Facilities Managers Development Group

February 20, 2008

ICTAS- Corporate Research Center

Meeting Opened By: Dawn Maxey

Special Guests: Virginia Tech Recycling- Larry Bechtel & Dennis Cochran

Business Discussed:

Quoted from Source: The Scrap Bin- VT Recycling Blog

http://www.recycle.vt.edu/blog/

Wednesday at the 1:30 pm VT Facilities Manager Development Group Larry Bechtel, Coordinator of Virginia Tech Recycling, spoke about the new efforts and goals of Virginia Tech’s recycling program and how VT Facilities Managers (FMs) can assist with this effort.

Denny Cochrane, Virginia Tech Energy & Sustainability Coordinator began the presentation with a summary of the university’s recent sustainability efforts, and its renewed commitment to recycling. After Denny’s overview of the recent recycling and sustainability history at VT and acknowledgements of several supportive people, Larry then spoke to the nuts and bolts aspects of reinstating the paper recycling on campus. He iterated that it was especially great to meet with VT FMs because they deal with those nuts and bolts issues, as well. No matter how good a system looks on paper, implementation in physical reality always brings with it lots of challenges. Having the flexibility and patience to work through these challenges is key.

Larry reminded us that every person that handles paper (students, faculty, custodians, etc.) is part of the equation. Larry also reviewed the Scrap Bin (this blog) and various items on the VTR website such as the VTR document Recycling in VT departments (PDF), where campus recycling goes, and other links. VTR Assistant Coordinator Erik Olsen mentioned plans for expansion of the program to the Corporate Research Center (CRC) and the new Facebook group as well. Larry then reviewed 3 types of on-desk containers available (see photo), the green-lidded cans/bottle container (left side on the floor), & the 3 stackable bins for mixed paper, magazines/catalogs, and newspaper/phone books (on the table, right side). Q & A followed with several people asking about bins, plans for getting the CRC back on the recycling route, and of sharing instances of working with custodial staff to improve collections. VTR welcomes your input and, as Denny stated, when in doubt call Larry at 1-9915!

Meeting Adjourned

Next Meeting: March 12, 2008 – ICTAS- Corporate Research Center

Special Guest: Robin Miller, EHSS, Industrial, Maintenance, Construction, and Contractor Safety Guide