Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Columns

One challenge facing every industry and business is the ability to "go green," becoming more environmentally sustainable. Many of the world's largest companies (including Wal-Mart, Toyota and Goldman Sachs) are changing their business models due to changing consumer demand, preparation for government regulation, and, most of all, because it makes long-term financial sense.

As a polytechnic school, we have an obligation to society to produce graduates who are able to tackle 21st century problems, such as sustainability. Cal Poly is uniquely positioned to accomplish sustainability curriculum objectives and reduce its own ecological footprint by using campus as a living laboratory for sustainable technologies and processes.

Here are just two (of many) projects that would create a more sustainable Cal Poly and provide unique educational opportunities for students today:



Campus Biodiesel

Some students may have noticed the three Campus Dining trucks labeled with the "Powered by Biodiesel, Making Your French Fries Work Harder" logos. Pretty cool, right? Actually, the trucks aren't running off your french fries yet, but rather a B20 fuel (20 percent biodiesel) purchased from a local fuel vendor. They will be soon, though.

Cal Poly Biodiesel is currently building a processor to convert the 8,000 gallons of Campus Dining grease created each year to biodiesel. Closing this waste loop will create enough biodiesel to meet the campus demand for B20. Started as a student project two years ago, Cal Poly Biodiesel now has five senior projects and a multidisciplinary team working to complete the reactor by spring. The student leaders of the project are now looking to the university to help them institutionalize the processor and the use of biodiesel on campus.



Campus composting

Composting is another waste loop students are working to close on campus. Campus Dining kitchens compost approximately 1,500 pounds a day from kitchen scraps in roughly a year. This organic matter is collected and trucked out to the Cal Poly Organic Farm where it is composted in large earth tubs, then used as an organic fertilizer. Amazing! In an effort to become even more sustainable, Campus Dining has been increasing the amount of compostable containers and foodwear around campus.

The problem here is that these products are disposed of in the trash where it is unlikely they will actually compost. (In order to compost, you need air, water, heat and rotation of the material.) Although that is better than non-compostable products, this process is still far from being "zero waste."

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