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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Revamping Your University Waste and Recycling Program
- Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) (MI)
Creating sustainable waste and recycling operations throughout large universities is a daunting task as you deal with a variety of audiences and system users. This task can be especially challenging …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Trashformation: Creating Sustainable, Collaborative Campus Communities Through Interactive Art and Education
- RuckusRoots, Inc. (CA)
This presentation describes an innovative co-curricular event that engages students in a collaborative, creative process focused on sustainability. Trashformation is an interactive and educational art experience in which students collaborate …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Adopting the "Swamp": Creating a Sense of Ownership through a Litter Prevention and Maintenance Program
- University of Florida (FL)
The University of Florida campus provides a beautiful collegiate atmosphere for students, staff and faculty to study and learn. Amidst the over 900 buildings housed on campus are numerous ecologically …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Resource Recovery Pilot: A Recycling Rehab
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Although the recycling rates have been slowly increasing over the past few years, we are not satisfied with the current rate and began to look for new ways to jump-start …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Does Your Campus Recycling Program Need Recharging?
- University of Missouri (MO)
According to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, universities throughout the country have expanded their recycling efforts contributing to an 11.5 percent decrease in overall campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Football Gamedays: Maximizing recycling and awareness
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
The University of Notre Dame Gameday Recycling program is in its fifth season and has met with substantial success as well as many challenges. Each year various strategies have been …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Successful Composting-University of Tennessee-A Collaborative Compost Partnership-ARAMARK Volunteer Dining
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
The food service industry produces large amounts of food during daily production. Although food service businesses strive to create minimal amounts of waste, items such as lemon peels, apple cores, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Can UCompost?: Research and development of a residential composting program for college campuses
- Ursinus College (PA)
Food waste can be a significant component of the waste stream at colleges and universities and could entirely avoid disposal in landfills with proper composting systems in place. Several colleges/universities …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Move Out: Creation of a campus-wide infrastructure designed to curb waste through reuse and responsible processing
- Ursinus College (PA)
Effective waste reduction and management are primary challenges towards achieving sustainability. Colleges and universities across the country grapple with such issues at the end of each academic year, as large …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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EcoMug™ History and Continued Program Evaluation
- Western Michigan University (MI)
The EcoMug™ program began in 2009. It is, as far as we know, an unprecedented waste reduction initiative. During the first few weeks of school, each incoming student is given …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Zero Waste Campus
- University of Ottawa (ON)
Whether it is a single-stream or multipart recycling system, the staple environmental achievement for a post-secondary institution is typically its tailored recycling program. The success of a waste diversion program …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Utilizing a Community Partnership to Distribute Mattresses in the Community
- Elon University (NC)
With hundreds of lightly used mattresses to remove from campus, the university took the opportunity to partner with a community non-profit organization to keep them out of the landfill and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Sustainability as a Driver of Social Justice
- Harvard University (MA)
- Rio Salado College (AZ)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
- Better World Books (GA)
Oftentimes, we think of our sustainability efforts independent of social justice.
This panel will discuss innovative ideas for combining recycling while funding social justice initiatives. The panelists, representing both private …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The impact of "No Impact Week" in ENVS 101
- Denison University (OH)
The syllabus for ENVS 101 (People and the Environment) at Denison University typically involves the examination of issues like climate change, food security, impacts of agriculture, water quality and scarcity, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Protecting the Climate and Reducing Waste through Campus Paper Policies
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
The RePaper Project, a project of the Environmental Paper Network, recently
released a new resource that complements the theme of conference. "Paper
Steps on Campus: Nine Steps to Protecting the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Office Supply Tote Program
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
The University of Notre Dame has partnered with Office Depot to launch the first reusable Tote Program in the Midwest and only the second in the nation. The majority of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Implementing and Studying an Innovative University Food Waste Reduction Program
- Loyola Marymount University (CA)
This session will describe the processes of planning, implementing, and studying an innovative food waste reduction program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). With the challenges of limited space and the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Who's Responsible for My Waste?
