A wall of printers and televisions that would rival the stockroom of Best Buy sits beside the door. Along the back wall are glass vases, wine glasses, and tea sets. Office supplies, at least three dozen Swiffer sweepers and brooms, several hundred plastic hangers, stacks of textbooks and paperbacks, and boxes upon boxes of Ethernet cords, cell phone chargers, and surge protectors crowd the center of the room. Is this an incredibly disorganized Target or Wal-Mart, or a K-mart post bankruptcy?
No, this is the Jumbo Drop warehouse on Boston Avenue, where students have been working to sort through everything left behind by their comrades. At least three times a day, someone makes a comment that sounds like, "Jeeeeesh, how can people leave their (insert expensive piece of technology) behind?" or "Won't this person need this stuff next year?" Anyone can be snide and quip that Tufts students get way too much easy money from their parents, and that's why they are able to abandon so many expensive or still-useful things every year, but most Tufts students would retort that the majority of their friends are looking at very sparse bank accounts most of the year. So what's the real reason students leave so many valuable things behind? Many of my West Coast and Midwestern friends say that they simply can't carry their things on the plane with them to take them home, and they either don't want to do the work or pay the money to store their stuff. If one wanted to be positive about it, it could be claimed that Tufts students feel good about leaving their things behind because they know that they will be donated to a good cause. While I rather like that explanation, as a JumboDrop worker I find it hard to believe in all cases. At least half of what we collected this year did not come from the JumboDrop boxes, but from the dorms and apartments that we cleaned out. Most of these objects were not necessarily left with the intention of donation, and were fair game for the janitors to throw away if they cleaned the space before JumboDrop got there. This actually happened this year - JumboDrop was too late to go through one of the Sophia Gordon towers before it was cleaned. How much was wasted because of that?
It is impossible to narrow down the reason why Tufts students routinely leave behind elaborate printers, enormous televisions, and comfortable lounge chairs every year to a single explanation. Likely, it's a combination of several of the factors mentioned above. However, we can find a way to reduce the amount left behind. Yes, JumboDrop is a great program and certainly helps reduce the waste of reusable things every year, but a lot of what we collect is damaged in the process and then becomes unusable, and there's no reason that what happened to one of the Sophia Gordon towers this year won't happen again. You can become an even more responsible recycler by finding other ways to reuse things before they go to the JumboDrop box. Think about what you'll need next year. Are you sure that you can't fit those binders into your suitcase? Total up how much you'd spend replacing all of your school supplies in the fall, then compare it with the cost to store them. You will certainly need those things next year. Yes, yes, it's always thrilling to have new, crisp office supplies every school year (c'mon, we're all academic nerds here...) but maybe it's time to leave the exciting September trips to Wal-Mart to buy new folders covered with cute puppies and doe-eyed Barbies in elementary school. You'll save money, and you'll be really happy that you did when you're dying for a pizza next weekend. What if you find out you can't fit those last few things in your suitcase, and it's too late to store something? Have an end-of-the-year swap meet with your friends to trade and give away the clothing and other things that you won't keep. I know many of you would like any excuse to party, and there's a great one right there. (When TUPD shows up to quiet you down, you can say that you're saving the environment!)
Ultimately, the goal is to buy fewer new things by reusing what you have and what you can get from your friends. This summer, everyone is lamenting the state of the economy, so what better time to become more conscious of what you don't need to buy? Before you go out to buy something, think hard about what you already have. Could you put something to a new and creative use? Not only will you save money, but you will help the environment. The majority of waste comes from the creation of an object, so if you don't buy something new, you reduce that production waste. This is another reason why JumboDrop is a great source if you do need to buy something at the beginning of next year. So please, before you hit the campus bookstore, visit JumboDrop, and if you see a freshman about to get on that bus to Target during orientation, tell them that they can save a lot of money by investigating JumboDrop instead. Next year, think a bit harder about the options for the things you would otherwise donate or heaven forbid, throw away (?!), even and especially when it's not JumboDrop season. You'll be saving money and helping the environment at the same time. Sweet deal! Kelsey Schur '12
Posted by
Kelsey
at 4:58 PM
May 5, 2008
Jumbos- Don't trash it! Are you trying to pack for the summer but burdened with too much stuff? Don’t trash it, donate it! As part of an effort to reduce waste and save valuable items from the incinerator, the Tufts Facilities Department sponsors Jumbo Drop. JD has placed donation boxes in all the dorms, apartments and most small houses. We even have a box for off-campus students to participate. The box is accessible Monday-Friday from 10am-7pm at the Tufts Institute of the Environment in the rear of Miller Hall.
