​Waste, Composting and Recycling

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has long worked toward waste reduction and diversion. The Recycling Work Unit is responsible for all university waste disposals, with the exception of items classified as hazardous waste. Our recycling policy is based on sound environmental practices that meet or exceed all national, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances as they relate to resource recovery. Our goal is to conserve our natural resources by reducing consumption of materials, reusing materials whenever possible, recycling materials using current technology and practicing wise procurement policies, including the purchase of recycled materials. Since sustainability is a very important part of our university's mission, our recycling program is more comprehensive than most universities. We have our own Waste Education Center where materials are separated into individual recycling streams. Visit Facility Services Recycling for more information on our recycling processes. 

 

Compost Bins 

Compost bins are located throughout campus academic buildings to reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill. Organic materials are collected and processed naturally to become a useful soil amendment.
 
Look for this icon  on building floor plans for compost receptacle locations.
 
Residential Living also runs a composting program where residents individually collect compostable food waste material in their rooms and deposit it in a centralized composting bin conveniently located within each residence hall. Residential Living Building Services delivers the collected compostable material to the UW-Stevens Point Waste Education Center, where it is then composted by Waste Education Center staff and students. The final product is a nutrient-rich soil, which is available for use by campus.  
 
 

Waste Education Center 

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is home to a state-of-the-art facility that provides students with landfill, wastewater treatment, recycling, composting and hazardous waste management training. The building includes a small-scale wastewater treatment plant. A portion of the building also functions as the campus materials recycling facility and handles cans, bottles, plastic and cardboard.

The building air handler heat recovery systems recycle waste exhaust heat to minimize the amount of new energy required for conditioning of the corresponding fresh replacement air. Throughout construction, crews recycled an impressive 96.4 percent of construction waste. The extraordinary construction was listed in The Daily Reporters- Top Projects of 2011.