UH is producing very large volumes of shredded paper. Do we need to shred quite so much? Do we need to shred quite so small? While shredding down to confetti size pieces with a cross-cut shredder which cuts paper both lengthwise and widthwise seems more secure, it creates problems for disposal of the product; confetti cannot go into the paper recycling stream. On the other hand, paper from strip-cut shredders which cut paper lengthwise into long thin ribbons can be collected and recycled.

To reduce shredding to a minimum, and increase the amount of easily recyclable paper, it would be helpful if people would review their office procedures as to which documents actually require shredding. Certainly some student records and personnel information would require secure disposal, while less sensitive yet "private" documents could be shredded into ribbons, and routine office correspondence of the least sensitive nature could be recycled in bulk without shredding.

To assist in sorting it's a good idea to place receptacles available for all but the most sensitive disposal category (which would go straight to a cross shredder) beside your desk or next to your wastebasket. This can be accomplished by simply pressing into service the boxes that paper comes packaged in.

Of course even better would be to find ways to reduce paper use at the same time by taking full advantage of UH's move toward online procedures and services such SECE (Student Employment & Cooperative Education), SuperQuote™, SurveyShare, and eTravel to name just a few. 

The ultimate in disposal of sensitive material is to go into vermicomposting and let the worms go at it. Recycling and complete disintegration all in one! In the vermicompost process earthworms and micro-organisms turn waste into nutrient-rich humus, a common component of soil, which is an ideal earth-friendly fertilizer. In ideal conditions worms can eat at least their own weight of organic matter in a day. Suitable sources of material for the worms to consume include ribbon shredded corrugated cardboard, computer paper, and newspaper (even the ink is okay), along with organic waste such as vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds (with filters) and tea bags.

In a joint project sponsored by several UH groups, including Buildings and Grounds Management, Dr. Theodore Radovich and a few of his students are experimenting with vermicomposting in two worm bins near Sherman Laboratory on the UH Manoa campus. They're conducting experiments and will soon use the end product as fertilizer. According to Dr. Radovich, "The worms seem healthy and are producing a good result for us. A large quantity of compost is finishing at the bottom of the right hand bin, and will be applied to the adjoining courtyard." Over the course of four months the group has recycled 12 pounds of shredded paper bedding in one bin. Dr Radovich estimates that a 30 gallon garbage bag holds about 6 pounds of shredded paper. As part of the experiment they are also maintaining additional bins in a Sherman lab and have a replicated vermicomposting trial in the Pope greenhouse with two species of earthworms and two feeding regimes.

Ribbon-shredded paper forms base for vermicomposting in top of bin at Sherman Lab.	The vermicompost process begins when worms/organic waste are added.	Dr. Theodore Radovich inspects vermicompost 'humus' at bottom of Sherman Lab bin.

Groups sponsoring the Manoa experiment include:

• UH Facilities Management
• The Sustainable Farming Systems Laboratory, TPSS
• The Horticulture Society of UH
• Sherman Courtyard Native Plant and Ecosystem Education Garden

For more information concerning the Sherman Lab project or vermicomposting contact:

• Roxanne Adams, Building and Grounds Management, UH Manoa 956-4023
• Dr. Theodore Radovich, Tropical Plant and Soil Science, UH Manoa 956-7907
• Mary Tiles, Sustainability Council, UH Manoa 956-8250