UOS | Facilities Maintenance Operations | Recycling

The Harvard Yard Soils Restoration Report

FMO is sharing in the promising results of the recent Harvard Yard Soils Restoration Project. This pilot effort, which started last spring, clearly demonstrated that plant health could be significantly improved even in a highly traveled urban landscape using only natural methods…no chemicals or synthetic fertilizers! Biological soil amendments that restored the plants’ natural nutrient cycles were created using only specially prepared composts and compost teas. The results included dramatically improved root growth accompanied by a significant reduction in irrigation needs. This joint effort was led by FMO and included Harvard Design School professor Michael Van Valkenburgh, the FAS Physical Resources office, and the Office for Sustainability.

To learn more about Organic Landscaping at Harvard, click here »

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Grammy Award for Pete Seeger

We were amused to see that Pete Seeger won a Grammy Award last month for "Best Traditional Folk Album" for "At 89."  One of the tracks is entitled "If It Can't Be Reduced," consisting almost entirely of the famous quote from the Berkely CA Zero Waste Commission:

"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, re-designed or removed from production." 

"Hooray for the City of Berkeley!"  And hooray to Pete Seeger.  Some of Pete's other environmental chestnuts include "Garbage, Garbage, Garbage," "Boxes, Little Boxes" and "Old Father Hudson." 

Read more about the new album "At 89" here >>

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New site for sustainability programs at UOS!

When you log on to www.uos.harvard.edu/sustainability you'll find comprehensive information on all of our programs and services that help improve the environment. New this month, details on the Solar Thermal System recently installed at Blackstone. Plus, learn how Engineering and Utilities is saving energy the 'cool' way.

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When donating file cabinets and desks, please unlock, open up and clean out all drawers.  We cannot receive any furniture with unknown contents.  Likewise, please make sure all computers, smart phones and other electronic devices are purged of any confidential information.  Harvard Recycling does not shred or otherwise destroy any confidential materials we pick up or that are delivered to the recycling and surplus center.  Thus it is the responsibility of the donor or recycler to make proper arrangements to protect confidential information.  Please call us if you need extra recycling barrels or more pickups when cleaning out offices and furniture.  Our preferred vendor for shredding and recycling of confidential records is DataShredder at 1-800-622-1808.

 

Please keep in mind that parking space limitations force us to be STRICT ABOUT PARKING RULES.  Please respect our neighbors' need to maintain safe traffic flow around the Recycling and Surplus Center.  When here for Thursday's Surplus Distribution, follow the parking monitor’s direction and park only in designated areas.  You may also park in the free spaces in the streets adjacent to the property.  If you are interested in seeing any of the items now available, come to our Recycling and Surplus Center at 175 North Harvard Street in Allston any Thursday from 11 to 2 PM.  Everything is free, first-come, first-served and open to everyone.

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Give up Carbon for lent!

GIVE UP CARBON FOR LENT!  Check out the wonderful suggestions to reduce your carbon footprint while you celebrate the Christian holy season of Lent.  We would add, "Recycle your bulletins and flyers from your house of worship or Harvard congregation.":

http://www.gwipl.org/lent.asp

 

LESS STUFF = MORE FREEDOM!  Read this fascinating article about the unexpected graces and rewards from giving away unwanted goods.

 

March 2009 - View Archive

March Harvard Recycling Update

Red Tailed Hawk spotted at 33 Elmwood

NEW RECORD FOR THRIFT!

Harvard threw away even less trash in January (366 tons) than in December (392 tons), the previous all-time low.  This cuts our year-to-date total to 9% below this time last year.  At the same time, we are recycling and composting more than ever at an annual rate of 55%.  Did digging out from all those snowstorms merely delay our custodians' efforts to take out the trash?  Perhaps, but we doubt it.  We think these excellent results are due to the fabulous waste reduction, re-use and recycling efforts of members of the Harvard community.  So our thanks to you all!

...and our standings in the RecycleMania competition with our peer institutions should also give us pride.  HARVARD LEADS the IVY LEAGUE in several divisions of the US EPA-sponsored contest, including "Grand Champion," "Tons Recycled," and "Food Service Organics."  We are 2nd to Yale in "Per Capita Recycling Rate."  Harvard is running #2 in the nation out of 514 schools competing for the "Gorilla Prize" for most tons recycled.  Let's push to recycle all we can and discard as little as possible through March 28 when the contest ends!  File clean-outs, anyone?  See all the results here: http://www.recyclemaniacs.org/results.aspx