Donations will be sorted, partially donated to local charities and the remaining goods stored over the summer for a yard sale on Labor Day. The yard sale offers students low priced dorm goods. Proceeds of the sale continue to fund this worthwhile cause.
Green For AllEarth Day at Tufts was especially well-celebrated this year thanks to ECO’s week of events leading to April 22nd, culminating with a UEP-sponsored talk by civil rights activist Van Jones. An extremely animated and inspirational speaker, Van best described his Green For All program with the simple and logical point, the idea is to “bring people who desperately need work to work that desperately needs to be done.” Providing green collar jobs for low-income families will allow a restructuring of a green economy while providing jobs for those who most need them. He inspired a hopeful audience as he urged everyone listening to work towards the most extreme social changes imaginable, that this is the time for change. Joining the Tufts students and faculty in the audience was the Green Team, an interactive educational program for high school students and teachers focusing on environmental leadership, advocacy, and community service. Thank you Van for coming to Tufts and showing us what is really is to pursue a vision.
Posted by
Lucy
at 4:45 PM
April 15, 2008
Party for the Greatest Planet With Earth Day fast approaching, Tufts students begin to flock to the lawn to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. While that in itself is a great way to enjoy the earth, Tufts ECO has also organized a week long celebration leading up to Earth Day, April 22nd, including numerous activities that bring students closer to their planet. Learn about local and organic foods and how to prepare some delicious dishes, fix up your bike in preparation of exploring Boston, join Professor Ellmore and other plant enthusiasts on a nature walk, and more! Check out the EarthFest event schedule at ECO’s website: ase.tufts.edu/eco/. The week culminates with speaker Van Jones, civil rights activist and supporter of “green collar jobs,” from 6-7pm in Cohen on April 22nd. So this coming week, check out ECO’s EarthFest events and most importantly, go outside!
Recycled Products Have Come a Looong Way Baby This past weekend Hynes Convention Center was abuzz with dozens of green vendors peddling everything from organic vodka to reusable diapers in the down:2:earth convention.
Of the dozens of vendors, there were quite a few with unique approaches to recycling. One of the more interesting products was an originally crafted and biodegradable casket or Ecopod, made from recycled paper. FINALLY you can even lessen your eco-impact after death. Touting the headline, “grave concerns, natural solutions”, Mourning Dove Studios is a great example of the diversity of corporations offering “green” options for everyday living (here and beyond).
Aside from recycled coffins, one could find any variety of recycled homeware and gifts. Preserve by Recycline, makes all their goods, which include toothbrushes, razors, tableware, kitchen gadgets and toothpicks from 100% recycled plastics. Although the convention is over, Recycline products are available in many local grocery stores. If it’s fashion that interests you, you will love Ella Vickers- Recycled Sailcloth Collection. If art is your passion, Artists for Humanity had wonderful tables made from magazines on display. Click here to check them out. Greenward, located right in Porter Square showcased elegant, attractive and functional eco-modern goods.
Sadly, d2e is over and may not be back for another year. Luckily, you can still check out their website to see what you missed, how you can learn more and why you should attend next year. http://d2eboston.com/
Recycle Strong- Only 4 Weeks Left! In RecycleMania news, Tufts sits pretty at 3rd place for all Massachusetts schools. But are we going to let Boston College, who only in the last few years developed a recycling program, keep their spot at 2nd? Everyone knows an elephant could beat an eagle in a fight any day. So let’s prove it.
Meanwhile, Tufts is fourth to Middlebury, Williams, and Connecticut Colleges in the NESCAC division. In some cultures recycling is seen as the ultimate sport, so it’s time to forget basketball, stop practicing lacrosse, and get out your blue bins. We’ve got a great recycling facility, recycling bins everywhere, and campus full of smart people. There’s nothing stopping us from getting to number 1. So use the resources we have and help Tufts rise in the ranks to first place. Tufts would be unstoppable if everyone recycled all paper, publications and boxes (including food cartons). And remember, aluminum and plastic take out containers and plastic cups from Hotung and the Commons are recyclable.
