PPS Service Center

  
 

Fort Lewis College
   
   
   

Extension 7000

 

  
 
 

   
   

Facilities Update

  
   
   

 
 
   
   

 
   
 

 
 

      Recycled Road Patching

 

 
 

   

   

In support of Fort Lewis College’s commitment toward climate neutrality, the Physical Plant is experimenting with recycled road patches. Traditionally contractors will saw cut and remove the old asphalt, haul it to a waste site, prepare the road base and install new asphalt from a local hot mix plant. This involves heavy construction equipment vehicles and numerous trips to and from the construction site. This month a contractor has been using infrared technology to recycle the road materials on location at Fort Lewis College. The process involves heating up the existing asphalt to 300 degrees. They then agitate the old asphalt, add a slight amount of new material with a somewhat higher oil content, mix it together and pack it back down. We have done 101 patches this month. Traditional method would have required 80 tons of asphalt and 6 dump truck loads traveling over a dozen miles each way. The recycling method we are attempting used 17 tons of new asphalt and zero extra trips because the new asphalt is brought up in the equipment they use on site. Theoretically this one process could reduce the carbon footprint of road patching by over 80%. We welcome your comments, concerns and suggestions as we attempt to find the best ways to maintain the campus while being as environmentally friendly as possible.

 
 

 
 
 
 

In support of Fort Lewis College’s commitment toward climate neutrality, the Physical Plant is experimenting with recycled road patches. Traditionally contractors will saw cut and remove the old asphalt, haul it to a waste site, prepare the road base and install new asphalt from a local hot mix plant. This involves heavy construction equipment vehicles and numerous trips to and from the construction site. This month a contractor has been using infrared technology to recycle the road materials on location at Fort Lewis College. The process involves heating up the existing asphalt to 300 degrees. They then agitate the old asphalt, add a slight amount of new material with a somewhat higher oil content, mix it together and pack it back down. We have done 101 patches this month. Traditional method would have required 80 tons of asphalt and 6 dump truck loads traveling over a dozen miles each way. The recycling method we are attempting used 17 tons of new asphalt and zero extra trips because the new asphalt is brought up in the equipment they use on site. Theoretically this one process could reduce the carbon footprint of road patching by over 80%. We welcome your comments, concerns and suggestions as we attempt to find the best ways to maintain the campus while being as environmentally friendly as possible.

 
   
   

 
   
   

Trailers Prepare The Way For New Student Union Construction

  
 
   

The long awaited Student Union will have a groundbreaking dedica­tion April 17th at 4:00 pm.  Signs of the coming project can already be seen as FLC works to relocate programs that are currently in the CUB.  Trailers are arriving and will be situated at the north west end of the Mears Apartments.  The four trailers in all will be home to KDUR, the Environmental Center and the Independent News Paper until the entire Student Union project is complete in two years.

  
   

   
 
 

 
   
 
 

As mini projects and maintenance operations take place, waste materials from around campus have been brought back to the Physical Plant Services Yard and thrown in a trash roll-off.  Once again we have been looking for ways to increase environmental responsibility.  A new red recycling roll-off has been placed in the back lot.  PPS em­ployees will use this recycling container in place of the old green trash roll-off.  Once filled, the container will be hauled off to Phoenix Recycling Center where it will be separated and inventoried. It is ONLY for Fort Lewis College official use—not per­sonal items and we must make sure no traditional trash is put in this bin.  It is possible we could save over 200 cubic yards per year of material which is presently put into landfills.