UMass Amherst Waste Sorting Guide

sort game

& MZYH

ALSO INSIDE

sorting skillz self diagnosis ● waste not, warm not filmz ● waste mapz ● waste stream breakdownz: food waste, recycling, landfill ● FAQz ● campus waste scavenger huntz ● waste & susty peepz

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Welcome

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TO UMASS

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at UMass Amherst we explore, take responsibility for, and work to reduce the impacts of our actions

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While you are at UMass Amherst you are part of a community motivated to live more sustainably. What does that mean? It means we collectively and individually work to understand the impacts of our actions. We take responsibility for those actions and we work to reduce our impacts by making informed decisions in our daily lives. Paying attention to the waste we create is one such action.

Sustainability is a community effort and core value at UMass that crosses units and disciplines and is woven throughout our academic and social spheres. Sustainability is a complex concept which seeks balance between environmental health, social equity, and economic vitality. It is often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to do so. 

Take advantage of the resources within to learn about, practice, and incorporate sustainable waste practices into your daily rhythms on campus. Our actions as individuals and as a community have impacts beyond us. It is our responsibility to minimize these impacts through our actions by living sustainably every day. Be a part of this community effort - be your best UMass Amherst.

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sustainability is a community effort and core value of UMass Amherst

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learn about, practice, and incorporate sustainable waste practices through this guide... be your best UMass Amherst

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Enjoy!

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04

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What's

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INSIDE

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04. waste not, warm not
a short film about why waste matters

06. umass waste mapz
explore the destinations and impacts of your waste

8. waste stream breakdownz
8. food waste
10. recycle
12. landfill
14. special streamz
14. e-waste
15. textiles


16. MZYH waste sort game
crush the competition in this interactive waste sort game


18. we're going on an adventure...
UMass waste GooseChase scavenger huntz

20. FAQz
your burning waste sorting questions answered here

22. meet the peepz
the faces of sustainability at UMass Amherst

23. resourcez
need more? here's where its at

24. creditz
all the fine humans that helped make this guide and MZYH game happen

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FEATURE

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You

are

POWERFUL

Created by Laurie Simmons, UMass Residential Life Operations - Facilities & Campus Services

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

WASTE NOT, WARM NOT:
A SHORT FILM

Created by Laurie Simmons, UMass Residential Life Operations - Facilities & Campus Services

In this short film, creator and Sustainability Coordinator for UMass ResLife, Laurie Simmons, explores the link between waste and climate change and offers viewers an optimistic call to action.

Transcript:
You are powerful.
We all know that this (smokestacks),
this (traffic),
and even this (lightbulb), contribute to climate change.
But what about this (apple core),
this (plastic bottles),
or this (UMass trash)?
In other words, this (landfills).
Every year, U.S. landfills emit huge amounts of methane and carbon dioxide.
Equivalent of powering every home in Massachusetts for over 10 years.
At UMass, we send enough trash to the landfill each year to fill almost half of a southwest tower.
But is it really all trash?
If we diverted just 25% more materials to recycling UMass would reduce its GHG emissions by 2,700 Megatonnes CO2e.
Thats enough to power 500 homes for a whole year.
So while sometimes all this (smokestacks) can leave you feeling powerless...
The good news is...
You personally have a lot more control over
this (UMass trash).
You are powerful.
Here's how:
1. Waste less
Avoid to-go and other single-use items as much as possible.
2. Waste smart
Learn the rules and carefully sort the waste items into appropriate streams
3. Waste warrior
Be a role model for those around you and advocate for change wherever you can: where you live, work, learn, or play.
Use your power.
Tell your friends...
Waste equals warming.
Waste not, warm not.
For more information about waste and sustainability at UMass visit: UMass.edu/sustainability
So what are you going to do? ◾

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Mapping Waste

IMPACTZ

Mapping Waste

IMPACTZ

EVER WONDER WHERE YOUR WASTE GOES AFTER IT LEAVES UMASS? Check out this handy map that explores the journey that your discarded wastes go on after leaving our campus. From the waste bin in your residence hall all the way to its eventual destination and potential impacts. Zoom into each section to have a closer look!

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