Jackson State University is launching a new environmental stewardship initiative by determining what is in its garbage before setting up a five-campus recycling program. University custodians will deposit waste collected from campus sites and student and faculty researchers will conduct a waste audit at the University’s Receiving location, 1325 Hattiesburg Street, starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, according to visiting assistant professor Dr. Moe Chowdhury, director of the Urban Studies Program.
A waste audit is a formal, structured process used to quantify the amount and types of waste being generated by an organization. Information from audits helps identify current waste practices and indicate how they can be improved.
Data from this waste audit will be useful as the first comprehensive recycling program is established next month at the Jackson Medical Mall Campus of JSU, where the College of Public Service is located, Chowdhury said.
A series of such investigations for various campuses and buildings will help detect weights for recyclables such as toner cartridges, plastic and metal cans, bottles and paper products like newspaper, magazines, office paper and corrugated cardboard that can be sold for making new recycled content products. The database from such waste audits will have far-reaching implications in terms of reducing costs for waste disposal, improving environmental stewardship, mitigating climate change and improving recycling as a means for reducing the impact of global warming.
For more information, contact Dr. Ricardo Brown, dean of College of Public Service, at 601-979-8836.