UT Resource Recovery- Resource Recovery Team Member
Description:
Resource Recovery is a department within UT Facilities Services which encompasses both Zero Waste and Surplus Properties. Resource Recovery is tasked with improving sustainability at UT, specifically with regards to reaching our 2020 Zero Waste goal to divert 90% of all materials from the landfill. Major diversion strategies include source reduction, recycling, and composting. As a result, we have the opportunity to partner and observe material processes across campus.
You would be a member of Resource Recovery’s student internship program. All of our student interns meet weekly as a team to share and learn and create synergy across our work. Additionally, Team Members will join a specific Project Team within Resource Recovery’s umbrella of work. In order to fulfill BDP Connecting Experience hours requirements, together we will identify an additional scope that you will pursue that compliments your team’s project work and builds additional knowledge/impact for Zero Waste! Team Members are not expected to have any sustainability background – only interest in learning! 2017-2018 Project Teams include:
Waste Audit: Gain hands-on experience through the assessment of campus’s trash and recycling streams. Comfort with bikes is appreciated as we use an electric-assist cargo bike to transport sorting supplies.
Outreach: Increase student awareness and knowledge with regards to reaching Zero Waste through planning of and participation in campus outreach events
Graphic design: Support campus outreach through social media development and develop signage and other graphic needs for zero waste programs
Zero Waste Workplace: Learn best practices behind implementing successful behavior-change programs and lead staff and faculty to achieve zero waste goals in each campus building
The work schedule will vary based on Project Team but all efforts will be made to align with student schedules. Team Meetings will likely occur after 5pm on a weekday. Some weekend activities may be necessary but will be scheduled in advance. Most positions allow for much of the work to be completed on the student’s own time.
What our current BDP students have to say about their experience:
“It is difficult at such a large school to find a community that you click with. I wish I had found Resource Recovery sooner. Everyone is admirably different. It’s definitely been fun.”
“I didn’t think there was so much to learn about trash, but I discovered otherwise my first waste audit. The waste audit team had to put up with all my questions about where plastic bags went or where to put Styrofoam cups, but it didn’t take long for us to become friends. I definitely learned a lot and since have not looked at trash the same way.”
“Being a part of the Zero Waste Workplace team has given me the opportunity to understand the different aspects of approaching diversion from landfills. In this experience, I learned about both the developmental and operational sides of sustainable projects. This internship helped me quantify the amount of waste that is generated on campus every day, and gave me perspective on the importance of managing our resources. This connecting experience made me realize the value of representing environmental issues in a visually appealing and simple manner, which helped me find my professional aspirations in the intersection of design, technology and sustainability. “
As a result of this experience, you will:
-Have a greater knowledge of sustainability considerations with regard to waste decrease and diversion
– Practice project management activities including planning, coordination, and implementation
– Enhance group work abilities
– Work with a variety of campus entities to achieve project goals
– Engage peers and staff to educate and motivate behavior change
Qualifications:
– Interest and/or experience in sustainability and willingness to learn about the inner workings of recycling, solid waste, and surplus
– Ability to maintain professionalism and represent the department well when communicating with faculty, staff, and students
– Timely and effective communication
– Punctual
– Ability to produce quality work individually and in teams
– Organized and adaptable
Supervisor’s Name: Lindsey Hutchison, Zero Waste Coordinator, Lindsey.Hutchison@austin.utexas.edu
