April 11, 2012
News Digest: WasteWise honorable mention, faculty lecturer nominations due, volunteer April 14 at arboretum
EPA awards UW WasteWise honorable mention
The University of Washington has received a WasteWise honorable mention from the Environmental Protection Agency for colleges or universities that excel at waste prevention, recycling and buying or manufacturing recycled-content products. The honor was awarded last month at an EPA Business Sustainability Forum, hosted by Microsoft in Redmond.
“Its an honor to receive this award on behalf of the university,” said Gene Woodard, UW building services director. “This is an important milestone in our community-wide effort to increase waste diversion. Being recognized by the EPA in front of regional sustainability leaders was an extraordinary experience.”
Waste diversion involves redirecting waste away from landfills by such things as recycling and composting. The university reported a diversion rate of 57 percent for 2011, translating into 6,417 tons of waste diverted from landfills. Campus waste diversion efforts also aided in avoiding disposal costs of more than $900,000.
“The EPAs WasteWise award gives us further incentive to build on our sustainability efforts here at the UW,” said Emily Newcomer, program operations manager for UW Recycling & Solid Waste.
Nominations for University Faculty Lecturer Award due April 20
Nominations are being accepted until April 20 for the University Faculty Lecturer Award. The award honors current or emeritus faculty whose research, scholarship or art has been widely recognized by their peers and whose achievements have had a substantial impact on their profession, on the research or performance of others and, perhaps, on society as a whole. The nomination letter should include a supporting statement summarizing the nominee’s accomplishments and impact, speaking ability, ability to adapt his/her academic interest to a broad audience, and a list of important publications. Send nominations to secretary of the faculty at secfac@uw.edu.
Yank invasive plants, mulch, groom trails April 14 in arboretum
Get your hands dirty Saturday, April 14, helping to improve the Washington Park Arboretum, a part of the UW Botanic Gardens. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the Student Conservation Association, the botanic gardens and Seattle Parks and Recreation for a day of service projects including removing non-native invasive plants, mulching, grooming trails and other projects. Meet in the Meadow, which is a five minute walk south of the Graham Visitors Center. Tools, gloves, project materials and some drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information and to register, go to the event’s website, email the Student Conservation Association at wanw@thesca.org or call 206-324-4649.
