Wasteful Wednesday - Gutter Trouble

This installment hits a little close to home and hate I have to point out some of my own. I have seen this all over campus the last couple of weeks. Campus landscape has been putting out fertilizer in all the turf areas. They actually borrowed the Turf Program's tractor to spread it. If you've looked down while walking anywhere on campus you've probably seen it. The green prills indicate it is probably polyon, which is a slow release type of fertilizer. They have 'layers' of nutrients that are slowly released as the coating is broken down. A good fertilizer that doesn't burn the turf and requires fewer applications.

The problem comes in with the amount of fertilizer that ended up in non turf areas, namely concrete. By using a broadcast spreader it is very easy to throw fertilizer out of turf areas and into the street. However, all this street fertilizer is a waste of money and looks bad.

Turf is often finger pointed as a wasteful means of land use with all the maintenance requirements and chemicals needed. I most certainly disagree with that accusation, however seeing piles of fertilizer does not help our image. A little more care could save a lot of bad publicity.

Wasteful Wednesday - Stairmaster

I am a stairs only kind of guy except for a few situations. I probably go up and down 3 flights of stairs in my building 3-5 times a day depending on the schedule. I do take the elevator when I get here and when I leave because I have my bike with me. I used to carry it up and down the stairs as an extra workout, but I kept running into the walls making the turns and it was scratching my bike. So there are situations where an elevator is useful, however I suspect the vast majority of elevator use is from a lack of desire to exert the effort to take the stairs. From my office I have a clear view of the two elevators in our building. So I have a pretty good idea of the clientele that frequent it.

That brings me to this week's edition of 'Wasteful Wednesday.' Its really not that big of a deal nor a real waste. I have just been bored in my office lately and have noticed this so I thought I would tie it in for today. There is a seemingly fit lady who works on my floor and she is always taking the elevator. I know, not that big of a deal. The thing that stands out to me though, is in the afternoon she always changes in what appears to be workout clothes (shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, etc.), and has an gym bag with her. So after she changes and is leaving for the assumed gym she takes the elevator instead of the meager three flights of stairs. Maybe she doesn't want to wear herself out before she gets to the gym to wear herself out.

 (The view from my office door)

I just thought it was slightly humorous.

Wasteful Wednesday - Mulch Volcano

Its time for the second edition of Wasteful Wednesday that I failed to write on a Wednesday, again. Another testament that I should change the name.

I saw this topic of discussion just outside Dorman Hall. These oak trees were planted within the last couple years during the creation of the Junction. I've seen this practice done several times on campus. It is interesting to me because it involves landscaping and university money.

From a academic point of view we call these 'mulch volcanoes.'  This improper way of mulching comes about after a couple of years of adding mulch. Each year when new mulch is added, the old mulch is left in place and new mulch is put on top. After a couple years of doing this, you get enough for a small burial ground.

This is bad for a tree from an agronomic standpoint because the mulch essentially chokes the roots. Roots require oxygen to function and this severely limits aerobic conditions in the soil. A large mulch pile is a huge producer of heat making a little microclimate around the tree trunk, much like a compost pile. The large amount of decomposing material and warm temperatures is also very attractive to insects to make their homes. Some of which could be harmful to the trees or tailgaters.

Its also bad from an economic point of view because its a waste of money. Each year the pile gets bigger requiring more mulch to cover it, and if the tree dies you're out a lot of money.

Not a huge deal as far as waste, so that why I threw in the plant physiology lesson for free.

Blowing in the Wind - A Prelude to 'Wasteful Wednesday'

I haven't had a ranting post yet and really don't want it to become the theme of this blog. Rather, I occasionally have observations about how the powers at be do things and it sometimes frustrates me. So, as a way to voice my grievances I will use this rarely viewed blog. Seems efficient enough. I shall try to limit these things to once a week and will call it 'Wasteful Wednesday' (until I come up with a cooler name). Since this is the first of its nature it is exempt from actually occurring on a Wednesday.

As a conservative, I get quite frustrated with government waste. After all it is the taxpayers money they are wasting and since I pay taxes, it is my money too. If private companies want to waste their money, then go right ahead. Since they are required to actually make a profit, waste is usually hard to come by in the private sector. Government on the other hand, does not have to make a profit and we don't have a choice when it come to giving them our money. And it seems they are constantly wanting more and more.

So the point of these 'Wasteful Wednesday' entries will be to point out government waste (hopefully with a picture) and illustrate how if they weren't so wasteful they wouldn't need more money. (Conspiracy theorists may argue they are intentionally wasteful so they can take more of our money and thus rule over us completely since they would own everything.)

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mississippi State University and wouldn't trade it for anything. However, in my 7 years there have been a couple consistent negative threads.

1. Losing football seasons.
2. Increases in tuition.

Football has at least shown some promise, but I don't see them lowering tuition anytime soon. Tuition increases are justified as a way to cover increased university costs. One big expense and one we are consistently encouraged to do our part to lessen, is energy expenses. Lights have been turned off, thermostats regulated, and a team formed to combat wasting energy.

In my limited energy knowledge I know that lights are mere peanuts when compared with heating and cooling costs. Those are greatly influenced my how well a building is insulated. This brings us (finally, I know) to our first example of 'Wasteful Wednesday' (I already hate that title).

In my little corner of campus (Dorman Hall) I am greeted by a shot of cool or hot air, depending on the season, when I come to the building. At everyone of the 5 main level entrances to Dorman Hall there is about a half to one inch gap between the double doors.

I would suspect turning off every light in the building would be comparable to the amount of energy lost 24 hours a day through these 5 sets of doors.  I believe this poor design was a result of a recent redesign to add keycard access to every door. I don't know why that would prevent installing doors that actually touch.

I know its a small point, but just a thought I had as I enter and leave this building everyday.

Fortunately, during the winter you won't need to get inside to warm your hands, just hold them up to energy 'Blowing in the wind.'