assessing in his own recycling work on campus. Hannah felt that there needs to be a general habit change in campus recycling to which Dianna responded education can make people understand and believe in the efforts Eureka will provide. Brett noted that the recycling website is a valuable tool that needs to be improved. Timothy asked what the recycling student workers need to do with the change in trash hauling and recycling. To this, Alex responded that students should continue the same work until May. There should be a seamless transition into Eureka’s program and changes in Macalester’s actions will be incorporated after the baseline is established. Meeting adjourned at 1pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 18 th. Noon-1pm. Campus Center 206. |
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