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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Solid waste characterization and recycling potential for a university campus
Integrated waste management systems are one of the greatest challenges for sustainable development. For these systems to be successful, the first step is to carry out waste characterization studies. In …
- Posted Sept. 20, 2017
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Greening academia: Use and disposal of mobile phones among university students
- University of Southampton
Mobile phones have relatively short lifecycles and are rapidly seen as obsolete by many users within little over a year. However, the reusability of these devices as well as their …
- Posted Sept. 20, 2017
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University community responses to on-campus resource recycling
- Massey University
In order to gain a better understanding of the attitudes and behaviour of a campus community toward a university concourse-based recycling scheme, a survey of 1400 students and staff, at …
- Posted Sept. 5, 2017
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Community responses to the removal of bottled water on a university campus
Purpose
This paper aimed to examine the impact of the removal of bottled water on the campus community. This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted at the first …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2017
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Impact on Plate Waste of Switching from a Tray to a Trayless Delivery System in a University Dining Hall and Employee Response to the Switch
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
A potential strategy for decreasing food waste in foodservice operations is trayless dining. The objective of this 2010 study was to compare the impact of using a tray vs a …
- Posted Aug. 18, 2017
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Paper Reduction at the University of Washington
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- University of Washington, Bothell (WA)
- University of Washington, Tacoma (WA)
The University of Washington is committed to reducing paper consumption at the university and using paper made from recycled content when necessary. Learn more about why that's important with this …
- Posted Aug. 17, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Marine Debris & Plastic Source Reduction Toolkit for Colleges & Universities
- University of California, San Francisco (CA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
EPA, the Product Stewardship Institute, and the University of California collaborated on this toolkit to help college campuses and other institutions cut their plastic waste and reduce marine debris and …
- Posted Aug. 17, 2017
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Fix It Friday promotional flyer
- Illinois State University (IL)
- Posted Aug. 15, 2017
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University Campus Solid Waste Management: Combining Life Cycle Assessment and Analytical Hierarchy Process
- University of Malaya
This volume provides a comprehensive method for optimizing solid waste management practices and procedures at college and university campuses through the use of cluster analysis to combine Life Cycle Assessment …
- Posted Aug. 14, 2017
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How Federal Programs and Partnerships can Help Reduce Wasted Food on Campuses
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
Food is the single largest waste stream sent to landfills and incinerators each year in the United States –over 70 billion pounds, which accounts for 21 percent of Americans’ everyday …
- Posted July 25, 2017
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Spatial characterization and analysis of the campus residential waste stream at a small private Liberal Arts Institution
The generation and management of solid waste on college campuses have presented challenges to pursuing institutional sustainability. Characterizing, analyzing, and understanding the composition of a campus’ residential waste stream is …
- Posted June 20, 2017
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The relationship between university students’ environmental identity, decision-making process, and behavior
Environmental education scholars have argued for the need to focus on identity as a more predictive factor than attitude of individuals’ environmental behavior. We examine individuals’ decision-making as a mediating …
- Posted June 7, 2017
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Full Service Organics
- St. John's University, New York (NY)
In the Full Service Organics documentary video, St. john's University, New York (SJU) has documented its efforts of student engagement in fighting hunger and waste, and making compost from food …
- Posted May 22, 2017
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Branding our Waste: Creating College-Specific Recycling Signage through Collaboration
- Red River College Polytechnic (MB)
In an ongoing effort to improve the effectiveness of our waste and recycling programs, Red River College set about redesigning our hallway waste and recycling signage (Pitch In signs) in …
- Posted May 22, 2017
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Promoting Sustainability through Coordination of Campus-Wide Conservation Practices
- University of South Alabama (AL)
While the University of South Alabama (USA) has a long history of independent sustainability ventures, it is only in last 18 months that sustainability as a program has become a …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Transforming Campus Food Service with Anytime Dining
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