- Missouri University of Science and Technology (MO)
Changing behavior requires a change of attitude. A change of attitude requires awareness and recognizing the need to change.
Why should I empty my own trash can? We pay people …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Collaborating for success: Developing a Recycling Program in the Middle East
- Hamad bin Khalifa University (Ad Dawhah)
Qatar Foundation is an organization focused on building capacity for the State of Qatar and the Arabian Gulf region. It accomplishes this goal by supporting a higher education campus called …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Composting in the Residence Halls: Stories of the Worm-keepers
- Luther College (IA)
Luther students have started disposing of fruit and vegetable waste in worm composting bins installed Jan. 15 in seven of Luther's residence halls by students from the Luther Sustainability program. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Community Partnerships for Sustainable Materials Management
- Harvard University (MA)
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Ohio University (OH)
- University of Oregon (OR)
Can campuses help our neediest neighbors and reduce greenhouse gas at the same time? Yes we can. This session will offer several examples of how schools partner with other non-profit …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Commitments, Actions & Economics: Managed Print Services
- Cleveland State University (OH)
- FirstMetrix Corporation (OH)
- Xerox Corporation (MN)
Cleveland State University committed to a goal of developing, designing and implementing an enterprise wide document output strategy that is consistent with the Unviersity's mission and commitment to environmental stewardship, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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CHEFS: Advancing the Carbon Footprinting of Food in North America
- New York University (NY)
- Aramark (PA)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Dining plays a central role in campus life, as has been reflected in a plethora of recent dining-related initiatives—from trayless cafeterias to composting to community gardens on campus. A perennial …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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4 Rs: Residents Reduce, Re-use, & Recycle
- University of Wyoming (WY)
The main goal for our presentation is to educate and inform attendees that young adults are leading the way on the UW campus in recycling, reducing and re-using. This discussion …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Improved Methods for Measuring the Efficacy of Waste Diversion Programs
- Western Colorado University (CO)
Campus recycling and other waste diversion programs have been growing rapidly over the past several decades. However, surprisingly little empirical evidence exists for assessing the efficacy of these programs in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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It Won't Decay, Don't Throw It Away!
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Building on the success of an electronic waste collection campaign the previous year, Indiana University organizers expanded the planning, promotion and implementation of the 2010 Electronic Waste Collection Days to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fostering Sustainable Development: Nova Scotia Waste Resource Management Institute
- Acadia University (NS)
A Waste Resource Management Institute(WRMI) is in development at Acadia University. Created in partnership with Nova Scotia Community College, Nova Scotia Department of the Environment and EduNova, the Institute will …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Tailgating: Generating Sustainable Team Spirit!
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
The "greening" of university football game "tailgating" events and athletic competitions, which are known to generate literally tons of bottles and cans as well as waste, continues to spread, resulting …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Moving to Single Stream Recycling
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
Moving to Single Stream Recycling
Eastern Connecticut State University was an early signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, (ACUPCC). In accordance with the President's Climate Commitment, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Create a Diversion
- Emory University (GA)
Eliminating landfill addiction at a University takes more than wishful thinking. At the University, it took the vision of the Boards of Trustees, the focus of the Office of Sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Garnet & Gold Goes Green: Expanding on FSU's gameday recycling program
- Florida State University (FL)
Garnet & Gold Goes Green (G4) provides Florida State University fans the opportunity to recycle their beverage containers with the intention of decreasing the large amounts of waste and litter …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Got stuff? Chuck it for Charity: A student move out collection initiative
- Florida State University (FL)
Each spring over 6,000 Florida State University on-campus residents move out of the residence halls, leaving behind tons of unwanted "stuff" that is usually sent directly to the landfill. Chuck …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Food Composting on Campus: Opportunities for Leadership for Sustainability
- Kean University (NJ)
According to a feature story in The Chronicle of Higher Education, "with great fanfare, universities are trumpeting their efforts to make society more equitable and environmentally healthy." An important question …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Engaging in reuse: Design & implementation of a student swap shop
