“This is our way to recognize, thank, and make everyone aware of the hard work that is taking place throughout the state,” said William W. Culler, director of DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. “South Carolina’s recycling programs compare favorably to those in any state, and it’s because of the commitment and dedication of local governments, staff, and, of course, all of those who recycle.”

USC Aiken received the award in recognition of their outstanding college or university waste reduction and/or recycling program (e.g., recycling rate; participation rate; amount of material recycled; amount of waste reduced, prevented, or composted; materials collected; buy recycled efforts; and customers served), innovative approaches, leadership, and education efforts.

Within the past several years, USC Aiken has taken many strides to improve and increase its recycling efforts. In 1999, the campus received a grant from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to purchase two 30-yard collection containers and several smaller office containers to start a recycling program at USC Aiken. After receiving the grant, the campus partnered with the Aiken County Department of Public Works recycling program. Since then, additional items have been added to the recycling program such as aluminum cans, plastics, and packaging materials. The operations department purchased additional containers for campus, and the housekeeping office restructured how the recycling system works.

In April 2003, Karin Willoughby, a professor of geology at USC Aiken, and Christine Norris, environmental health and safety manager at USC Aiken, received a grant for $2,316 from S.C. Sustainable Universities Initiative (SUI) to help students become more involved in campus recycling efforts.

The grant, “USC Aiken Joint Operations and Academics Project,” will develop two modules for use in the Department of Biology and Geology Environmental Earth Science class. These modules will link academics with campus operations by having students participate in solving campus environmental problems by volunteering to work with the Department of Operations and by doing team research for awareness projects that will lead to public presentation and discussions on environmental issues. Along with this grant, USC Aiken hired a student recycling coordinator, Nick Kean.

During November, USC Aiken had a “Reuse A Shoe” Project in support of America Recycles Day. The campus community collected old athletic shoes that were ground up and made into playing surfaces such as basketball courts, volleyball courts, and tennis courts. All shoes were donated to the Greenville County Division of Solid Waste and Nike. In addition to the shoe collection, geology students made presentations and posters on recycling issues available for faculty, staff, and students to view and ask questions.

“The most valuable contributing factor to the success of the program has been the participation and support of the USC Aiken campus community,” Norris said. “I was proud to accept the award and very pleased that the campus community was recognized for its hard work and dedication to the recycling program.”

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