Pinnacle Writing Club Page 1 Pinnacle Writing Club Members: • Crystal Pruneda – Interviewer o Email: [email protected]• Shannon Quirey – Compiler o Email: [email protected]• Jaspreet Sabarwal - Researcher o Email: [email protected]Going Green at University of South Florida March 2011 Are the students stepping up? Is the community participating? What are the costs & benefits? ENC3250 Professional Writing Professor F. Tobienne
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Pinnacle Writing Club Page 1
Pinnacle Writing Club Members: • Crystal Pruneda – Interviewer
magazines/catalogs, newspaper (and inserts), paperboard (e.g. cereal boxes, and soda boxes), phone
books, and junk mail (Tampagov.net).
Figure 4. City of Tampa’s distributive information for residents (Tampagov.net)
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Figure 5. City of Tampa’s distributive information for residents (Tampagov.net)
However, there is some controversy regarding recycling in the Tampa community. It costs the
city more for curbside recycling than it cost to just remove unrecyclable trash. According to documents
obtained by 10 News, Tampa's recycling program cost $3 million in 2006, $3.3 million in 2009, and in
2010the program cost nearly $3.4 million. However, the city of Tampa reminds those opposed to
spending more on recycling that the recycling program is not intended to turn a profit, that it is instead a
public service for residents (like city transportation, or city parks) and an attempt to help the
environment. Also, under the Florida Statutes, all counties in the state are required to participate in
some sort of recycling program. More costs of going green will be discussed later.
The Tampa Bay area is also working to include more multifamily homes in their recycling
endeavors to increase cost effectiveness, for both the city and the property managers. In the grant for the
“Urban Recycling Plan for Multi-Family Property Managers” to fund this endeavor it states that the city
of Tampa only serves about 15% of the multifamily buildings in the area (Dep.state.fl.us). By
increasing the number of buildings served recycling trucks can collect more items by traveling less
distance and building management has to pay less for trash removal since recyclables will be disposed of
separately.
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Hillsborough County
Like the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County also has a recycling program
throughout the unincorporated part of Hillsborough County. They also provide curbside
and multi-family recycling, yard waste recycling, office paper and commercial recycling
programs. According to Elizabeth Brown, “they service over 240,000 homes and the most
recycled items are paper and paper products which include cardboard.” They provide
recycling service to all residents one time per week and the costs of recycling is included
in their annual assessment.
Ms. Brown also defends the position of the cost effectiveness by stating, “That
although the cost may seem excessive if there is market for the materials and participation
is high then there is no actual cost for the program.”
In addition, to curb-side recycling she wants to make residents aware that curb-side
recycling is not the only way of creating a more sustainable world. “The use of Waste-to-
energy facilities saves landfills space, water conservation is an area we need to work on
especially in Florida, and carefully monitoring emissions all contribute toward a more
sustainable environment.”
In Hillsborough County they are always trying to promote participation for
recycling by educational programs and recycling programs. “Most people do not see some
of the advantages of recycling because they are less obvious such as: creating jobs and
reducing disposal costs for organizations.” Hillsborough County continues to meet and
exceed the state mandated requirements.
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Green Practices at other Universities
Considering USF’s green efforts by
themselves only gives a partial idea of what
could be done in the endeavor to go green.
Looking into green practices at other
universities is an essential part of ensuring USF
is doing all they can.
California State University San Marcos
is an adequate university to compare to and
learn from. CSUSM has won first place in
RecycleMania for the past six years, the friendly
inter-college recycling competition in which
USF has only ranked 25th. CSU San Marcos
strongly and consistently encourages its students
to recycle both at school and at home.
The CSUSM website features a carbon
footprint calculator that allows you to estimate
the amount of carbon emissions you’ve used in
the past year, how this compares to others, what
you can do to change it and why changing is
beneficial. CSUSM defines a carbon footprint
as a measure of the impact our activities have on
the environment, and in particular climate
change, it relates to the amount of greenhouse
gases produced in our day-to-day lives through
burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating,
transportation, and buying food and goods
(csusm.edu/sustainability).
Some of the tips on how to reduce your carbon
footprint include walking or using public
transportation more often, eating organic and/or
locally grown produce, buying products with
less packaging, using energy efficient
appliances and devices, and of course, recycling
as much as possible. Having students become
more aware that their impact has a lasting effect
on the environment is a great step in getting
them involved in sustainability efforts on
campus. USF could learn from this in order to
get more people involved in going green.