- Meredith College (NC)
Meredith College, a small women's institution in Raleigh, North Carolina called for a campus swap shop as one of its long-term waste reduction strategies. This presentation details the planning, design …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Dialogue and Discussion on Collegiate Zero Waste Principles
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Zero waste represents a new means of elevating sustainability education and student leadership development and two zero waste experts are excited to help advance a set of principles for higher …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Move Out Madness - End of Year Waste Reduction and Donations
- University of Guelph (ON)
There's so much going on, it's Madness! Learn the details of a successful program designed to capture useful stuff left behind by students in undergraduate residences and in off-campus rental …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Garbage on the Green Creates Recycling Awareness on Campus
- University of North Florida (FL)
In a campaign to create awareness about waste reduction and recycling, the University of North Florida Environmental Center created Garbage on the Green. This all day event incorporates an exhibitor …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lean and Green
- University of Oklahoma (OK)
The University of Oklahoma Lean Institute has recently launched a new training and certification program that applies techniques from Lean Manufacturing as tools for environmental conservation and sustainability. Since one …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lessons from the Heap: Five Years of Move-Out Reuse Efforts
- Yale University (CT)
Inspired by increasing global demand for sustainable practices, colleges and universities around the world are taking the lead in developing systems and policies that achieve a higher environmental standard. One …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Institutionalizing Zero-Waste Events
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
University events that generate the most waste tend to include food or drink. Universities, their departments, and student groups host events with food and drink for many reasons. Food and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Chuck it for Charity: FSU's student move out collection initiative
- Florida State University (FL)
Each spring over 6,000 Florida State University on-campus residents move out of the residence halls, leaving behind tons of unwanted "stuff" that is usually sent directly to the landfill. Chuck …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Garnet & Gold Goes Green: FSU's game day recycling program
- Florida State University (FL)
Garnet & Gold Goes Green (G4) provides Florida State University fans the opportunity to recycle their beverage containers with the intention of decreasing the large amounts of waste and litter …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Wide Waste Audit
- Furman University (SC)
Diving into the Depths of the Desolate Dumpster 2.0: A Campus-Wide Waste Audit of Furman University
Erika Baldwin, Will Stallings, and Weston Dripps
Furman University, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 3300 …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Let's talk about poop!
- Furman University (SC)
This study examines the effects of the installation of pet waste bag dispenser stations on the compliance of dog owners to pick up after their pets. Our study site is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Migrating Paper Processes into SharePoint
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Our college uses SharePoint as a web platform for migrating manual paper-heavy planning processes online. Two primary examples of processes we have moved online in this way are Grant Applications …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Organic Recycling - It's Here!
- NatureWorks (GA)
Noting the growing success of food waste diversion and composting, NatureWorks LLC(www.natureworksllc.com) and one of its key partners (R3/Bunzl Distribution) will showcase commercial success of organic recycling (or composting) in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Drink Local, Drink Tap: Turning On a New Campus Water Culture
- Pacific University (OR)
The privatized water industry has subtly grown during the past few decades, establishing itself in American culture as the sole source for clean drinking water. Most consumers are unaware that …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Food Rescue
- Pacific University (OR)
Food Rescue is a student-initiated food donation program that works to diminish food waste and redistribute leftovers from Pacific University campus events and dining hall meals to local community shelters …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University of California, Berkeley Recycling and Waste Receptacles Redesign
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The University of California at Berkeley (UCB) adopted the goal of diverting 50% of its waste by June 30, 2008. This goal was met primarily because a large quantity of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Ralphies Green Stampede: Innovative Zero Waste Events at CU-Boulder
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
In 2008, Folsom Field became the first major sports stadium in the nation, professional or collegiate, to collect all materials in recycling or compost containers, eliminate trash cans and transform …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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.