Shannon Caveny-Cox

Shannon joined the Office of Sustainability in 2022, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in waste reduction and recycling at UNC Charlotte. Shannon is an alumna of UNC Charlotte (BA, Physics). She initially joined the UNC Charlotte’s Recycling Department, rising to be the unit lead as Recycling Coordinator for the University. When the Office of Sustainability created a position to focus on long-term planning and Zero Waste goals, she was able to apply her experience, institutional knowledge, and extensive campus network to the new position. During short breaks from the University, she worked at a bear and wolf preserve in Montana, and as the Recycling Coordinator for Gaston County, NC. 

The Solid Waste Coordinator provides campus-wide management of solid waste, including overseeing contracts for waste hauling, recycling, and composting. They assess campus needs for waste collection and disposal to ensure that the university meets legal requirements.  They collaborate with staff on systems that increase waste diversion (away from landfills) and reduce the production of waste. They work with units to ensure consistent standards and procedures are used across campus to improve performance and reduce costs.  They develop communications to the campus community that explain our waste systems and how to use them correctly.