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Marist College's 5th Biannual Dumpster Dive!

The results are in from Marist's fifth biannual solid waste stream assessment which was conducted October 15, 2008. Components of the Marist College solid waste stream were examined for the amounts and types of waste being disposed of to see whether voluntary recycling on campus is actually working.

Random samples of solid waste (i.e. garbage bags) were sampled from Sheahan, Leo, Midrise, Fulton, Foy and Upper West Cedar residence areas, the James Cannavino Library and the Student Center. Waste from a total of 9 bags fulfilled our quality control criteria and provided useable data. The total mass of waste sorted into various categories was 40.5 kg. Recyclable paper, glass, plastic, metal and corrugated cardboard together made up roughly 26%

Compostable organic (i.e., food waste) and non-recyclable food and other product packaging continue to be major waste fractions. Starting in fall '07 we began measuring the mass of non-hazardous liquids - unconsumed water, soda, and other beverages in the waste. Nearly 7% by weight of waste were these wasted beverages. We encourage students to pour unconsumed beverages down the sink, or even outside on the ground, before recycling beverage containers.

Figure 1. Marist College solid waste categorization by mass as determined in five different samplings (F '06 = 14 bags totaling 68 kg, S '07 = 18 bags totaling 67 kg, F '07 = 9 bags totaling 36.5 kg, S '08 = 13 bags totaling 69.5 kg), and F '08 = 9 bags totaling 40.5 kg.)