A grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is supporting the construction of more recycling sheds on campus, the construction of mobile recycling stations in the dorms, and an awareness campaign to increase the amount of recycling on the MUM campus.

Maharishi University of Management greatly expands campus recycling programme
by Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA, USA, The Review
22 January 2010

In the past couple months Maharishi University of Management has introduced a a greatly expanded recycling program that includes 30 recycling stations in the major buildings and 15 recycling sheds spread around campus -- a project that will save 18 tons of recyclable material per month from going to the landfill.

Another goal is to increase awareness among the students, staff, and residents through a new campaign to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

"The idea is to have ongoing education and awareness-raising activities related to recycling, and to create a policy on campus to make the system as efficient as possible as time goes on," said Giovanna De la Puente, an environmental management student from Bocconi University in Italy who implemented the program along with the help of Mark Stimson, the University's sustainability coordinator.

The project is being funded by a grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The University already had a recycling program, but this new initiative is a major expansion.

The project provides recycling bins in every residence hall room and some offices. "This way students and staff will be more motivated to separate the recyclable materials because of the convenience," Ms. De la Puente said.

Individuals then take their recyclables to one of the 30 new recycling stations located in the main buildings and sort their material into the plastic containers. Then the cleaning service empties the recycling stations into the larger bins in the recycling sheds located all around campus.

"All of these efforts aim to reduce MUM's carbon footprint to help to create a better planet," Ms. De la Puente said.

"We are very impressed with what Giovanna achieved* in the new recycling initiative," said Tom Brooks, chief operating officer. "She was very self-sufficient and left MUM with a greatly improved recycling program. It's now easier for everyone to recycle on campus, and I hope everyone will take this significant step to reduce the carbon footprint of the campus.

*Scientific research has shown that Transcendental Meditation makes one more efficient, alert, and creative day by day—maintaining life in progress, providing a foundation for peaceful, harmonious, healthy living.

© Copyright 2010, Maharishi University of Management