This year’s RazorBash event took place from 11:00-2:00 at the Arkansas Union Plaza on Thursday, August 28, 2014. Most students attended RazorBash to browse campus resources and make connections with student groups. The event offered music, food, and fun for all community members. As part of our commitment to become zero waste by 2021, the Office for Sustainability (OFS) worked with Student Affairs and the Arkansas Union to attempt Zero Waste during the annual event. The Environmental Protection Agency defines Zero Waste as a diversion rate of 90% or greater. With over 200 organizations represented, RazorBash was the main event to kick off the new school year. As a result, nearly one ton of waste was diverted from the landfill. A diversion rate is the total amount of diverted recyclables (1,970 lbs.) divided by the total amount of recyclables and trash. Through this event we were able to divert 76% of all waste.
The information provided by the waste audit conducted by staff members of the student union suggests that if we worked closer with vendors to ensure they brought more sustainable marketing collateral and recycled all of the aluminum and plastic drinks we could reach the 90% diversion rate next August. With the current estimated measurements, we would only need to divert 359 lbs. of waste to ensure reaching this goal. Other ways in which we can achieve our goal are increasing composting of food waste, reducing marketing collateral, and ensuring that all recyclable materials make it to the correct receptacle.
The numbers provided below are merely estimates; no materials were weighed.
The OFS was established in 2007 after Chancellor Gearhart signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. In 2009 the Office for Sustainability created the University of Arkansas Climate Action Plan, which outlines the steps necessary to become carbon neutral by 2040. If you are interested in learning more about the progress of recycling at events around campus please email khdeross@email.uark.edu