Students using Haggard Hall bathrooms can now compost paper towels. The new compost bins are a part of a six-month pilot program to reduce Western’s solid waste.
Haggard Hall ranks first on Western’s most frequently used bathrooms list, winning it the compost bin selection. The building’s restrooms average more than 1,000 uses per day, said Kathryn Freeman, Green Energy Grant program coordinator. The pilot project was awarded a grant for $1,400.
The Green Energy Fee program, which all full-time Western students pay for as part of their fees and tuition, is funding the project. The fee charges students 70 cents per credit, up to $7 per quarter.
Before this project, Western was not composting any paper towels, contributing a significant amount of waste to landfills, according to a grant proposal.
An audit of Arntzen Hall and Environmental Studies restroom waste showed 73 percent of the total weight in trash cans were compostable.
Along with reaping environmental benefits, project staff will examine how the project might cut down costs for waste disposal.
Western pays for each time a Dumpster is emptied, regardless of how full or empty it is, Freeman said.
“Paper towels are very light and have a large volume,” Freeman said. “We have to tip the Dumpsters more frequently, even though there’s not much waste.”
Project staff will track changes in the amount of bags being used, the levels of garbage waste, the amount of paper towels being used and the weight of paper towels being sent for composting to see if there is significant change, Freeman said.
The compostable bags cost $90 for a roll of 100, according to the grant proposal. Freeman said the bags have a shelf life of two to four months depending on how they are stored, Freeman said.
The project is estimated to cost $82.80 more per month than current trash services in Haggard Hall, according to the grant proposal from the more expensive bags. The project’s aim is to increase student knowledge and awareness of what can be composted, according to the grant proposal.
“We’re hoping that just by being more aware that paper towels are a resource that people will use less of them,” Freeman said.
Western would be able to save an estimated $8,700 per year if paper towel use decreased 29 percent, according to the proposal.
Western freshman Aisha Leapley likes the project and how it can help reduce waste. Leapley said she tries to help by recycling when it isn’t out of the way.
“I think it’s a really good idea,” Leapley said. “I think one of the main issues with going to the bathroom is the overuses of paper. I think if we can reuse it, it’s best.”
A 29 percent decrease in paper towel use would save Western $8,700 per year
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