UD SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
WASTE AND RECYCLING
Does UD Recycle? ABSOLUTELY! BUT WE CAN DO BETTER.
Improper disposal of plastics and non-biodegradable materials negatively impacts ecosystems. Recycling promotes public health, reduces pollution, saves resources, and can create jobs. While the amount of recycled waste decreased by 87.2% between 2013-2022 and the amount of waste that was not recycled has increased across the same period by roughly 18.2%, recent rates show improvement of a ~25% recycling rate. UD is committed to improving its recycling rates in the coming years and continues to push recycling initiatives and education by participating in events such as Campus Race to Zero Waste each Spring.
Does UD Compost its Organic Waste? YES!
Organic waste produces high levels of methane in landfills that contributes toward greenhouse gas emissions. Composted food waste can significantly reduce these emissions and can be an ecofriendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. Starting in 2023, all food waste in our dining halls is now being sent to an anaerobic digestor to break down our waste into biofuel and organic solids to be used for farming.
Does UD Recycle and Minimize Construction Waste? YES!
Construction and demolition waste in landfills have a negative impact on the environment. Construction waste contributes to the methane emissions of these landfills and exacerbates air pollution. Not taking advantage of recycling and repurposing construction waste also leads to a faster depletion of building materials. Therefore the University of Delaware has standards and procedures for handling construction waste. Contractors periodically re-submit a “Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan” that follows industry and state standards. This plan specifies which materials are to be examined for possible salvaging, hazardous materials that require a special disposal process, and the materials that should be diverted to the landfill.
What Can I Recycle?
