Sustainable Staff Spotlight: The Great Paper Towel Caper

Upon learning that Oregon State University was replacing all of its paper towel dispensers with a newer model, Laura Tilley, who works with the art department, immediately wondered what would happen to the leftover paper towels that will not fit in the new dispensers. Since she works with the art department, she thought perhaps OSU […]

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July 9, 2018

Upon learning that Oregon State University was replacing all of its paper towel dispensers with a newer model, Laura Tilley, who works with the art department, immediately wondered what would happen to the leftover paper towels that will not fit in the new dispensers. Since she works with the art department, she thought perhaps OSU art would have a use for the paper towels, as art projects often require lots of hand-washing and mess-managing.


Laura Tilley and a feline friend

So Laura emailed OSU Facilities and the OSU Sustainability Office in hopes of locating the extra paper towels. Sure enough, OSU Facilities knew the whereabouts of the paper towels and they were happy to give them to the art department. Next she emailed the art faculty, who were enthused at the idea of free paper towels and recommended some buildings to drop them off at.

David, an Art Department Assistant, and Laura arranged with Facilities to have the paper towels dropped off. Then David emailed the art faculty to alert them that the paper towels were ready to be transported to various art studios across campus; Sculpting, painting, printmaking, and photography students are all currently using these paper towels that may have otherwise gone to waste.

Art student Timothy Hartsock

Thanks Laura and David for keeping Sustainability in mind and taking the time out of their days to coordinate the paper towel re-location!

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CATEGORIES: Campus Recycling Campus Sustainability Community Sustainability Surplus Property Sustainable Student Spotlight Waste Reduction