Posted by
Lucy
at 4:12 PM
February 28, 2008
A Jumbo in Jamaica?Not quite, but your old desk or mattress might be heading for sunnier weather, in order to furnish the residences of people in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
Last Friday, assisted by the Institution Recycling Network (IRN), 544 pieces of Tufts’ used office and school furnishing said goodbye to a snowy Medford. That’s over 14 tons of surplus furniture! In the end, it will help furnish the home of a Jamaican citizen or non-profit who would otherwise have no desk, chair or even a mattress.
Not only does this contribute to the economic development of Jamaica (have you ever tried studying without a desk or a chair, after an uncomfortable night’s sleep?), but it is also the right decision for the environment. According to the IRN, donating for re-use will divert 98% of materials from disposal. Why throw away something that is still usable?!? And for all you econ majors, it even makes financial sense – more often than not, waste disposal and recycling are actually costlier options. Just a little tip for move out day.
The Facilities Department deserves a big round of applause for this wonderful effort!
Posted by
amanda
at 4:38 PM
February 15, 2008
New Video Debut- "Live With It" Some people recycle, some don't. Starring Sara Raley. Produced by Laur Fisher, Written and Directed by Yosefa Ehrlich, Lori Lichtman, Lucy McKeon and Laur Fisher. January 2008
This wonderful video was created by Tufts Recycles! interns who realized that there are many lesser known recyclable items. This video attempts to highlight that "bottles and cans" includes plastic cups and containers, batteries should be recycled and that food should be rinsed from to-go containers before recycling. The secondary message of this video is - if you don't recycle, keep it to yourself, don't clog up our land and air with trash.
RecycleMania for Planet EarthIn honor of RecycleMania, Tufts Recycles! will be showing the Planet Earth series, one or two episodes a week, every Sunday night at 9pm in Barnum 008. The series began with an overview of the earth’s diverse habitats in “From Pole to Pole” and Mountains (shown 1/27). Next we explored “Fresh Water” and “Caves” (shown 2/10) from across the world. Each episode concentrates on an ecological setting, such as our next showing “Deserts” and “Ice Worlds” (Barnum 008, 9pm 2/24), and shows extremely precise (high-definition) and difficult-to-obtain footage that took over 5 years to collect.
Narrator David Attenborough comments, “This new series is more a celebration of our planet, not a lament about the state of it. It shows what is still there. In some areas there is no doubt that we are doing damage to our world but, at the same time, there is a vast amount of uncharted and untouched wilderness.” We can hope that a series like Planet Earth will encourage people to take initiative to emphasize the importance of the wilderness and, with all optimism, to expand and not diminish its vastness.
So come to Barnum and enjoy the beauty of our planet with other enthusiasts. And don’t forget to look out for Recyclemania stats, coming to a bulletin board near you every Monday.
Recycle your glass en masse According to the October edition of Resource Recycling, because Americans alone discard over 12.5 million tons of glass per year, this transparent commodity is one of the major focuses of the recycling movement. Today, about 25% is recovered, and though 90% of recovered glass creates new bottles, some problems (such as shipping costs to bottle manufacturing plants and plant specification requirements) have made it clear that recovered glass can and should be used for other things. We told you in August that crushed glass can be used as sand substitute to aid eroded beaches, but these days glass is also finding a home as gold-course sand, decorative tile, furniture, and art. The Glass Packaging Institute asserts that there are approximately 80 post-consumer end-uses for recovered glass! Current research is being done on new end-markets for television and computer monitor glass, as well as automotive windshield glass. So next time you recycle that glass bottle, imagine it as contributing to a beach in Florida, or as a decorative vase on someone’s kitchen table.
Information for this summary was found in the October 2007 edition of Resource Recycling.
Posted by
Lucy
at 4:44 PM
November 29, 2007
Getting wasted at frats? Not anymore Yesterday, November 28, 2007 was the Dawn of a new day! Frat brothers recycling? Believe it or not, AEPi fraternity has agreed to attempt the unthinkable. No one thought this day would come, but like the first step on the moon, the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the invention of the iPhone, humanity continues advancing. Can the house of Alpha Epsilon Pi withstand the pressure of sorting their newspapers and beer cans from god only knows what sort of non-recyclable materials they produce? There’s simply no telling yet, but we look to this experiment as the blossoming first leaf of a ripening olive branch, which we hope to one day share with the Greek community here at Tufts.
