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Waste

Introduction

Waste reduction mitigates the need to extract virgin materials from the earth, such as trees and metals. Reducing the generation of waste reduces the flow of waste to incinerators and landfills which produce greenhouse gas emissions, can contaminate air and groundwater supplies, and tend to have disproportionate negative impacts on low-income communities. Source reduction and waste diversion also save institutions costly landfill and hauling service fees. In addition, waste reduction campaigns can engage the entire campus community in contributing to a tangible sustainability goal.

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Max, a cosmetology student at Johnson County Community College, uses the campus' Green Circle bin to dispose of cut hair for composting.

Johnson County Community College Green Circle Certification in Cosmetology

  • Johnson County Community College (KS)

In February 2017, Johnson County Community College’s Center for Sustainability began to develop a certification protocol for the campus’ cosmetology program to become Green Circle certified. This third-party certification ...

The University of Dayton places composting and recycling bins outside dining facilities on campus to encourage composting and recycling and diverting “trash” from landfills.

University of Dayton Composting and Recycling Bins

  • University of Dayton (OH)

The University of Dayton places composting and recycling bins outside dining facilities on campus to encourage composting and recycling and diverting “trash” from landfills.

Students in the University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute built two 4’x6’ bins to compost campus food and plastic.

University of Dayton Composting Bins

  • University of Dayton (OH)

Students in the University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute built two 4’x6’ bins to compost campus food and plastic.

Reduce the Juice: How to Run a Waste Sprint

  • University of London

This communications plan aims to assist universities that are looking to run residence hall sustainability engagement program. It’s designed for running a waste reduction sprint, but could be used ...

Beyond Diversion: Qualitative Data to Measure Zero Waste Efforts

  • Carleton College (MN)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

Absence of a streamlined and holistic framework through which to measure and communicate waste reduction efforts has Zero Waste loosely defined among colleges and universities. This issue is aggravated by ...

  • Posted May 25, 2018
  • Videos & Webinars
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Project Delta

  • University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
  • Engineers for a Sustainable World (CO)

Project Delta was created by ESW-UTEP to evaluate and enhance The University of Texas at El Paso's (UTEP's) current recycling system. This project is expected to be finalized ...

CSU Zero Waste Symposium engaging students, faculty, staff and community members

Creating a Composting Culture at Colorado State University

  • Colorado State University (CO)

As Colorado State University (CSU) students, many of us were drawn to this school because of its unique ability to institutionalize sustainability. However, during our time here, we have often ...

Project Juarez

  • University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
  • Engineers for a Sustainable World (CO)

When our phones are no longer aesthetically pleasing, we tend to either disregard or throw away our phones. The question is why? Essentially, we are throwing away a small computer ...

MEND

  • Princeton University (NJ)

This semester, Princeton's EcoReps launched “Mend Monday,” a bi-weekly clothing repair initiative in Frist Campus Center. Cecilia Shang '18 and Nico Viglucci '17, the group's organizers, believe that ...

Ditch the Disposables

  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)

Ditch the Disposables is a WPI student-run campaign that was started in 2016 to reduce single-use plastic items at WPI. The project began with a reusable container program in the ...

Visitors consider the Plastic Entanglements exhibition on opening night.

Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, Materials

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)

The exhibition, PLASTIC ENTANGLEMENTS: Ecology, Aesthetics, Materials was on view at Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art from February 13, 2018 to June 17, 2018 with additional commissioned and ...

Searle Center for Sustainability Innovations Student Intern

Loyola University Chicago Biodiesel Program

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)

The Biodiesel Program, part of the Searle Center for Sustainability Innovations in Loyola’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability, saw its humble beginnings grow from an ingenious student idea to one ...

Lead Waste Auditor, Martha MacGowan conducting a waste audit

The Nova Scotia Community College’s (NSCC) Waste Management Improvement Project

  • Nova Scotia Community College (NS)

The project began with waste audits to establish a baseline of NSCC’s waste management practices and to try and improve them. From there it progressed into education efforts at ...

