University of Vermont

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• University of Vermont
• Recycling Waste Management
• Presented by
• Erica Spiegel

Eco-Reps Peer Education and Outreach Programs
in Residence Halls Presented by Erica M.
SpiegelRecycling Waste ManagementUniversity
of Vermont
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Growing Network of Peer-to-Peer Outreach Programs

• The first known Eco-Reps program started at
  Tufts University in 2000. Soon after, Harvard
  University REP program began. University of
  Vermont (UVM) started a program in 2004.
• Today, there over two dozen similar peer
  education programs in higher ed residential
  settings across the U.S. and Canada.
• Coordinators are networking to share ideas
  holding monthly conference calls around program
  development, implementation and evaluation.
• In 2007, UVM Eco-Rep Coordinator conducted a
  comprehensive survey and review of 26 programs.

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2007 Peer-to-Peer Sustainability Outreach Program
Survey Results

• Purpose of Survey
• Gather information on existing programs
• Range of topics/content and delivery
• Best practices and challenges
• Administrative structure
• Create a stronger network of professionals doing
  similar work
• Assist development of similar programs

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About the Programs Profiles

• 26 schools responded to national survey
• Most are four-year colleges
• 70/30 private/public
• Campus size 1,000-15,000 student body

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About the Programs Content Delivery

• Most common methods
• Door-to-door visits
• Posters and Flyers
• Group activities events
• Bulletin Boards
• Tabling
• Articles in student news

• Most common topics covered
• Waste Recycling
• Energy
• Water
• Food

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About the Programs Creativity!Beyond basic
activities and events, there is a great deal of
creativity throughout programs.

• Energy Bingo
• Energy Jeopardy games
• Food waste audits
• Recycled Valentines
• Reverse Trick or Treat to collect recycling
• Recycle Mania
• Earth Day promotions
• Nalgene bottle sales

• Tap vs. Bottled water taste tests
• Open Mic nights, music
• Distribution of campus green guides
• Ice cream study breaks
• Unplugged events
• Clothing exchanges
• Co-sponsor events with other student groups

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About the Programs Student Compensation
Accountability
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About the Programs Best Practices

• Partnerships and collaboration between various
  campus entities
• Structured program with application/hiring
  process, paid students, specific task lists,
  forms, manuals, and regular meetings
• Energy competitions, required written
  reflections, and recycling audits.

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Meet the UVM Eco-Reps

• Undergraduate students
• Must live in dorms on campus
• Variety of different majors and interests
• Are paid for 4 hours per week
• Required to attend a bi-weekly meeting to plan
  and discuss projects and progress.
• Several Eco-Reps are involved in other clubs
  integration, collaboration with others

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Why Did Eco-Rep Program Get Started?

• Lacked active involvement of Residential Life
  education staff. Recycling and energy was
  often viewed as a facilities thing.
• Lacked a coordinated systematic approach to
  promoting environmental awareness and behavior
  change in residence halls.
• Student environmental club involvement was
  spotty over the years, and none focused on
  residence hall life on campus.
• Thus, began pilot program as a way to connect
  UVMs institutional commitment to environmental
  stewardship and individual student behavior.

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Program Outcomes

• Many intangible benefits
• Promotes community-building in residence halls
  centered on ecological living that helps foster
  ecological literacy in all residents as future
  citizens.
• Engages students who might not otherwise get
  involved in residential hall activities.
• Supplements and supports programs sponsored by
  Resident Assistants and other Residential Life
  personnel and committees (e.g., hosting speakers
  and films, contests, and activities).
• Provides an impartial organization/group to
  assess and evaluate recycling programs and energy
  use in the residence halls. 

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Program Outcomes

• Projected tangible benefits
• If by employing Eco-Reps, the university can
  reduce trash generated in residence halls by 10,
  the university can potentially save 6,000 in
  landfill disposal fees.
• If we can reduce electricity costs (usage by
  students) in the residence halls (currently
  800,000/year) by just one-percent (1.00) the
  university can potentially save 8,000.
• If the university can reduce current water usage
  in the halls (360,000/year) by just one percent
  (1.00), the university can potentially save
  3,600.

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Partnering for Success
Eco-Reps undergraduate students
Christina EricksonProgram Coordinator/ PhD
Studentprovides direct coordination, project
supervision, and mentoring of Eco-Reps, program
development and evaluation
Resource People provide technical assistance
advice Gioia ThompsonEnvironmental
Coordinator Richard Wolbach Energy Management
Engineer Corey BermanRecycling Program
Assistant Stephanie KazaENVS Faculty John
SamaLiving/Learning Director
Eco-Reps Advisory Team
Erica SpiegelWaste/Recycling Managerprovides
program oversight, hiring, budget
Res. Life Administration provide operating budget
to Recycling program, and by extension, Eco-Reps
program, connections to Res Life governance
(CABs)
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What do Eco-Reps do?
Bulb swaps
Bulletin boards
Tabling
Waste sorts
Facility Tours
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Handbook on Webpage
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Conclusions

• Value in face-to-face contact and personal
  interaction.
• Importance of campus partnerships and
  collaborative relationships.
• Finding a balance between a structured program
  and creative environment for both students and
  coordinators.
• Gaining institutional support and resources is a
  challenge for all programs.
• Need for development of evaluation indicators.
• Successful program must ensure student
  accountability.
• Emphasize tangible, action-oriented learning.

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Additional Resources

• AASHE Peer-to-Peer Outreach Resource List
• http//www.aashe.org/resources/peer2peer.php
• National Eco-Reps Network Google Groups Page
• http//groups.google.com/group/ecoreps?lnkgschg
• Harvard University How to start a Green Living
  Program Manual
• http//www.greencampus.harvard.edu/greenteams/ch_t
  hree_rep.php

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For more information
http//www.uvm.edu/ecoreps Erica Spiegel UVM
Recycling Solid Waste Manager Erica.Spiegel_at_uvm
.edu Christina Erickson Eco-Reps Program
Coordinator Christina.Erickson_at_uvm.edu