Grounds: Sustainable and Accredited Organic

Over the past few years the grounds crew at Willamette has been taking great steps toward sustainability. They have changed the way they maintain the campus grounds, substituting chemical control agents with organic and natural methods. The product of their hard work is an accreditation by the Oregon Tilth, a beautiful and healthy campus, and a community that feels that the values of our students, faculty, and staff are reflected in our actions.

The transition toward sustainability

A major concern that helped motivate this transformation was the exposure of humans, especially visiting children, to the incredibly hazardous chemicals that were being used on the campus lawns. Additionally, members of the grounds crew recognized while our lawns and flower beds were beautiful, they were comprised of mostly non native plants, inhibiting the University from becoming the safe haven for the wildlife and insects that our students learn are so critical to the success of Oregon's ecosystems.

In light of these and other concerns, the crew viewed the transition toward sustainability as “the right thing to do". A transition of this magnitude, however, required a commitment on behalf of the entire University, as organic land care is more expensive, and requires some sacrifices. The community had to sacrifice their expectation for uniformity throughout the grounds and although the manual labor (part of their new method) is cheaper than using chemicals, it can be time intensive.

Fortunately, the efforts of the grounds crew were embraced by the community, and the crew has taken great pride in spearheading this transition. It allows them to get back to the basics of gardening and ask themselves what they, the plants, and the environments they are managing really need.

Learn more about the plants and animals you can find on campus

View the slide show documenting the progress, and learn more about the plants and animals you can now find on campus.

Did you know?

You may have noticed that in talking about Willamette's recognition from the Oregon Tilth we've consistently used the word accredited rather than certified. That's because "certified" is a word reserved for food production whereas "accredited" is the word used for land management.

• Ten Steps to Sustainability
  1. The grounds crew has decreased their use of chemical pesticides from 58 chemicals to only one chemical pesticide (roundup; rarely used). They use Oregon Tilth Accredited organic and natural “pesticides” including vinegar.
  2. Organic fertilizers, created specifically to fulfill the different soil needs around campus, are also used. Willamette Organics tests the soil all around campus to determine what the soil lacks, and then makes a blend, often including feather meal and chicken manure. Treating the health of the soil rather just the health of grass and plants decreases the soil's dependency on additives and brings it to a healthy balance.
  3. Leaving grass clippings on the lawns after they are mowed adds nitrogen back to the soil as part of a natural process, further decreasing the need to use any chemicals or even natural and organic additives to the soil.
  4. The grounds crew employees attend workshops and classes by organic gardening authorities, including OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) and NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association), to learn new methods of organic gardening and share their ideas with others.
  5. Hand-weeding and other methods of weed removal replace chemical use in eliminating weeds around campus. The crew also uses cardboard and wood chips to cover and kill weeds naturally, along with using the flame thrower when necessary.
  6. Their sprinkler system uses much less water than other systems because the grounds crew utilizes a drip system that allows a higher percentage of the moisture to be held in the soil (rather than just running off). The crew has identified lawns around campus that don’t need much water and lets many of their lawns go dormant during the summer time. Their healthy soil holds water better and can sustain healthier plants with less water.
  7. The crew has supported a shift in the community’s attitude toward weeds; they promote a tolerance of diversity, allowing clover and dandelions to grow in many of the lawns (which are good for the honeybees around campus) and don’t worry about the presence of plants, often considered weeds by others, in places where they were not planted. They utilize perennial planting, understanding that people will notice these plants instead of focusing on weeds.
  8. Using native species decreases the need for chemicals and decreases water use. Planting drought tolerant species also decreases the amount of water used on campus.
  9. Planting native species and promoting plant diversity on campus attracts beneficial insects, including pollinators and natural predators of pests, decreasing the need for chemical pesticides.
  10. Planting plants around campus that attract wildlife and hanging birdhouses, especially in the garden, creates a natural habitat for many of the animal species that would normally have had to relocate and find a new habitat. This also creates an environment that is more enjoyable for visitors and members of the university community.
• WU Recycling Guide

  This guide provides the latest updates for disposing of recyclable materials on campus. Please familiarize yourself with recycling protocols to take part in Willamette's efforts to become a sustainable, zero-waste campus.

  Mixed recycling includes clean and empty plastics and metals, paper and cardboard. Because broken glass can create safety issues for Facilities staff, we are not recycling glass on campus at this time. "Mixed recycling" bins found around campus in academic, office and residential buildings.
  
  Please visit Marion County's webpage for information about reuse options, recycling, composting and disposing of other materials and items. Contact Facilities Services for on-campus recycling support. 

  Plastics

  Please place clean and empty recyclable items into the blue "mixed recycling" bins.

  Recyclable	Not Recyclable
  Bottles	Caps and pumps
  Tubs	Thin film/wrapping
  Containers	Grocery bags

  Metals 

  Please place clean and empty recyclable items into the blue "mixed recycling" bins.

  Recyclable

  Aluminum and tin cans

  Aerosol cans (empty and non-hazardous)

  Most small scrap metal

  Aluminum foil (please remove food scraps and lightly crumple)

  Paper and Cardboard

  Please place recyclable items into the blue "mixed recycling" bins. To recycle corrugated cardboard, flatten and remove plastic, then stack neatly next to the bins.

  Recyclable	Not Recyclable
  Scrap paper	Greasy cardboard (pizza boxes)
  Junk mail
  Paper bags
  Magazines
  Newspapers
  Paperback books
  Greeting cards (no foil/glitter)
  Shredded paper (in paper bags)
  Cardboard egg cartons
  Paperboard

  Compost

  Uneaten food placed at Goudy and Kaneko tray return areas is composted by Bon Appetit staff. Please contact your Area Coordinator about composting options in residential buildings.  Options for composting in other locations may expand in the future based on demand.

  Compostable	Not Compostable
  All food waste
  Meats/proteins
  Dairy products
  Fruits/vegetables
  Grains/breads
  Eggshells
  Coffee grounds
  Tea bags
  Food-soiled paper products (napkins, paper bags, paper towels, etc.)