Think Outside the Bottle Campaign Endorsed by SenateTufts Recycles! congratulates the Think Outside the Bottle (TOTB) campaign for writing a resolution that was recently passed by TCU Senate encouraging Tufts administration to spend less university money on bottled water. The resolution suggests supplying filtered tap water at university events as an alternative to selling bottled water, which TOTB maintains weakens public trust of tap water. TOTB also argues that by exploiting water-rich regions, privatized water-bottling companies sap a resource that should remain a public good. Finally, they assert that bottling water has “severe” environmental repercussions both to the regions from which water is taken and to the areas that are supplied with the bottles.
While reducing bottled water consumption decreases the volume of bottles being transported and recycled (and hopefully not thrown in the trash bin), alternatives to bottled water should be chosen thoughtfully. TOTB recommends supplying tap water in coolers and (paper) cups for water consumption at campus events. Tufts Recycles! suggests in the absence of reusable options, cups should be made of light-weight paper or recyclable plastic and recycling receptacles should be included at events. Hopefully this campaign will be one of many to help reduce overall consumption and waste production on campus.
November 15 is America Recycles Day! In anticipation of America Recycles Day and to learn more about trash at Tufts, Joshua Yellin, Lori Lichtman, Nicolas Viveros, Emily Rockwell, Yosefa Ehrlich, Heather Angstrom and Dawn Quirk sorted through a whole dumpster of dorm trash today. A whopping 25.86% of the six yards of sorted trash could have been recycled (based on volume). Out of thirty six and half bags, almost seven bags were paper and almost three were mixed bottles.
Help us do better by participating in the recycling program. Come by Dewick during lunch on America Recycles Day to pledge to recycle better. If you cannot pledge in person, click here to read the pledge and tell us what you choose. Email us at recycle@tufts.edu.Thank you!
Please Drink Responsibly Did you know that more than 4 billion pounds of plastic bottles end up in landfills or as roadside litter annually? Or that producing bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water required more than 17 million barrels of oil last year – enough fuel for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year - and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide? These were some of the shocking points discussed during the World Water Challenge held today by the Think Outside the Bottle initiative at Tufts. Tufts Recycles! warmly welcomes TOTB and hopes to work together in efforts to reduce overall consumption by not drinking bottled water, reuse resources by promoting Nalgenes, and encourage those who do use water bottles to properly recycle them.
We're still saving off the grid Thanks largely to our favorite energy manager and Tufts Recycles! advocate Betsy Isenstein, National Grid recognized Tufts yesterday for vigorously utilizing energy efficiency upgrades over the last twenty years. During the company’s celebration of 20 years of energy efficiency, Secretary Ian Bowles, on behalf of Gov. Deval Patrick, presented the National Grid with a congratulatory Citation in honor of the anniversary. Appropriately located in the energy-efficient Sophia Gordon Hall, the event featured speaker and National Grid Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Marcy Reed. Reed pointed out that Tufts has “long demonstrated its commitment to energy efficiency and the environment.” But what exactly does Tufts accomplish annually? The answer is energy conserved to power 379 homes for a whole year and an offset of 3,300 tons of greenhouse gasses!
Betsey Isenstein Energy Manager Tufts, John Roberto Tufts VP for Operations, Larry Bacow Tufts President, Ian Bowles MA Secretary of Environment and Energy, Marcy Reed Senior VP of External Affairs Nat. Grid
Grades are in; Tufts has been doing its homework The Sustainable Endowment Institute has released its second College Sustainability Report Card, which grades the 200 US colleges with the largest endowments on such things as transportation, climate and energy, food and recycling, green building, investment priorities, and endowment transparency. The average grade being a C+, Tufts is excited to have raised it’s grade from last year’s B- to this year’s B+. Tufts is very proud for the recognition of all its hard work; but don’t think this means we’re planning on playing hooky or slacking off next semester :-)
Posted by
Lucy
at 4:22 PM
October 25, 2007
Tufts is cool, in fact we're chillySierra Magazine named Tufts one of America's Top 10 "Coolest" Schools
A combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and a new electricity contract has reduced Tufts’ emissions close to 1990 levels.
