The Ohio State University

Turfgrass program coordinator, Matt Williams (left, with student Ryan Morrison) has started a recycling initiative at the OTF Research & Education Facility this week.

Typically, the trash generated at the facility has been collected in a dumpster and hauled away by the physical facilities dept. each week. This weekly hauling service also carries a $ cost to the turf facility.  By organising the trash and keeping back cardboard, paper, plastic, aerosol cans, and aluminum, the reduction in dumpster space can be reduced by 75%. This equates to the dumpster only being hauled away once per month and also reduces costs. The recycled material is hauled away for free.  Matt also disposes of clippings on-site, so no clipping waste is hauled to the Columbus landfill.

This is the first step in making the turfgrass facility "greener" and for all of the turf group to look at ways to reduce their carbon footprint.  Future initiatives may include hybrid mowers, judicious use of utility vehicles, and energy-saving programs.