CSUSM also strongly emphasizes water
conservation. Since the University is in an arid
climate and receives little rainfall throughout the
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year, this effort has a real impact on the student’s lives. Water is probably a resource USF
students aren’t as aware of in conservation efforts because of the climate in Florida.
California State University also prides itself on a staff that is dedicated to the future of going
green. The assistant director of Energy and Engineering Services at CSUSM, Floyd Dudley II, was
recently awarded the international honor of Young Energy Professional of the Year by the Association
of Energy Engineers for his role in reducing the University's energy consumption (csusm.edu/news).
Dudley led many projects to improve sustainability on campus. His Energy Saving Company (ESCO)
project decreased energy consumption used on campus, reduced annual energy costs, and upgraded
existing infrastructure, which helps for future campus growth. All these initiatives saved CSUSM more
than $1 million in utility costs in one year.
Some aspects that CSUSM and USFSP are equivalent in are LEED (Leadership in
Environmental and Energy Design) green building certifications for campus buildings, both schools plan
new additions to their campuses with LEED’s guidelines. Also both schools encourage their students to
recycle and join in green efforts at school or at home, but obviously California State University’s efforts
have been more effective.
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Actual Cost/Effect of Going Green
Recycling at any location takes time, effort, and funds to setup. It is no shock that recycling costs is
arguable on both sides. Many believe that recycling costs are actually much higher than placing all the items in
the processable waste, while other argue that the benefits outweigh the financial costs of running such a
program. In the end what needs to be determined when recycling are environmental, economic, and social
factors.
The environmental benefits of recycling for most people outweigh any actual costs of recycling. The fact
that removing and reusing materials eliminates use of space in a landfill or can produce renewable energy is a
very important environmental factor. In a landfill space is used up and is undeterminable how much the value of
that space is costing, not to mention who will one day have to build a home on top of the garbage. So it is
important to be able to dispose of garbage in alternative ways that are renewable sources of energy that are not
actually placed within the ground. After space in a landfill is used it has to be continually monitored and tested
for any hazardous that can effect living standards.
As an economic factor there are many other options that can be used to determine how ones items are
recycled. There are options as using a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) or Waste-To-Energy Facility. Both
of the waste flow streams have the ability to bring in sources of revenue or lower actual operating costs in a
facility such as University of South Florida. If USF could operate and manage a MRF or WTE facility they
would have the ability to create jobs, and bring in sources of revenue. Alternatively they could reduce the
amount of waste that is actually placed in the landfill. Not only can waste be reused it can be turned into actual
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electricity for use in a building. Not only can it be used to power up a building inter-connections can be
accomplished with adjoining properties to also power up other facilities. So it is not unachievable to be able to
power up all of USF if the operated a Waste to Energy Facility.
Most importantly is the social aspect of recycling. Recycling makes humans feel good, as sense of
accomplishments that there small efforts can make the future a better place for living. Not to mention that small
changes such as changing out light bulbs or curbside recycling are often an actual dollar costs savings to the
recycler. In this area is where USF can make the biggest strides in promoting recycling to students, faculty, and
staff. The more accessible it is the more likely they will use the services.
Even though, actual costs of recycling is difficult to determine because many counties have the rate built
into their annuals fees; the fact of the matter is that natural resources, pollutants, emissions, and energy savings
are benefits to humans whether now or in the future. Recycling provides a much greater benefit than the actual
costs of running a program.
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Conclusion
University of South Florida has come a long way in becoming “Green” within the community. They
have improved and implemented initiatives such as recycling centers being placed strategically across campus,
allowing recycling facilities to be used by all residents of Hillsborough County (not just USF students), using
programs to improve transportation alternatives, and many other educational and practical solutions. USF has
received many recognition and awards for all they have accomplished. However, the awards and recognition is
not the end of the road, it is just a beginning. It is the beginning to continuing efforts and endeavors to improve
and influence the surrounding communities to follow in the same steps.
With USF serving over 47,000 students there is the ability expand and provide educational information
on “going green” that can make a real impact on the environment. USF can continue to improve and educate on
renewable resources and alternatives to wasteflow disposal and become a role-model to other surrounding
Universities throughout the State of Florida and others in the nation. The efforts in working with other entities,
municipalities, and businesses only increase the awareness to others around the area, and can promote others to
do the same. In addition, USF can also continue to improve their awareness and continue to implement projects
or processes such as Center of Urban Transportation, Building and Construction processes, Sustainable
Electrical Energy Delivery Systems, and Solar Plant energy sources.