Stanford Students Use Green Cleaners

Stanford R&DE Student Housing Innovation in Cleaning

  • Stanford University (CA)

Stanford’s R&DE Student Housing Operations (SHO) adopted a green cleaning standard that has reduced chemical usage in residences by over 90%. The system engineer's water by infusing it ...

Food waste collected at Gallery dining hall; 2 hours, 160 pounds

Clean Plates at State: Michigan State University

  • Michigan State University (MI)

Michigan State University is continually striving to build a sustainable culture on campus and in the Spartan community. Clean Plates at State helps students and members of our community understand ...

Exterior bin stations now only have a blue recycle and green compost bin

Campus-wide Zero Landfill Waste Policy Implementation & Outreach Program - Emory University

  • Emory University (GA)

In January 2018, Emory University implemented a completely redesigned waste policy as a leap toward the goal of zero landfill waste (defined nationally as diverting 95% of waste from municipal ...

A Comms Plan for Running a Waste Reduction Engagement in your University

  • University of London

Over the last three years at Reduce the Juice we’ve learnt a lot about running successful behaviour change engagements and now want to share what we’ve learnt with ...

SOU Dish Loan Program Inventory Storage

Southern Oregon University Dish Loan Program

  • Southern Oregon University (OR)

Southern Oregon University's Ecology and Sustainability Resource Center launched a Dish Loan Program in fall 2017. The Dish Loan Program is a free alternative for campus clubs, organizations, and ...

compost sign

Improving office recycling

  • Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)

Every semester, the Environmental Science and Sustainability (ENVI201) class studies recycling on campus and comes up with ideas for improvements. Student Deidre Supple had the idea of improving recycling in ...

Food Lab Compost Project

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PA)

This project aims to reduce food waste produced by the West Chester University Food Lab. First, food scraps from the the Food Lab are collected in a sealed bin. Then ...

Working on Biodiesel in the Lab

Renewable Energy for Campus Facilites Services

  • Black Hills State University (SD)

Demonstrating the effectiveness of the use of renewable energy at low costs in campus facilities services vehicles will help Black Hills State University reach its carbon and waste reduction goals ...

Implementation of a Green Labs Program in Campus Laboratories

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)

UAB Green Labs Program is an institution-wide, voluntary program designed to reduce the university’s carbon output while simultaneously reducing operation costs of research buildings. The program accomplishes its goals ...

U of A Students Working to Ensure Food isn't Wasted During Walmart Week

The Razorback Food Recovery

  • University of Arkansas (AR)

Food recovery – the practice of preventing surplus foodstuffs from being dumped in the trash – takes numerous forms and provides a variety of social, economic, and environmental benefits. According to the ...

Adding Recycling into Individual Offices

  • South Dakota State University (SD)

2017-2018 has been the year of recycling for South Dakota State University. We looked at recycling levels and determined there was room for improvement. It was determined that availability of ...

Where does it go? Composting at GWU

  • George Washington University (DC)

In February 2018, the George Washington University’s Office of Sustainability and Campaign GW embarked upon a new, risk-taking endeavor to expand access to composting and sustainable food waste across ...

  • Posted May 8, 2018
  • Videos & Webinars
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Vegan Outreach at UDEM

Earth Week at Universidad de Monterrey

  • Universidad de Monterrey

During Earth Week at UDEM, students and staff have the change to participate in different workshops, keynotes and activities that promote the three main topics for this year's Earth ...

Willie the Wildcat helped promote recycling during Northwestern University's Earth Month celebrations.

Northwestern Promotes Recycling during Earth Month

  • Northwestern University (IL)

Northwestern University celebrates Earth Month throughout April. One of the highlights of the month is Mount Trashmore, and event that calls attention to the amount of waste generated on campus ...

Bobcat Blend crew processing food waste

Composting for a Greener Campus: the Texas State University Bobcat Blend program

  • Texas State University, San Marcos (TX)

Bobcat Blend is a faculty managed, student-run and grant-supported research and teaching-oriented waste management campus composting program at Texas State University. The goals of the organization are to teach students ...

