"Program Nuts & Bolts pt 1: Getting Started"
Tuesday - April 15, 2008
12:00 pm Eastern/9:00 am Pacific
Approximate duration: 90 minutes
A Presentation of the CURC Webinar Series
Comprehensive recycling and waste reduction programs are not created overnight. While basic collections can be started with relative ease, it takes a concerted effort and many steps to build a comprehensive program that will survive over time. This webinar will look at the steps necessary to creating a successful recycling program such as building administrative support, reaching out to campus stakeholders, creating a long term waste reduction plan and program manager positions, as well as present case studies from several schools that are in the process of creating programs or have successfully done so.
Series Moderator
Christine von Kolnitz Cooley
Sustainability Manager
Medical University of South Carolina
Christine Cooley is the Sustainability Manager for the Medical University of South Carolina. She has overseen recycling at MUSC since 1995 and took on the sustainability position in 2006. The MUSC Recycling Program has received numerous awards since her arrival. MUSC has received over $300,000 in grants for recycling and sustainability projects.
Upon graduating with a BA degree from the College of Charleston in 1992, Christine worked as the Recycling Coordinator for the College. While working at the College, she was instrumental in establishing the SC DHEC Collegiate Grant Program. In 2004, Ms Cooley and Karyn Kaplan of the University of Oregon co-wrote a recycling book titled Recycling and Beyond: A College Campus Primer. Ms. Cooley is a Clemson Extension Master Waste Educator and a member of the National Recycling Coalition's College and University Recycling Council (CURC) steering committee. Ms Cooley was appointed to the City of Charleston Green Committee in 2007.
Presenters
Karyn Kaplan
Operations Sustainability and Recycling Program Manager
University of Oregon
Karyn Kaplan is the Operations Sustainability and Recycling Program Manager at the University of Oregon. As one of the founder's of the Campus Recycling Program as a student in 1990, Karyn has served as the Recycling Program Manager which has laid the foundation for sustainable campus practices at the University of Oregon, which has evolved into including sustainability within the program.
One of the unique features of the University of Oregon's Recycling Program is that it is completely staffed by student employees, academic interns and volunteers. Over 1000 students have worked in the Program over the years bringing the University of Oregon prestigious recognition and notable environmental and economic benefits. The Program has grown to collect materials at over 1500 centralized sites, provide waste recovery at campus events, perform regular educational activities and implemented several cost saving reuse programs such as the Campus Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE). In 2006-07, the program recovered 1495 tons of recyclables or 47% of the waste stream. 850 tons was just paper, which saved over 14,833 trees and much more. The Program is currently undertaking implementation of a public composting system. The University of Oregon continues to evolve and grow into new directions with exciting sustainability initiatives.
Laurie Cousart
Director, Business Services
University of Pennsylvania
Laurie Cousart is a Director for the University of Pennsylvania’s Division of Business Services, which operates campus housing, dining, conference services, bookstore, computer store, transit, parking, hotels, purchasing, publications and other areas of operation. Laurie oversees Penn’s food services operations and has been involved in adding local food and farmer’s markets programs to campus dining hall. This academic year, she and many others launched Penn’s first entry into RecycleMania, learning much about recycling operations and challenges along the way. Laurie also helps to provide staffing and coordination for Penn’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee and its working subcommittees, established after Penn President Gutmann signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. Laurie is now enrolled in Penn’s Masters of Environmental Studies program and is working to implement an Eco-Reps program.
Alec Cooley
Collegiate Programs Manager
National Recycling Coalition
Alec Cooley is the Collegiate Programs Manager at the National Recycling Coalition.
He first got involved with collegiate recycling programs as a student recycling coordinator at Ft Lewis College and Humboldt State University in the early 1990’s. After graduating from Humboldt State in 1995 with a degree in History, he worked for the Arcata Community Recycling Center in Northern California for two years as Collections Manager. From 1997 to 2006 managed the solid waste and recycling program at Humboldt State before taking the current position with the National Recycling Coalition.
Alec is a past steering committee member of the California Collegiate Recycling Council and past board member of the California Resource Recovery Association, including Board President 2005-06.