Where is the Office of Sustainability located?
The Office of Sustainability can be found in Miller Court Room 310 located at 302 N Wayne Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
Are there sustainability-related events on campus that I can attend?
Yes, the Office of Sustainability hosts several events each year on campus:
- America Recycles Day
- Campus Sustainability & Food Day
- Sustainability Symposium
- Narrow Ridge Alternative Spring Break
- RecycleMania
A great way to stay updated about upcoming events is to follow Sustainability at Georgia College on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
What are other ways that I can engage with sustainability on campus?
Fortunately, there are a number of environmental organizations at Georgia College to get involved with. The Office of Sustainability serves as the sponsoring office for the Gardening Club, Environmental Science Club, and the Campus Kitchen at Georgia College (CKGCSU).
Who can I contact if I have other questions regarding a sustainability-related matter?
You can contact the Office of Sustainability at sustaingc@gcsu.edu, or you can reach out directly to the Chief Sustainability Officer, Lori Hamilton, and the Sustainability Assistant, Cameron Skinner.
Why did Georgia College implement a campus-wide recycling program?
As an institution that values Reason, Respect, and Responsibility, Georgia College strives to be good stewards of our environmental resources. After a 2012 audit that determined that more than 66 percent of our waste is recyclable material, a committee of representatives from the Sustainability Council, the Office of Sustainability, the Sustainability Fee Program, Facilities Operations, and University Housing developed and endorsed the new campus-wide recycling program.
What exactly can I recycle while on campus?
Georgia College follows the guidelines set by our waste disposal vendor on what can and cannot be recycled. Below is a list of items that can be tossed in the blue bins around campus:
- Copy Paper
- Newsprint
- Brown paper bags
- Magazines
- Catalogs, telephone books, and paperback books
- Mail and envelopes
- Paper and paperboard (cereal and tissue boxes)
- Cardboard
- Plastics #1 and #2 (water bottles, soft drink bottles, milk jugs, bleach/detergent/shampoo bottles)
- Metal cans (tin, steel, and aluminum)
How do I participate in recycling?
If you live on Main Campus, collect your recyclable materials in a designated container of your choice. Empty the container when necessary alongside your regular trash where the standard blue bins are located. If you live on West Campus, please take the same steps as above to collect your recyclables. However, West Campus has a designated recycling station adjacent to the Village 4 building where recyclables should be taken. Students who are living off campus are encouraged to take advantage of the bins found in hallways, common areas, and classrooms.
Recycling bins located in faculty and staff offices are emptied weekly. If your bin becomes full before the custodian’s weekly visit, please empty your bin in a larger recycling container found in a hallway or outside your respective campus building.
Are the items in recycling bins actually being recycled?
Yes, all recyclables are collected and dispersed to the Materials Recovery Center located on West Campus. This area is managed locally by Advanced Disposal Services with Attaway Recycling handling all recyclable materials.
Do I need to organize my recycling?
No, Georgia College uses single stream recycling. This means that all recyclable items are commingled until it is taken off campus for processing. Additionally, recycling does not need to be bagged; however, please ensure all recyclable items make it into the appropriate container and that the the lid is closed.
What if I have bulk recycling needs?
The Office of Sustainability can assist with any bulk recycling needs. Simply email recycle@gcsu.edu to arrange a bulk recycling pick-up. Also use this email for any other questions or concerns you may have regarding Georgia College’s recycling program.
When did Georgia College begin composting?
Construction and installation of our in-vessel compost system was completed in fiscal year 2016. Collection and processing of food waste into compost material began in fiscal year 2017.
Where is the food waste coming from?
The Office of Sustainability partners with Georgia College’s Sodexo Team at the MAX in order to collect food waste. During the Spring 2018 semester, over 10,000 pounds of food waste was transformed into compost.
How is the compost being used?
Currently, the compost is being used at the West Campus Community Garden and as a tool for research under the Biological and Environmental Sciences Department here at Georgia College.
Can I visit the compost site?
Yes, the Office of Sustainability offers tours to the compost site for educational and service opportunities. If you are interested or want more information, please contact us.
Does our campus have a community garden?
Yes, beginning in August 2015, a community garden was constructed on West Campus to increase campus sustainability, environmental awareness, education, and provide research opportunities.
Where exactly is the garden located?
The Georgia College Garden is located on West Campus at the end of Samprone Trail behind the baseball field.
Can I harvest from the garden?
Yes, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit the community garden on West Campus and collect crops during the harvest season. All we ask is that you take only what you need and be sure to leave enough for others who may come behind you.
Can I help maintain the garden?
The Office of Sustainability encourages everyone to help the garden with cleaning, planting, watering and/or weeding. If you would like to become a caretaker for the garden, please contact the Gardening Club or the Office of Sustainability.