One of the models for the Trash Fashion show in a dress made from magazine advertisements.

Trash Fashion Show 2018

  • Appalachian State University (NC)

Appalachian State and community partners put on a Trash Fashion Show in the new university/Community HOW space. The designers made clothing from items that would have otherwise been discarded ...

Green reminder screen saver on staff computers

Progress toward 90% waste diversion goal

  • Olds College (AB)
  • Bow Valley College (AB)

Bow Valley College has come a long way in terms of waste management in the past four years. In 2014, our waste diversion rate was 19%. In 2018, our diversion ...

  • Posted April 25, 2018
  • Case Studies
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Elon Student Patrick Larsen enjoys Waste Reduction Twister

Waste Reduction Twister at Elon University

  • Elon University (NC)

Elon student and Eco-Rep Tori Ippolito created a twister game which focuses on waste reduction. The spinner indicates different types of materials found on campus, with a guide to indicate ...

  • Posted April 25, 2018
  • Photographs
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UW-Madison Office of Sustainability interns Anna Weinberg, Ally Burg, and Noemy Serrano monitor a zero waste station during the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Earth Day Conference at Monona Terrace in Madison, WI.

Zero Waste Pilot at Earth Day Conference, Madison, WI

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

UW-Madison Office of Sustainability (OS) interns Anna Weinberg, Ally Burg, and Noemy Serrano monitor a zero waste station during the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Earth Day Conference at Monona ...

  • Posted April 25, 2018
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(L-R) Office of Sustainability intern Katie Piel and Outreach Director for the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Sustainability Committee, Madalynne Bridge, hold piles of clothing donated for the ASM Clothing Swap, held during Earth Week on the UW-Madison Campus.

Clothing Swap at UW-Madison

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

Office of Sustainability intern Katie Piel and Outreach Director for the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Sustainability Committee, Madalynne Bridge, hold piles of clothing donated for the ASM Clothing Swap ...

  • Posted April 25, 2018
  • Photographs
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Dominican U. Greenhouse tour and party

Earth Week activities

  • Dominican University (IL)

During Earth Week we provided various options to participate, from eating meatless meals, enjoying earth yoga, to taking a tour of campus highlighting the green spaces. We tried vegetarian snacks ...

  • Posted April 24, 2018
  • Photographs
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Green your Commute - it's Cool to Carpool

AUC EarthWeek 2018: “Collaborate, Create, Cultivate": Growing Green Culture at AUC”

  • American University in Cairo (Cairo)

All Week: - RISE Greenhouse and Aquaponics Display - Description: Have you always wanted to have a green thumb? Come check out what AUC’s brilliant growers at RISE have been cultivating ...

  • Posted April 24, 2018
  • Photographs
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New Mexico State University Business Council Earth Day volunteers

NMSU Earth Day volunteers from the College of Business

  • New Mexico State University (NM)

Business Council students volunteered to help out at our Southern New Mexico Earth Day Festival and we couldn't have done it without them. Thank you NMSU students!

  • Posted April 24, 2018
  • Photographs
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Ending Plastic Pollution Kit

Creighton University Leads Pledge to End Plastic Pollution

  • Creighton University (NE)

During its Earth Week celebrations, Creighton University's Office of Sustainability Programs led a pledge to end plastic pollution campaign. Earth Day Network's global theme for Earth Day 2018 ...

  • Posted April 23, 2018
  • Photographs
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Sweater Swap 101

University of Vermont Eco-Reps "Curb Your Consumerism" Campaign

  • University of Vermont (VT)

While the consumption of goods and services is a crucial component of modern economic systems, the culture of consumerism contributes to waste, resource depletion, pollution, and social and economic inequities ...

