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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
E-Waste and a Smart(er) Triple Bottom Line: Campus Electronic Waste Management, Natural Security User Challenges & Social Media Opportunities
- Maryville College (TN)
Mobile 'smart' phone electronic (E) waste remains among the fastest growing waste streams in the United States and the world. North American Colleges and Universities need to refocus their campus-wide …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Closed-Loop 3D Printing
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago (IL)
For my AASHE art installation I will screen an instructional video which describes the process of creating a sculpture using recycled 3D printing filament. The film will demonstrate preparing, shredding, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
New Play Development Utilizing Digital Paper
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
In professional MFA Playwriting programs across the country, tens of thousands of pages of paper are printed and discarded each week. Developing writers need to hear their scripts read aloud, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
All About No Waste: Using Pop Culture to Engage Students in Sustainability
- Stanford University (CA)
Each year, Stanford University competes against hundreds of universities in RecycleMania, a national competition to increase recycling and composting and reduce waste on campus. Headed into the ninth year of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
UC Berkeley Plastic Disclosure Project
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP) at UC Berkeley discloses the campus' plastic footprint, making it the first University to publicly reveal this information. The objectives of PDP is to measure, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cultivating a Zero Waste Culture on Campus
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
In 2014, UC Berkeley was at 48% waste diversion, well behind the UC wide goal of Zero Waste by 2020. We are just coming to the tipping point where we …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Integrating Composting and Recycling in University of California Berkeley Residence Halls
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Achieving Zero Waste at any college campus is riddled with obstacles and push back. The campus residence halls offer a huge opportunity to capitalize on reducing campus generated waste and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Waste Minimization Pilot Projects at the University of Denver
- University of Denver (CO)
In this case study, I will go over the successes and failures of student run pilot projects. As a student, I have experienced what is needed to make a pilot …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Growing a Successful RecycleMania Campaign
- University of Iowa (IA)
RecycleMania has grown at the University of Iowa from a quiet program in 2013 and a 5th place finish in the Big Ten to a well-known time of the year …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
College & University Recycling Coalition Annual Business Meeting
- University of Oregon (OR)
The annual business meeting of the College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC) is open to all conference attendees. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about what CURC has been …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Waste and Nutrition: Food Waste Auditing Combined with Vermicomposting for Applied Nutrition and Sustainability Education.
- University of Utah (UT)
Many Nutrition and Dietetic graduate students end up working in field such as Nutrition Therapy and Medical Nutrition Therapy where they are in hospital and/or care settings, working as clinician …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
In-Room Composting at Seattle University
- Seattle University (WA)
Presentation will cover the the process of implementing an in-room composting system that includes all student residence rooms. It will start with the collecting pre-consumer food waste in the University …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Lessons Learned from Eco Move Out – Discover what works and what doesn’t
- University of Alberta (AB)
Five thousand students’ cycle in and out of the University of Alberta’s (UAlberta) residences every year, and the material waste created and costs associated with this cycle are large. Co-hosted …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Is My Recycling Bin Full? Yep, there’s an App for that.
- University of Puget Sound (WA)
While technology is allowing for greater expediency and efficiency of recycling operations; one area that is in most need of a technological upgrade is our ability to know when a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Getting Trashy: Measurable Pilot Projects to Identify Best Practices
- University of Denver (CO)
Pilot projects targeting increased diversion rates are a direct means of engaging the community, determining best practices, and driving change through measurable results. At the University of Denver, we launched …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Our Story of Stuff: Sharing “waste” with a campus Free Store
- University of Louisville (KY)
Like many large, urban universities with a residential population, the University of Louisville (UofL) has faced two major challenges at the heart of sustainability: an over-abundance of discarded, useful items …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Trash Talks: revealing the potential of a building’s waste stream
- Portland State University (OR)
My case study will examine how a day’s waste from a single dumpster can be used to provoke art and design students into discussion and multilateral thinking about how choice …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
AUN Sustainable Waste Management with Municipal Waste Reuse
- American University of Nigeria (Adamawa,)
The American University of Nigeria drives sustainable waste management with participatory municipal waste reuse program The Office of Sustainability at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) drives sustainable waste management …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building Community Partnerships to Promote Sustainable Waste Practices
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DF)
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus León
As part of a research project run by the Sustainability department at the Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad León (ENES), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico, professors …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Standardizing building infrastructure to increase service efficiency and waste diversion
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Since 2008 the University of Washington has been implementing its MiniMax program. What started out simply as a self-service, desk-side waste and recycling collection program to raise awareness about personal …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Working Together To Fight Hunger and Waste
- Bon Appétit Management Company
- Food Recovery Network (MD)
Every day students are asking more of the university around them and it can be difficult for dining service providers to know how to address requests. Whether it be for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Waste management and recycling at the National University of Mexico
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DF)
The National Autonomous University of México (UNAM) as part of one of the world’s largest cities faces a number of problems related to the generation, management and the physical capacity …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Innovation & Partnership for Landfill Waste Diversion
- Emory University (GA)
Creativity, innovation, and partnership are essential for successful campus waste minimization and landfill diversion efforts. A series of collaborative efforts have recently emerged in order to work towards meeting Emory …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Composting in the Real World
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Since 2007, incremental successes have taken our campus food composting weights from 0 to 419 tons, increasing every year! The Pittsburgh region food composting initiative started with stakeholder food audits …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Redefining the Norms of Waste Management Through Behavioral Changes
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
The UC-wide goal of Zero Waste by 2020 continues to encourage campuses to increase their waste diversion practices. At UCSB, we believe that we need to gain a better understanding …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Evolution of Zero Waste in a Retail Food Court