Valentine’s Day Cosmetics Drive

Thanks to all you HARVARD VALENTINES, we were able to collect 1,967 pounds of cosmetics for the Cambridge Family Shelter of the YWCA.  Read about their important mission here: http://www.ywcacam.org/about.htm   All that lipstick, hair conditioner, nail polish and soap was put to good use at the Shelter's 7th annual Valentine's Day Party, complete with hair stylist and cosmetologist who donated their time to pamper the residents.  "Kathy" sent us this thank-you note after last year's party: "Just a special thank you for a nice party.  We had a great time, and I loved my goodie bag.  Thank you.  God bless you. "  Here are some of the generous donors and department coordinators from many corners of the University:  BUSINESS SCHOOL: Stephen Coughlin, Meghan Duggan; CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION: Whitney Bestwick, Laura Eagan, Kris Locke, Berley McKenna, Dara Olmsted, Betsy Shortell, Art Strauss,  ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCES: Sheila Ferguson; FACULTY OF ARTS & SCIENCES: Celeste Beck, Lorraine Boyd, Bob Byrne, Manny Casillas, Miguel Casillas, Jane Collins, Marcia Deihl, Sarah Felch, Herb Fuller, Alyson Galipeau, Zoe Hack, Scott Haywood, Paul Hegarty, Henry Kesner, Cathy Lehar, Mario Leon, Ronnie Levesque, Stephan Magro, Francisco Medeiros, Somer O'Brien, Joe O'Connor, Alicia O’Neill,  Larry Paige, Jon Petitt, Mike Russell, Bob Sammonds, Nancy Shafman, Johannah Shinner, David Simms, Amanda Smith, Helena Sousa, Marcie Steeves, Jorge Teixeiras; HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT: Neal Doyle, Stephanie Hamel, Kate Hoagland, Vidya Sivan; GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION: Laura Arena, Jane Eaton, Kimberly McMahon, Jan Still; LAW SCHOOL: Becky Andreasson, Cara Ferrentino, & Elaine McArdle.  Thanks again to you all!

6th annual FAS CERTOONS Contest

The Office for Sustainability invites you to enter the 6th annual FAS CERTOONS CONTEST!  The theme of this year’s contest is Harvard’s new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal.  Deadline is Thursday, 5 March.  See last year's winners and submit your ideas here!

http://www.greencampus.harvard.edu/CERtoon/

HARVARD ATHLETICS

The Ivy League spotlights the fall recycling activities of HARVARD ATHLETICS!  They forgot to mention that our success was due to Green Heroes George Langley, Jon Lister & Sharon Lorince.  See the official Ivy League Website here:

http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/article.asp?intID=6986

 

RECYCLE aT HARVARD AND AT HOME!

 How do you recycle an old COMPUTER?  From all buildings it services, Harvard Recycling picks up computers, media equipment, telephones, CD's, DVD's, toner cartridges, appliances and peripheral equipment, including cords, keyboards and mice.  Please be sure to erase all data using KillDisk or similar program.  Download it for free here: http://www.killdisk.com/   Please call us to schedule a pickup of your computer equipment. 

 If you need to get rid of your HOME PERSONAL COMPUTER and your city or town doesn't offer convenient recycling, contact Staples Inc.  They will receive data processing equipment for recycling from any manufacturer, even if they don't sell it.  They will charge a fee for any CRT monitor, but they will receive most other items at no cost.  Read more here: http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/recycling.html

How do you REUSE an old computer?  Read about TWO NEW E-WASTE RECYCLING OPTIONS from Dell!  Goodwill Industries joins Dell's effort to receive all unwanted or broken computers, cell phones, printers, speakers, keyboards etc. for refurbishing or recycling.  Dell also gives you Dell gift cards and free shipping for your old equipment.  Read more here >>

How do you recycle a FLUORESCENT LAMP, thermometer, thermostat or other mercury-containing product?  If you generate it on campus, call Harvard Recycling.  We will recycle these items at no extra cost for any building using our recycling & trash services.  It is more important than ever to keep mercury from the environment, as it is a persistent neurotoxin to all vertebrates (including us).  Tragically, children and pregnant women are warned not to eat fresh water fish caught in Massachusetts waters, as well as several marine species, by the Department of Public Health.  Read more here >>

To recycle MERCURY ITEMS YOU GENERATE AT HOME, click on this nifty Google Maps mercury recycling site locator on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection site:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/hgmap.htm

DLS Sets All Printers To Double-side Copy

DLS SETS ALL PRINTERS TO DOUBLE-SIDE COPY!  This will cut paper costs, reduce refuse and help the environment.  Here is the announcement:  "As we all know, printing at the University wastes a large amount of paper.  In order to do our part for the environment, UIS will be setting all printers that have the ability to print double-sided (denoted by “DN” in the printer model number) to do so by default.  What does this mean for you?  It means that your documents will automatically print double-sided unless you specify otherwise in Print Properties.  It also means that you are helping the University conserve natural resources and save money.  What will you have to do?  Absolutely nothing.  If your printer name ends with “on uis-srv10”, the change to duplex printing will happen behind the scenes with no need for anything do be done at your computer.