  • Posted April 23, 2018
  • Case Studies
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ReThink the Drink student organization

Water Cage at Northeastern University

  • Northeastern University (MA)

Water cage demonstration created on campus quad. Filled large cage with water bottles and attached facts and data about plastic bottle usage around the outside of the cage. Very effective ...

  • Posted April 23, 2018
  • Photographs
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One staff member's collected plastic for the week.

Pass Up Plastic Challenge

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire coordinated a Pass up Plastic Challenge. Students, faculty, and staff collected single-use plastics ...

  • Posted April 23, 2018
  • Photographs
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UC Merced Engineers for a Sustainable World

  • University of California, Merced (CA)

UC Merced's Engineer's for a Sustainable World talk to students, staff and faculty about current projects including aquaponics.

  • Posted April 23, 2018
  • Photographs
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Food Wasting Attitudes and Behaviours Among Residence Meal Hall Users at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

  • Dalhousie University (NS)

Dalhousie University has undertaken multiple initiatives in recent years to produce less food waste within their dining halls. This study aimed to develop a relation between the attitudes and behaviours ...

  • Posted April 11, 2018
  • Publications
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Innovative Solutions for Reducing Waste at Skidmore College: Analyzing the Carbon Footprint & Economics of Paper Towels vs. Electric Hand Dryers

  • Skidmore College (NY)

The purpose of this capstone project is to create the most culminating analysis of all of the available hand drying methodologies, and utilize this research in order to integrate the ...

  • Posted April 6, 2018
  • Publications
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Mission Zero Waste with Waste Management

  • Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Central Office (NJ)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Waste Management (TX)

In this free, one-hour webinar, you will hear about Waste Management's Think Green ® Campus Model, a comprehensive framework to help universities improve diversion, drive toward zero waste, and make ...

  • Posted April 3, 2018
  • Videos & Webinars
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Solid waste generation and characterization in the University of Lagos for a sustainable waste management

  • University of Lagos

Waste characterization is the first step to any successful waste management policy. In this paper, the characterization and the trend of solid waste generated in University of Lagos, Nigeria was ...

  • Posted March 29, 2018
  • Publications
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Sustainability and Civic Engagement: A Communications Engagement and Education Plan

  • Bridgewater State University (MA)

Across the United States primarily on a town or city basis, the increasing public awareness and understanding of the detrimental impact of human activity on the environment is fostering the ...

  • Posted March 22, 2018
  • Publications
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Student after doing an exchange for her plastic tote

Putting “Reduce” to Work: Getting Rid of Plastic Bags on Michigan State University’s Campus

  • Michigan State University (MI)

In order to mitigate the effects of plastic bags on the environment and to fulfill Michigan State University's commitment to sustainability, we pioneered a two part initiative to reduce ...

  • Posted March 19, 2018
  • Case Studies
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AASHE Award Winner Series - Composting, Recycling and Turning Trash Into Cash

  • Austin Community College (TX)
  • University of San Diego (CA)
  • AASHE (MA)

Andy Kim, Director, Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability and Darien Clary, Sustainability Coordinator, Austin Community College District (Winner of AASHE 2014 Best Case Study from an Associate College with 5,000 ...

  • Posted March 12, 2018
  • Videos & Webinars
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Results (Table)

University of Vermont Eco-Reps Composting Campaign

  • University of Vermont (VT)

At the University of Vermont (UVM), the Recycling and Waste Management program and the UVM Eco-Reps have identified a lack of understanding of composting within on-campus residential halls. Although composting ...

  • Posted March 5, 2018
  • Case Studies
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Instagram contest submissions

University of Vermont Eco-Reps "EcoWare, Everywhere!" Campaign

  • University of Vermont (VT)

The University of Vermont (UVM) implemented reusable EcoWare to-go containers in retail locations 2011. Data collected from the past 4 years has shown that EcoWare uses became concentrated in residential ...

  • Posted March 5, 2018
  • Case Studies
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.

All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.

OP 18: Waste Minimization & Diversion

OP 19: Construction & Demolition Waste Diversion

OP 20: Hazardous Waste Management

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Waste Partners

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