MIT Waste Audit: MIT Students Add Up their Trash

On Monday, October 3rd, MIT’s Laboratory for Energy and the Environment (LFEE) and Environmental Programs / EHS Headquarters Office (EP/EHO ) are sponsoring an audit of dorm waste at MIT to determine what MIT students throw away, and how it could be diverted from the waste stream. The audit will be conducted by MIT students, staff, and volunteers.

The audit is part of a fall Freshman Advising Seminar (FAS 1.A25) entitled, “Greening Our Garbage: Taking Action on MIT’s Trash.” Seminar students are exploring the history and science of solid waste, and discussing how the world’s solid waste challenges apply to MIT. The waste audit data will inform ideas for MIT’s waste management and recycling programs, specifically focusing on students. Students will analyze a one-week sample of solid waste from Simmons dorm, and will make recommendations about how students could reduce their trash volume. The event will also serve as an educational opportunity for other members of the MIT community. The audit will take place in Kresge Oval, near the high-traffic Student Center, and will encourage passersby to ask questions of the students and supervising staff.

Information gathered in this effort will benefit both MIT and the local community: the city of Cambridge has established a goal of 40% recycling by 2005, and MIT has pledged to share that goal. The Institute’s total waste management budget is approximately $1 million and improvements to our recycling and waste reduction programs offer good opportunities to reduce this figure significantly. By achieving a 40% recycling rate, MIT can save $100,000 or more per year in avoided trash disposal charges.

The waste audit will take place at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on October 3rd at Kresge Oval in front of the Student Center (84 Massachusetts Avenue) at MIT. In case of rain the date of the event will be moved to October 17th. Photographs are permitted and also will be available from the organizers after the event; contact Dr. Amanda Graham at 617-253-8995 or agraham@mit.edu for more information. Volunteers are welcome to participate and should also contact Dr. Graham in advance of the event.

Contact:
Amanda Graham, Ph.D.,
Education Program Manager, Laboratory for Energy and the Environment, MIT
Phone: 617-253-8995
E-mail: agraham@mit.edu

Steven Lanou, MCP,
Program Manager - Sustainability Initiatives, Environmental Programs / EHS Headquarters Office , MIT
Phone: 617-452-2907
E-mail: slanou@mit.edu