Click here for photos of the grand opening
of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center.

Ushering in a new era of environmental conservation, Michigan State University staged the grand opening of its new Surplus Store and Recycling Center on Sept. 10. The event featured speakers such as MSU President Lou Anna Simon, MSU Vice President Fred Poston, and Ruth Daoust, manager of the new facility. Attendees had the chance to learn about MSU's surplus and recycling operations via tours of the center.

The new Michigan State University Surplus Store and Recycling Center encompasses the definition of what it means to "Be Spartan Green."

The center has the ability to triple the amount of materials recycled compared to the previous facility. The five main materials recycled at the center are white paper, mixed paper, newspapers, cardboard and plastic. With the coupling of the new facility and recycling program, MSU will increase its recycling efforts and reach 553 buildings on campus.

The center is not only an addition to reducing waste at MSU: The facility itself consists of many "green" features. The concrete surrounding the building contains recycled glass, which replaces 15 percent of the original mixture. This interchange strengthens the concrete and is more energy-efficient when in the production process.

"By using non recyclable green glass, we are both reducing costs and keeping this material out of the landfills," said Bob Nestle, university engineer.

Other "green" features include:

• rainwater collection tanks on the roof of the building that will provide toilet water;

• rooftop photovoltaic solar array panels that will produce 10 percent of the electricity for the building;

• broad use of day lighting throughout the facility through large number of windows;

• motion sensors to control lights within high-traffic areas;

• low-flow fixtures in restrooms;

• recycled green-glass counter tops.

The 70,000 square feet center includes the MSU Surplus Store; recycling operations, offices and education center; storage areas for compost, concrete and metal scrap; a truck scale and space for roll-off and semi-trailer storage containers.

Many Phys Planters have been involved in the process of the project, from beginning to the end including, Ruth Daoust, manager of the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center; Michael Mitchner, service manager III; Lynda Boomer, engineer/architect IV; Greg Houghtaling, engineer/architect III; Chris Burns, planner/inspector/analyst I; Rick Johnson, engineer/architect IV; Bob Nestle, university engineer; Phuong Nguyen, engineer/architect IV; Van Frazee, engineer/architect IV; Dave Wilber, landscape architect II; Jim Fashbaugh, service manager III.

"This is a wonderful example of MSU's commitment to our environmental stewardship not only for our campus but the community," said Daoust, manager for the facility.

Click here for photos of the grand opening
of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center.

September 24, 2009