The Department of Dining Services at University of Maryland (UMD) set a goal to change the student culture and experience on campus through the Anytime Dining residential dining program. The …
- Posted May 22, 2017
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Environmental and Economic Perspectives in the Analysis of Two Options for Hand Drying At an University Campus
Environmental criteria can be part of global energy policies for the establishment of support and development actions for different technologies. Minimization of greenhouse gas emissions is a benefit to all …
- Posted May 19, 2017
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Cowbell Cleanup
- Mississippi State University (MS)
Cowbell Cleanup is an initiative that was started by the Office of Sustainability on Mississippi State University's campus. The University faces a large influx of guests during home football games, …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Case Studies
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NC State University Achieves 95 Percent Diversion With Building Deconstruction
- North Carolina State University (NC)
Harrelson Hall, the first round classroom building constructed on a university campus, was deconstructed in 2016 and NC State University exceeded its waste diversion goal, diverting 95 percent of non-hazardous …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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Fix It Friday
- Illinois State University (IL)
Fix It Friday is a program in which fashion students set up sewing machines in various places within the Illinois State University campus and the surrounding Bloomington-Normal community and offer …
- Posted May 16, 2017
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Zero Waste Guide and the Good Food Festival Case Study
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Throughout the semester, Joe Iosbaker, UIC's Recycling Coordinator and Office of Sustainability (OS) staff member, and Ula Renetskis, Office of Sustainability Intern and author, have been working with Bright Beat …
- Posted May 15, 2017
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Oregon State U Fully Transitions to Reusable Food To Go Containers
- Oregon State University (OR)
The "Eco2Go" food container program at Oregon State University (OSU) Housing & Dining Services (UHDS) has eliminated all but a few specialized uses of disposable take-out containers within dining services, …
- Posted May 15, 2017
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University of California, Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Four: Food waste is the world's dumbest problem
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the fourth episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted May 15, 2017
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Questions of Waste
- University of Georgia (GA)
A unique and creative video documenting the waste habits of one student for a week. The video documents a friend of the videographer as she collects her waste for one …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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The Drivers Behind Edible Food Recovery Programs at Institutions of Higher Education
- Messiah University (PA)
Food waste is a multi-faceted issue that affects societies on a social, economic, and environmental level. In 2014, more than 38 million tons of food were thrown away in the …
- Posted May 11, 2017
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Simon Fraser University’s Zero Waste Initiative
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
SFU was one of the first universities to implement a standardized, 4-stream Zero Waste system (including composting) uniformly across all three of its campuses, each of which lies in a …
- Posted May 9, 2017
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CING, CSMM and the Municipality of Saint Dometios joined forces with Let’s Do it Cyprus to clean two local parks!
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics
The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) and its postgraduate school, the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine (CSMM) together with the local Municipal Council of Saint Dometios in Nicosia, …
- Posted May 9, 2017
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Proposal for Implementation of an E-Receipt System and Non-Toxic Compostable Receipt Paper at UMass Dining Facilities
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
For our junior year writing course, we were given the assignment to write a proposal to fix something on campus. As students passionate about sustainability, our group elected to improve …
- Posted May 8, 2017
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Using emoticons to encourage students to recycle
- Boston University (MA)
Uncovering inexpensive, simple techniques to encourage students to act in a pro-environmental manner is of critical importance. Through a four-week field study at a large, environmentally focused elementary school, it …
- Posted May 8, 2017
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University of California, Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Three: Why your old phones collect in a junk drawer of sadness
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the third episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted May 4, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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University at Buffalo-Sustainability Month 2017
- University at Buffalo (NY)
At UB, Earth Day is celebrated all month, with dozens of sustainability events highlighting our commitment to critical issues like climate neutrality and publicly funded science.
- Posted May 3, 2017
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Cal Poly SLO Earth Week
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
Cal Poly hosted a variety of events for Earth Week.