Tufts University has long been a pioneer in campus sustainability. In 1990 Tufts launched the international Talloires Declaration, now endorsed by 300 academic leaders worldwide. More than fifteen years later, campus sustainability is now part of the fabric of university life… an electric tractor mows the organic baseball field; water use is down 10% since 1990; students can rent electric and hybrid vehicles as part of a shared vehicle program; dining services offers organic and local foods and buys high efficiency appliances; renewable energy powers Sophia Gordon Hall the new residence hall (a LEED Silver building, topped with photovoltaic and solar hot water systems); the library roof is turf; recycling is a part of everyday life; and student learning is integrated into these many initiatives through research, class projects, and internships. Tufts University is a founding member of the Chicago Climate Exchange and was the first university member.
Corporations are making it easier to recycle electronicsIn the technology age, students worldwide can no longer only think about recycling paper and plastics. Now, with computers, batteries, and other electronics, e-waste is collecting at a rapid pace, and with technology advancing every second – iPhone anyone? – older, electronics are being trashed at top speed! (an iPod that doesn’t play videos? That is sooo last year).
Fortunately, corporations are increasingly taking responsibility for old equipment which means there are now more consumer options for computer recycling. We just updated our list of recycling and donation options for old computers- Click here to learn how to dispose responsibly. (Although, using electronics until they become retro is the coolest thing to do)
Coke cans, broken glass, VHS tape, and rusty nails are just some of the materials that comprise Nancy Judd’s fantastic work. The piece show here was commissioned by the Target Corporation and is made from Target bags, recyclables, charitable donations, an employee shirt, re-used materials and trash. Click here to check out her whole portfolio.
Are you trying to pack for the summer but burdened with too much stuff? Don’t trash it, donate it! As part of an effort to reduce waste and save valuable items from the incinerator, the Tufts Facilities Department sponsors Jumbo Drop. JD has placed donation boxes in all the dorms, apartments and most small houses. We even have a box for off-campus students to participate. The box is accessible Monday-Friday from 10am-7pm at the Tufts Institute of the Environment in the rear of Miller Hall. 
Earth Day at Tufts was especially well-celebrated this year thanks to ECO’s week of events leading to April 22nd, culminating with a UEP-sponsored talk by civil rights activist 
With Earth Day fast approaching, Tufts students begin to flock to the lawn to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. While that in itself is a great way to enjoy the earth, Tufts ECO has also organized a week long celebration leading up to 
In RecycleMania news, Tufts sits pretty at 3rd place for all Massachusetts schools. But are we going to let Boston College, who only in the last few years developed a recycling program, keep their spot at 2nd? Everyone knows an elephant could beat an eagle in a fight any day. So let’s prove it. 
Not quite, but your old desk or mattress might be heading for sunnier weather, in order to furnish the residences of people in Spanish Town, Jamaica. 
In honor of 
Tufts Recycles! congratulates the 
In anticipation of America Recycles Day and to learn more about trash at Tufts, Joshua Yellin, Lori Lichtman, Nicolas Viveros, Emily Rockwell, Yosefa Ehrlich, Heather Angstrom and Dawn Quirk sorted through a whole dumpster of dorm trash today. A whopping 25.86% of the six yards of sorted trash could have been recycled (based on volume). Out of thirty six and half bags, almost seven bags were paper and almost three were mixed bottles. 
Did you know that more than 4 billion pounds of plastic bottles end up in landfills or as roadside litter annually? Or that producing bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water required more than 17 million barrels of oil last year – enough fuel for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year - and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide? These were some of the shocking points discussed during the World Water Challenge held today by the Think Outside the Bottle initiative at Tufts. Tufts Recycles! warmly welcomes TOTB and hopes to work together in efforts to reduce overall consumption by not drinking bottled water, reuse resources by promoting Nalgenes, and encourage those who do use water bottles to properly recycle them. 
The Sustainable Endowment Institute has released its second College Sustainability Report Card, which grades the 200 US colleges with the largest endowments on such things as transportation, climate and energy, food and recycling, green building, investment priorities, and endowment transparency. The average grade being a C+, Tufts is excited to have raised it’s grade from last year’s B- to this year’s B+. Tufts is very proud for the recognition of all its hard work; but don’t think this means we’re planning on playing hooky or slacking off next semester :-)
In the technology age, students worldwide can no longer only think about recycling paper and plastics. Now, with computers, batteries, and other electronics, e-waste is collecting at a rapid pace, and with technology advancing every second – iPhone anyone? – older, electronics are being trashed at top speed! (an iPod that doesn’t play videos? That is sooo last year). 
Does “recycled fashion show” conjure up images of Hawaiian skirts made from paper shreds or give flashbacks from