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- Aramark (PA)
The objective of UC Irvine’s Zero Waste Food Court Pilot Program is to expand practices from campus residential dining locations to Phoenix Food Court as a model for additional retail …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Repair Fairs: Promoting waste reduction in community involvement
- Oregon State University (OR)
One of the largest challenges in engaging students in sustainability is creating meaningful experiences. Encouraging students to practice reuse is particularly challenging, as it requires a personal commitment. Likewise, educating …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Implementing a Student-Led Move-Out Waste Program: UMass Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
For the last year, UMass Amherst has been partnering with a newly-formed nonprofit organization, The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN), to launch a student-led move-out waste collection and resale program. PLAN’s …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Effects of Behavioral Signage on Dormitory Recycling Rates
- Boston University (MA)
Data shows that pairing recycling and trash containers leads to higher recycling rates. However, many older buildings do not have space for more than a trash container, especially in residential …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Give & Go Move-Out Donation Program: Multifaceted Student Outreach Campaign
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford’s newly revamped and rebranded Give & Go Move Out donation program in R&DE Student Housing has dramatically reduced the waste stream sent to landfills at the end of the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Waste Watching - Examining Metrics and Efficient Material Use
- American University (DC)
- Harvard University (MA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
- University of Florida (FL)
This panel discussion will focus on addressing the importance of metrics as they relate to waste management, with a specific focus on tracking, analyzing, and utilizing waste data to improve …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
It’s hard to play the game, if you don’t know the score
- Purdue University (IN)
- Re-TRAC (MB)
Quality data is critical to measuring performance – after all, how do you know how well you’re performing if you don’t know where you started? Universities and colleges across North …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Students & Climate Change Intervention: Investment Office Insights
- University of British Columbia (BC)
- Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (NY)
Focused on campuses with the intention of mobilizing student activists, late in 2012 a "divest from fossil fuel" campaign was begun. Most faith and values-driven institutional investors were attentive to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Consumer-Free, Zero Waste Year
- American University (DC)
- University of Florida (FL)
Joseph Floyd (University of Florida) decided to live one year consumer-free and zero waste. Following the 2013 AASHE Conference, Natalia Posthill (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Helen …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Post Consumer Composting at the University of Florida: A Partnership Between ARAMARK, WCA and the University of Florida
- University of Florida (FL)
- WCA (TX)
Overview: As part of its goal to be zero waste by 2015, the University of Florida developed a comprehensive organics composting solution to address almost 25% of the total campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Innovation and Materials Management in Portland: The CES Model
- Portland State University (OR)
Many organizations are taking a more strategic approach towards managing the waste they generate. Driven by the opportunity to improve environmental and economic performance, they are prioritizing their waste stream …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Teaching and Learning for a Zero Waste Future
- DePauw University (IN)
The global materials economy is a fundamental driver of all of our most serious and urgent crises: climate change, toxic pollution, biodiversity loss, poverty, and injustice. This economic system rests …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Harnessing student enthusiasm through a Waste Reduction Task Force
- Portland State University (OR)
Portland State University’s Waste Reduction Task Force is a student-led initiative that seeks to redefine the way PSU’s campus community looks at trash. Through partnering with strategic departments and organizations …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Composting
- Southwestern University (TX)
Southwestern University students led a composting initiative in Fall 2011 which has evolved into a campus wide program which has made a significant impact on the community and University. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Order Matters: Waste Audits and Bin Configurations
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Before you can get to zero waste, you need to know what your waste stream is composed of. The best way to do this is through waste audits. This presentation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Turning Trash into Cash: The USD Electronics Recycling Center
- University of San Diego (CA)
As technology continues to advance, consumers continue to buy new electronics, but where can they properly dispose older electronics? The University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center serves as a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Waste Diversion and Evolution on Campus: Preparing for the Upcoming MA Organics Waste Ban
- Boston University (MA)
Boston University Dining Services began diverting food waste in 2008. This presentation will discuss the evolution of food waste diversion on campus as well as how we are preparing for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Working on Waste at the Kwantlen Student Association
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University (BC)
The Kwantlen Student Association completed a student led waste audit of our student owned and run GrassRoots Cafe and main offices in early 2014. After the waste audit we have …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating a visual identity system to improve waste diversion rates
- Lehigh University (PA)
Among institutions of higher education dedicated to sustainability, there is often a struggle to significantly reduce waste generated on campus and reduce contamination rates in waste diversion streams. Lehigh University …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cafeteria to Community: Reducing Waste and Feeding the Hungry
- Luther College (IA)
This poster will illustrate a program that simultaneously reduces food waste from Luther College’s cafeteria while providing needed food assistance to hungry families in the surrounding community. The Cafeteria to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Story of Reuse at Michigan State University
- Michigan State University (MI)
With so much focus on recycling, many organizations might forget the true value of reusing and redeploying products. The reuse operation at Michigan State University creates opportunity to manage cost …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Time is money: accounting for the true cost of a campus waste initiative
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Universities across the country are developing and implementing campus sustainability initiatives. Such initiatives may be designed to save money or reduce waste, or they may have more intangible goals related …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Zero waste as a supply chain challenge: the importance of partnerships
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
This presentation will discuss the successes and challenges of Penn State’s initiative to move its Athletics facilities toward zero waste, and the story of how silos had to be broken …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Zero Waste Events: A Sustainable Approach to Event Planning
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
UC Berkeley established a goal to achieve zero waste by the year 2020. To achieve this goal, more materials must be diverted from the landfill through recycling and composting. In …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
To Know Your Building, Know Your Waste: The Importance of Waste Audits
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
More and more institutions across the country are establishing Zero Waste goals. One of the problems with this is that many people don’t know what their waste is, so they …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.