USU Named Recipient of PepsiCo Recycling Zero Impact Fund
Zero Impact Fund, Utah State University is bringing a more organic landscape to its campus.
As a part of the Zero Impact Fund, USU was selected out of more than 60 proposals to receive funding that will work to increase sustainability efforts on campus by expanding the existing compost system with a wood grinder, which will accelerated the compost process and provide a fertile soil amendment.
According to USU Landscape Operations Manager Shane Richards, the addition to the compost system will help the university replace chemical fertilizers with compost. The benefits include increasing water retention in the soil and saving money on fertilizer purchases. USU student Paige Morgan secured an additional $9,000 of funding through a Student Sustainability Grant. With contributions from two grants, Richards expects the payback period to be approximately three years for the expanded compost system.
PepsiCo Recycling’s Zero Impact Fund aims to help schools across the country reach their sustainability goals by awarding up to $10,000 to support eco-innovations that increase sustainability on campus. In its second year, 19 schools were chosen for their unique and innovative proposals. For more information on the PepsiCo Recycling Zero Impact Fund and other winning proposals, visit PepsiCoRecycling.com.
About Utah State University’s Sustainability Council:
Since its founding in 1888, Utah State University has evolved from a small-town college tucked away in the Northern Utah mountains to a thriving research university with over 28,000 students state-wide. The university became a signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007, leading to the formation of the Sustainability Council. The Council seeks to reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and enhance quality of life by promoting sustainability in USU’s academic and service missions.
About PepsiCo Recycling:
PepsiCo Recycling believes that simple acts lead to a big impact. Every bottle and can recycled helps make your community and the world a cleaner, more sustainable place.
Contacts: Alexi Lamm, USU Sustainability Coordinator, alexi.lamm@gmail.com, 435.797.9299
Shane Richards, USU Landscape Manager, shane.richards@usu.edu, 435.797.7422
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