This change will occur over the next few weeks. If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to contact the DLS Help Desk at dls@harvard.edu or 495-8411."

HSPH bans plastic bottles!

As part of an ongoing effort to make the School of Public Health more sustainable, HSPH announced on February 17th that the school will no longer be selling bottled water in Sebastian's Cafe. HSPH members are encouraged to take advantage of filtered water dispensed free of charge through the two black spigots near the microwaves by the cafe's entrance. In addition, there is a dispenser on the Ground Floor of the Kresge Building between Rooms G2 and G3. Be sure to bring your favorite refillable water container.  In order to promote and aid this effort, HSPH Operations gave away more than 2,500 eco-friendly refillable containers while supplies lasted during Harvard's ID exchange effort at the School. In addition, Sebastian's Café is pleased to announce that it will have available for sale refillable water bottles for $5.99 each, starting this week. Many departments, such as Epidemiology, also have purchased and installed water filtration systems on their floors.  Read more here:

http://www.greencampus.harvard.edu/lgci/index.php

 

Harvard Strategic Procurement offers discounts on all tap water filtering and dispensing stations through its preferred vendor, Poland Spring.  Their latest "E-News" has this helpful information about working with water filtration service vendors.  "Water drinkers across campus are looking for ways to save money and the environment by switching to water filtration systems from bottled water. Strategic Procurement supports this objective and has worked with preferred vendor Poland Springs to make affordable water filtration available University wide (see http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k46541&pageid=icb.page212702).  For more on Water Purification and other cost savings ideas, visit the Procurement Web Site... The Office of the Controller’s Procurement team has released the Procurement Web Site targeted for those who purchase goods and services as well as those who manage department budgets. In addition to more information about water filtration, you’ll find vendor management ideas, cost savings tips, and regular updates on issues like water filtration."

Support Harvard's Preferred Vendors

Speaking of which...SUPPORT HARVARD'S PREFERRED VENDORS!  Most of us know that using the Preferred Vendors designated by the Office of Strategic Procurement will save money by leveraging Harvard's buying power.  Equally important, the environment will also benefit!  Fewer trucks will hammer campus roads, pollute our air and disturb our scholars.  The vehicles that do come to campus will carry bigger loads and travel shorter distances between deliveries, increasing productivity.  Finally, our society will benefit, as Harvard only contracts with companies that meet their ethical and professional standards.  To see the current list of Preferred Vendors, see the website here:

http://vpf-web.harvard.edu/ofs/procurement/ven_par.shtml

 

6.7 BILLION AND COUNTING... 

See the "World Clock," an amazing compilation of the best current estimates of global population, births, deaths, death causes, etc.

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/WorldClock.php

CAMPUS NATURE WATCH

• AMERICAN WOODCOCK takes shelter from a late winter storm at the entrance to the Museum of Comparative Zoology by Bauer Courtyard.
• RED-TAILED HAWK perches in the branches above 33 Elmwood Avenue. (Photo by George White)
• Three (other?) Red Tailed Hawks soar and call from the Mac quad to Winthrop courtyard, and then to trees along the river (a courtship flight?)
• Three COMMON GOLDENEYE ducks have lots of room to swim near 1230 Soldiers Field Road now that the ice is off the Charles River.
• GREAT BLUE HERON huddles in the rain at dawn on the banks of the newly-open Charles River near 1270 Soldiers Field Road, waiting for its breakfast to swim by.
• AMERICAN KESTREL keeps a watchful eye on the HOUSE SPARROWS out in front of the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
• A delicate whinnying from the white oak behind Sever to the nearby oak by Emerson on the Sever side belies a female DOWNY WOODPECKER that proceeds to forage up the tree.
• Five strutting ROBINS in the Sever Quad scout and hop on the grass, looking for food on the first open grass since December; one pulls up a worm.
• A chirping SLATE-COLORED JUNCO flies across the Sever quadrangle from Robinson to Emerson.
• CHICKADEES chirp as they feed in the AUSTRIAN PINES at the side of Lamont.
• BLUE JAY shrieks repeatedly in the tall tree by the closed Fogg entrance, and another replies from the tall pine in front of Robinson.  Later, the Yard bird flies into a tree by the Quincy Street fence to be closer to its duet partner.
• A crow calls and circles several times over the tree behind CGIS North building.
• WITCH HAZEL by the entrance to the Peabody Museum spreads its yellow blooms.  Witch Hazel also blooms hopefully behind Widener Library.
• PUSSY WILLOWS show their cottony buds by Adolphus Busch Hall
• THANKS  to Campus Nature Watchers Adam Blanchette, Ann Heintz, Sonia Ketchian, Erika McCaffrey, Ricardo Moreno, Bob Stymeist, Nora Dahl and George White.