- Posted May 3, 2017
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University of California Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Two: Going green shouldn't be this hard
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the second episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainable Un-building
- DePauw University (IN)
Students, faculty, staff, and Greencastle community members were invited to participate in the event “Unbuilding: Sustainable Deconstruction and ‘Give-Away’ at DePauw’s Campus Farm House.” During Winter Term, students began the …
- Posted April 28, 2017
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EcoChallenge 2017 Winner Dinner
- Berea College (KY)
Each year, Berea College hosts the EcoChallenge, a competition among residence halls on campus to increase the amount of recycling produced by each student. In 2017, the factor of participation …
- Posted April 28, 2017
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Cork drink coaster
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Penn State Green Teams member Amber Redman is creating a drink coaster made from wine bottle corks at an event during Penn State’s multi-week Earth Day(s) 2017 celebration. Photo by …
- Posted April 27, 2017
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T-shirt bags
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Penn State Green Teams members Barbara Taylor and Ashli Baker are making reusable cloth bags from cotton t-shirts at an event during Penn State’s multi-week Earth Day(s) 2017 celebration. Photo …
- Posted April 27, 2017
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Shred Right Recycling Event
- Western Technical College (WI)
Students and community members brought 1,500 lbs of paper for shredding. The shredded material is recylced and made into low-quality paper products like paper towel. Since the event is also …
- Posted April 27, 2017
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SMCC STEMS Club Earth Day Event
- South Mountain Community College (AZ)
This semester the STEMS club successfully built a bike charging station, built and flew racing drones, grew flowers in the greenhouse and are composting landscape waste. It was a great …
- Posted April 27, 2017
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Fredonia Electronics Recycling Day April 22 2017
- State University of New York at Fredonia (NY)
The State University of New York at Fredonia hosted the Annual Electronics Recycling day on April 22, 2017. This event is free to the public.
- Posted April 27, 2017
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Sustainable Fashion Show
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
During our Earth Day event, students made their own outfits made from recycled materials, and were entered into a fashion show.
- Posted April 27, 2017
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Dumpster Dive 2017 Western Technical College
- Western Technical College (WI)
In our efforts to raise awareness of the items that can be recycled here on our Western Technical College Campus we held a “Dumpster Dive”.
We asked our college President …
- Posted April 27, 2017
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UAB Recycling Earth Day on the Green
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
UAB Recycling Coordinator Jon Paolone explains the intricacies of products made from recycled materials - in this case, a rubber jar opener made from recycled tires & a flying disc …
- Posted April 26, 2017
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Ohio State's "Seeds of Service" brought out hundreds to clean, plant and celebrate
- The Ohio State University (OH)
As part of Ohio State University's sustainability awareness week, called "Time For Change Week 2017," students attending the "Seeds of Service" event celebrated a beautiful spring day by cleaning up …
- Posted April 26, 2017
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Ohio State University Earth Day Give-Away: Reusable Lunch Bags for students
- The Ohio State University (OH)
The Ohio State Office of Energy and Environment celebrates Earth Day by providing items to students that helps them be more sustainable. In 2017, students were given reusable lunch bags, …
- Posted April 26, 2017
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The Green Labs Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Best practices for implementing a Green Labs program into a university.
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Seattle University On-Site Composting Facility
- Seattle University (WA)
In 2002 Seattle University (SU) built a state-of-the-art, on-campus composting facility. The composting facility is a unique, sustainable, closed-loop system that processes pre-consumer food and yard waste that is produced …
- Posted April 20, 2017
- Case Studies
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SFA Dining Waste Audit
- Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
- Aramark (PA)
We conducted a waste audit in our Dining Halls to see how much food we waste!
- Posted April 11, 2017
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Using Model-Based Reasoning and Experiential Learning to Understand and Improve Sustainability in a Campus Food System
- Warren Wilson College (NC)
- AASHE (MA)
The webinar describes an introductory sustainability course at Warren Wilson College that explores the campus food system. Warren Wilson College has a sustainable dining policy and has adopted the Real …
- Posted April 7, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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A Behavioral Approach to the Development of a Campus-Wide Recycling System
- Western Michigan University (MI)
This article describes efforts to establish a more effective campus-wide recycling system at Western Michigan University. A study was designed as a continuation of an established line of behavioral recycling …
- Posted March 1, 2017
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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
- Total waste generated per weighted campus user, performance year
- Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline
- Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator
- Waste-related behavior change initiatives
- Waste auditing efforts
- Website URL - waste minimization and diversion efforts
OP 19: Construction & Demolition Waste Diversion
- Percentage of construction and demolition materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator
- Website URL - construction & demolition waste diversion efforts
OP 20: Hazardous Waste Management
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.