Tagged: Goals - Achieve Zero Waste

In 2024, the Recycling and Refuse Services team helped divert more than six tons of hard cover books from the landfill through our hard cover book recycling program, thanks in large part to faculty and staff who reached out during office cleanouts.

These cleanouts provide an excellent opportunity to responsibly recycle large volumes of materials that accumulate over time. Whether you're moving offices, clearing out storage, or just doing a bit of spring, or (fall) cleaning, Ohio State’s Zero Waste team is here to help make your efforts more sustainable.

Are you preparing for an Independence Day holiday gathering? Here are a few tips to help you and your guests have an eco-friendly 4^th of July. 

The Ohio State University has been awarded the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most prestigious recognition, the Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Platinum Achievement Award for 2024. 

“This honor reflects Ohio State’s commitment to resource stewardship and efficiency,” said Mary Leciejewski, associate director of environmental sustainability for Facilities Operations and Development (FOD). “It reaffirms our position as a leader in higher education and healthcare sustainability practices.”

America Recycles Day (November 15) is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. It is an opportunity to promote environmental citizenship and take action to increase and improve recycling in America.

The Ohio State University achieved a landfill diversion rate of 41% this year. While we can be proud of this milestone, more participation in recycling is needed to achieve the university’s zero waste goal.

Join Ohio State in supporting America Recycles Day by recycling more and recycling better by:

Implement best sustainability practices in your campus office or laboratory and become Green Buckeye certified. Complete an online survey to let us know what you are doing to reduce your carbon footprint and minimize waste. Learn about tips to make your space more sustainable and get recognized for your commitment.

Learn more and submit the online survey.

Ohio State has set an ambitious goal: achieve zero waste by 2025, by diverting 90% of campus waste away from landfills. To help make this vision a reality, the university has expanded its composting program to include students living in residence halls and off-campus housing. Now, FOD seeks faculty and instructors’ support in spreading the word among the student community. Twenty-five, 5-minute mini-presentations will be conducted about the Buckeyes Compost program in classes this autumn semester.

Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP) has announced the recipients of its 2023-24 philanthropic awards. The awards provide funding for proposals that align with Ohio State’s sustainability goals and support the continuation of successful initiatives or the development/implementation of new programs or research projects that continue the trajectory of meeting the goals. Facilities Operations Development (FOD) Zero Waste Manager, Mary Leciejewski, earned an OSEP award of $50,000 for Administration and Planning’s Food Scrap Compost Expansion.

As highlighted by The Office of Academic Affairs, Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP) has announced the recipients of its 2023-24 philanthropic awards. The awards provide funding for proposals that align with Ohio States sustainability goals and support the continuation of successful initiatives or the development/implementation of new programs or research projects that continue the trajectory of meeting the goals. Facilities Operations Development (FOD) Zero Waste Manager, Mary Leciejewski, earned an OSEP award for Administration and Planning's Food Scrap Compost Expansion. 

The Ohio State University Columbus campus joined more than 3.4 million college students and staff across the country in the 2023 Campus Race to Zero Waste competition. During the competition, Buckeyes saved more than 1.9 million pounds of materials from being buried in a landfill. These materials will now get a second chance by being transformed into new products through recycling and composting.

The Lantern recently highlighted a collaboration between Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), the Sustainability Institute (SI) and Susan Melsop, professor of design, to prompt conversations about sustainability and campus composting. FOD and SI shared guidance and informational resources about composting and well as logistics coordination for the interactive wagon roll-out.

Read full article