Converting Campus Paper Towel Dispensers into Efficient Electric Hand Dryers Caden Ward, Nathan Wells, Joe Bach, Sunny Bloxham, Raul Anaya Project Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD Paper waste accounts for roughly 35% of US municipal Solid waste, driven in part by single-use non- recyclable products like paper towels. To address this, a student-led project replaced paper towel dispensers with electric hand dryers in the Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC). With funding from the SGF, totaling $14,600, the project replaced multiple units on the first floor of the SURC with energy-efficient Dyson Airblade V units. Since their installation, the SURC is on track to prevent approximately 7,527 pounds of paper waste from entering landfills each year – equivalent to saving 64 trees and more than 75,000 gallons of water from being harvested. Financially, in just the SURC alone, this project will save an estimated $9,000 on paper towel costs and extra expenses. Expanding on the success of the earlier effort, the project is now progressing toward implementation in Dean Hall. Coordination with facilities management, custodial staff, building leadership, and student stakeholders is underway, with installation anticipated for this summer, pending equipment procurement. While Dean Hall is smaller than the SURC, by replacing its paper towel dispensers, it is projected to save at least 17 trees, 20,000 gallons of water, and prevent 1,200 pounds of paper waste each year, totaling a combined savings of about $2600 annually. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Paper Towels, Electric Hand Dryers SOURCE Form ID: 253 Sustainable waste management is a critical component of environmental sustainability at both local and global scales. At Central Washington University, waste diversion—reducing the amount of material sent to landfills through recycling, composting, and reuse—was identified as a major institutional priority in its climate action plan. The university implemented initiatives such as standardized waste stations, composting programs, and educational outreach to improve diversion rates and minimize environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. Despite these efforts, many students lack awareness and knowledge of proper waste sorting practices. This project aimed to address this gap by increasing educational signage in the Library, a high-traffic area, to promote informed disposal decisions. This project expanded on a previously funded SGF project to place signage in the SURC. Signage was designed in alignment with existing signage in order to maintain consistency and clarity by collaborating with both library staff and the sustainability office on campus and funding was secured through the Student Green Fund. The signs will be strategically installed to maximize visibility and student engagement. By improving access to clear, consistent information, this project supports CWU’s waste diversion goals of diverting 25% of campus waste away from landfills by 2030. Completing this goal will by its nature contribute to increased participation in recycling and composting programs. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords : Sustainable, Waste, Management, Signage SOURCE Form ID: 205 Improving Educational Signage for Sustainable Waste Practices Nate Whitehall, Joanna Hunt, Jordan Spradlin Project Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD
125
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator