Analysis of current situation Grounds maintenance at Rice University is a vital part of the standard functioning of the campus system. This requires the input of energy in the form of labor, fuel and materials.
Maintenance has environmental impacts both internal and external to the campus system.
A primary impact is the generation of yardwaste in the form of leaves and wood. These compounds have hazardous effects both in production and in application, but are necessary to maintain the campus in its current state. And, of course, all of this input of energy and materials has its associated economic costs as well. One of the mulching mowers on campus. In evaluating these impacts, a guiding principle is to increase the rate of internal recycling within the campus system.