PULLMAN – Over the past three years, WSU has recycled nearly 60 tons of waste generated from major sporting and entertainment events on its main campus here under a program made possible through a $17,400 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.
WSU Waste Manager Richard Finch said the additional special-event recycling has been made possible through the establishment of temporary recycling stations at 38 high-traffic locations areas in and around Martin Stadium and Beasley Coliseum.
“Events like home football games, which typically draw between 27,000 and 42,000 fans over a weekend, effectively double the population of the Pullman community and have the potential to overwhelm the existing waste management system,” Finch said.
“But thanks to the momentum provided by this grant and the active cooperation of the WSU Athletic Department, we’ve been able to develop a highly successful and growing program that enjoys the continuing support of WSU students and staff, as well as all the other fans attending sporting events and concerts here on campus.”
Smith said the university expects to be able to continue to maintain the special event recycling program in future years, despite the recent expiration of the EPA grant.
“The grant mainly provided initial equipment and supplies,” Finch said. “Since then, WSU Business and Finance has funded some permanent containers and we are providing the labor to service many of these containers, with the help of Martin Stadium and Coliseum staff – is becoming somewhat of a joint effort.”
