Program Overview
The Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) is responsible for assisting the University of Kansas and campus living groups with
developing and implementing integrated waste reduction efforts and environmental awareness and improvement programs. As a service department,
ESP and KU Recycling strive to make a positive impact on the campus community through our service performance and our efforts to encourage
waste reduction and recycling.
ESP currently employs 14 students that serve as Recycling Technicians for KU Recycling, 1 full-time program manager, and 3 full-time University Support Staff. Recycling Technicians currently collect office paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, steel cans, #1 PETE plastic bottles, #2 plastic bottles, and cardboard from educational and administrative buildings,
campus residential facilities. Technicians also conduct special collections for surplus property including furniture, office equipment and electronic waste. All materials are
transported to a central accumulation site on west campus, sorted and baled. Baled and loose recyclables are loaded on a trailer that, under our current contract, is reset as needed by Batliner Paper Stock Company of Kansas City. Surplus items are either recycled or put in storage for distribution to University departments and non-profit organizations. To find out more about Surplus Recycling visit our webpage.
ESP and KU Recycling work closely with the Student Environmental Advisory Board, Environs, EARTH and other campus groups to satisfy
students' concerns about campus recycling and conservation issues, and have made great strides in achieving those goals.
History
1990 Environmental Ombudsman's Office created. This office addressed environmental issues on campus through student research
and encouraged the implementation of environmentally friendly practices. Some of their accomplishments included the installation of low flow
showerheads at residence halls, changing incandescent light bulbs to energy saving fluorescent bulbs, and encouraging the use of safer cleaning
products. The Ombudsman's Ofice also completed a campus wide waste audit which lead to the coordination of recycling efforts.
1996 Office of Resource Conservation and Recycling (RCR) created under the Department of Environmental Health and Safety
(EHS). KU Recycling is developed through assistance from the Environmental Stewardship Fund.
2002 RCR becomes Department of Environmental Stewardship (DES), moves from EHS to stand alone department under the office
of the Provost.
2003 DES moves to Facility Operations, and becomes Environmental Stewardship Program.
Funding
ESP has been fortunate enough to receive funding from Student Senate and the University Administration. Through student referendums, a $1.00
student fee was assessed in 1997 and increased to $2.00 in 2002, with another $1.00 added in 2004. In 2007, $0.75 was added to student fees and another increase of $0.20 was added in 2008. This allows ESP to fill numerous part-time
student staff positions, one full time University Support Staff position and provides for some operating costs. Administrative funds allow for three additional full-time staff and other general operating
expenses.
