UCB Libraries

CU Recycling accepts both CDs and CD hard plastic cases from campus departments for recycling. They mail them away to a company called Greendisk in Georgia, which grinds up the materials for recycling. You can put your items into a campus mailing envelope (or small sealed box) and send them to CU Recycling, 209 UCB.

 

For more information, visit CU Recycling / Environmental Center.

Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFLs) save energy but contain mercury and need to be disposed of properly.

 

CFLs generated at home need to be taken to the local county household hazardous waste collection site, or alternatively there are a few stores now that manage collection sites - these can be found at recycleabulb.com 

 

CFLs generated on campus: The recycling of fluorescent bulbs and CFLs is a joint effort by Facilities Management (FacMan) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). FacMan collects all of the fluorescent bulbs/CFLs they routinely replace, and also manages the main recycling effort on campus for fluorescent bulbs. 

 

CFLs can present a problem for collection and recycling because many times it is the end user that is replacing the bulb, which prevents the immediate transportation to the collection facility.

 

EH&S collects the bulbs generated in the laboratories from equipment and such, and will also collect the CFLs from offices that contact us at 2-7845. Please store the bulbs in their original packaging or other sturdy packaging to prevent breakage. Also please note that EH&S must only collect CFLs generated as a result of University business. 

 

EH&S covers this topic in their hazardous waste generators' guide, page 11: http://www.colorado.edu/ehs/PDF/HWGenGuide.pdf

CU Recycling bins are strategically placed throughout the University Libraries. Please use them for their designated purposes.

 

From July 1999 to June 2000, Norlin Library recycled:

• 88,037 pounds paper
• 4,545 pounds commingled containers

By recycling, Norlin Library helped save:

• 748 40-foot fir trees
• 2,641 pounds of air pollutants
• 180,563 kilowatt hours of electricity
• 138.9 cubic yards of landfill space
• 883.6 gallons of gasoline
• 308,128 gallons of water

October 7, 2010

 

Facilities Management Recognizes John Culshaw, David Nicoll, and Donna Maes for Reducing Building Energy Usage

 

BUFFS GET REWARDED FOR TAKING BUILDING ENERGY REDUCTIONS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

 

The Buff Energy Star program is redefining what it means for building proctors to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions in their own buildings.

 

As part of ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, the University of Colorado at Boulder is rewarding employees $1,000 each for reducing building energy usage by at least 5 percent over the previous fiscal year.

 

The Buff Energy Star program helps employees track how much energy they are saving, gives them an end goal and provides a teaching example for students, faculty and staff. Both the campus and the individual buildings are able to benefit from seeing how even the smallest efforts combine to make a sizeable decrease.

 

"Energy conservation is good for the environment and the university's bottom line," Tabrizi said. "Simple strategies such as turning off unnecessary lights or equipment help us create a conservation-minded campus and help us curb costs over time."

 

The three buildings conserved 645,000 kWh, reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 1 million pounds, and saved the university nearly $65,000, said Tabrizi.

 

This year, building proctors John Culshaw, David Nicoll, and Donna Maes took this energy challenge to heart and reduced Norlin, Hellems, and Math buildings' electricity use by a combined total of 11.6 percent. They will each receive a one-time $1,000 cash bonus from CU-Boulder Vice Chancellor for Administration Frank Bruno.

 

The combined conservation effort by all Buff Energy Star program participants since 2004 has resulted in total energy savings of more than 2.9 million kilowatt hours and a cost savings of over $300,000. Total reduction of carbon dioxide emissions amount to more than 4.5 million pounds, Tabrizi said.

 

Leading Buff Energy Star buildings reported energy savings ranging from 6 percent to more than 20 percent. Specific actions that resulted in savings included turning off lights when not in use, enabling power-management features on computers and other office equipment, relying more on daylight, reporting energy waste to the campus conservation hotline and buildings energy audits.

Each year, campus administrators select Buff Energy Star winners based on how well participants adhere to program criteria, Tabrizi said.

 

To be considered for Buff Energy Star status, building proctors must show a 5 percent energy reduction over the prior year, complete an energy audit, take action based on the audit, post energy and water conservation posters and other educational materials throughout the building, and take an active role in communication and encouraging resource conservation.

 

The 2010-11 Buff Energy Star cycle runs from July 2010 to June 2011. All nominations should be forwarded to Moe Tabrizi via campus mail at UCB 453 or via e-mail at Moe.Tabrizi@colorado.edu.

To learn more about energy conservation on the CU-Boulder campus and to nominate a building for Buff Energy Star status visit http://www.colorado.edu/conservation. To report campus energy waste, call (303) 735-6202 or e-mail energyconservationhotline@fm.colorado.edu.

 

Contact: Moe Tabrizi, 303-432-1425
Megan Rose, 303-492-8687