Despite all the ongoing efforts USF will continue to improve the awareness, education, and participation
throughout the campus and community. Their sustainability plans will improve and lessen the impact on the
environment by continuing to address the environmental, social, and economic issues, which in turn will
educate and promote participation in recycling efforts.
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Works Cited
Amrhein, Saundra. "Water Is Focus of Global Sustainability Master's Program - University of South Florida." Under Construction. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2772&z=123>. Chachere, Vickie. "Florida Institute of Oceanography Receives $10M - University of South Florida." Under Construction. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2459&z=123>. Chachere, Vickie. ""Green" Patel Center Opens at USF - University of South Florida." Under Construction. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=3086&z=127>. "CSUSM: CSUSM Employee Honored for Leadership in Sustainability Projects." CSUSM:
California State University San Marcos. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://www.csusm.edu/news/topstories/current/tsSustainability.html>.
"CSUSM: RecycleMania 2010 Is Here!" CSUSM: California State University San Marcos. Web.
Mar. 2011 <http://www.csusm.edu/communications/topstory/tsRecycleMania2010.html>.
Greenhouse Gas Subcommittee. "Greenhouse Gas Inventory USF." Web. Mar. 2011. <http://www.acad.usf.edu/Office/Strategic-Initiatives/docs/USF-Greenhouse-Gas- Inventory.pdf>. "Green USFSP." University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://www.stpete.usf.edu/green/index.htm>. Modigell, Krystal. "New Program Creates Communication for Carpoolers." The Oracle. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://www.usforacle.com/news/new-program-creates-communication-for- carpoolers-1.2376920>. "News - USF St. Petersburg." Usfsp.org. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://www.usfsp.org/inews/view.asp?ID=599>. "Purdue University Sustainability." Purdue University. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability/pages/sustainability.html>. S.E.A.S. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://seasusf.com/index.html>. Temple, Liisa. "Solar Power Plant Coming to USF - University of South Florida." Under Construction. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=3044&z=121>. "USF Sustainability Initiatives Earn Coveted “Gold’ Rating." Maddux Tampa Bay News Wire. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://madduxpress.com/2011/02/03/usf-sustainability-initiatives-earn- coveted-“gold’-rating-18922>. "University of South Florida - Office of Sustainability." University of South Florida - A Metropolitan Research I University, with 4 Campuses Located in Central Florida. Web.
Mar. 2011. <http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/Initiatives/gbuilding.html>.
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Annotated Bibliography http://www.stpete.usf.edu/green/index.htm This website links to the USFSP Green Group, which is an organization based on St Pete campus that is dedicated to environmentally friendly practices at USF. It functions as a great resource for this white paper on going green because it shows what people are already doing on campus to help in this transition. This group gives information on recycling programs at USFSP, green cleaning, alternative transportation, and even alternative energy projects. http://madduxpress.com/2011/02/03/usf-sustainability-initiatives-earn-coveted-%E2%80%9Cgold%E2%80%99-rating-18922 This article “USF Sustainability Initiatives Earn Coveted ‘Gold’ Rating” details some of the projects USF has on campus in an effort to achieve sustainability. The article also compares USF to other schools that work with the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System. They mention that “USF ranked 25th out of 199 universities in the United States in RecycleMania” (a competition to encourage recycling on college campuses). The article also lists organizations and green initiatives that will be mentioned in the white paper. http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=3044&z=121 This article discusses the plan to build a Solar Power Plant on USF campus. This is a very useful and informative article when writing the white paper because it shows large scale initiatives from USF. More than just starting a recycling project, this solar power plant would greatly impact the energy actually used on campus. This also shows how USF is using natural and free Florida resources to better the environment. http://wasteage.com/Recycling_And_Processing/ This website has been helpful when writing the white paper because it details what going green initiatives are occurring on a larger scale. Many articles discuss large companies, states, and the nation as a whole and the issues, initiatives, programs, and real life costs involved with going green. http://www.acad.usf.edu/Office/Strategic-Initiatives/docs/USF-Greenhouse-Gas-Inventory.pdf This article has proved helpful when writing the white paper because it shows real effects USF has on the environment through data regarding greenhouse gas. There are also many graphs, charts, and statistics regarding actual energy use by USF that will be useful in the white paper. http://www.csusm.edu/rms/safety_programs/sustainability.html This website is for California State University San Marcos. This college was the grand champion for cumulative recycling rate. By comparing their practices to those at USFSP we can make recommendations in the white paper on how to improve and encourage more recycling.