The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Moore Hall recently improved recycling efforts with 12 new Tri-Stream waste bins through an Office of Sustainability pilot program in partnership with Campus Operations and Facilities (COPF). This makes Moore Hall the first upper campus building to implement recommended improvements to waste management conditions, leading the way for future recycling initiatives at UH Mānoa.
The new bins are on the first through fourth floors, matching the Tri-Stream bins already in use at the Life Sciences building.
These updated bins combine three waste streams in one container: Trash, HI-5 recycling and paper. Previously, students, staff and faculty only had two options: Trash and HI-5 Recycling.
“The more waste options you give people, the better decisions they make,” said Miles Topping, the director of energy management at the UH Office of Sustainability. “Especially with clearly labeled streams, people are able to make informed decisions about where to put their waste.”
Reducing waste, lowering costs, lessening environmental impact
The added paper section makes it easier to divert paper waste and HI-5 containers from the landfill, while reducing the total weight of campus trash, lowering hauling needs and costs, and lessening UH Mānoa’s environmental impact.
Diverted paper is sent to be picked up and repurposed for composting or recycled into new products.
“I think that everybody should have access, to be able to recycle and make a small change in their lifestyle,” said Giada Colombo, an incoming UH Mānoa graduate student and energy policy analyst at the UH Office of Sustainability who helped to install the new waste bins. “A lot of students that I’ve talked to on campus are always looking for new ways to be sustainable.”
The UH Office of Sustainability has assessed the rest of the building throughout upper campus for their existing waste management conditions and made recommendations for improvements.
“We are excited to bring this pilot program to Moore Hall, and hope to expand our efforts across campus,” said Topping.
—By Josslyn Rose
