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
Building a Resilient Recycling Operation Against Market Forces, Financial Pressures, & Contamination Developments
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
Recycling rates had plateaued. By 2016, even with the best of internal marketing and operational changes, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was left to the devices of a decentralized collection and …
- Posted May 4, 2020
- Case Studies
- View more
“Box to Farm to Compost”: A Paradigm Shift from an Extractive Culture to Regenerative Culture
- Iowa State University (IA)
As a land grant university with a student population of over 30,000 students and about 6000 faculty and staff, there are enormous packaging items that make its way to campus …
- Posted May 1, 2020
- Case Studies
- View more
Pay As You Throw: Testing a New Waste Reduction Strategy at Yale University
- Yale University (CT)
In the spring of 2019, Yale launched a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) pilot program, the first of its kind among American institutions of higher education. From inception to development …
- Posted April 17, 2020
- Case Studies
- View more
Reuse in Action: Repair Fairs
- Carleton College (MN)
- AASHE (MA)
A Repair Fair is a match-making event that pairs items needing fixed with volunteer repairers or “fixers” to attempt to repair anything from bikes to clothing, to electronics. The Carleton …
- Posted April 16, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Creating a Sustainable and Engaging Food Waste Recycling Program
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)
- AASHE (MA)
This presentation will focus on The CGCC Food Waste Recycling Project, an ongoing campus-wide collaborative project that offers deep, cross-disciplinary, experiential student learning via an innovative solution for CGCC’s food …
- Posted April 9, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Campus sustainability: An integrated model of college students’ recycling behavior on campus
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Proposing an integrated model based on multiple theoretical approaches, such as the theory of planned behavior, the model of goal-directed behavior and self-determination theory, the purpose of this paper is …
- Posted March 4, 2020
- Publications
- View more
Sequestering Carbon: Using Campus Wood to Make Carbon-Capturing Furniture and Items
- Western Michigan University (MI)
The Living Woodshop, run by the Office for Sustainability at Western Michigan University, has been designed as a partnership with the Facilities Management department to reuse lumber on campus. Wood …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2020
- Case Studies
- View more
Webinar: Closing the Loop: Connecting Class to Campus Sustainability with Cases
- University of Michigan (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
- Sustainability Curriculum Consortium (MD)
This webinar will discuss how multimedia, case-based learning can be used to better engage and inform students regarding sustainability-related efforts on campus and create opportunities to build upon their projects …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Frederickson Court Trial Compost System
- Iowa State University (IA)
With a campus compost facility already in operation, Iowa State University’s Compost Team sought to utilize the facility in more places around campus. The team identified Frederickson (Freddy) Court, a …
- Posted Feb. 3, 2020
- Case Studies
- View more
Webinar: Innovation in Cleaning for Custodians and Students
- Stanford University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
Stanford University’s Residential and Dining Enterprises has adopted a green cleaning standard that has reduced chemical usage in residences by over 90%. The system engineers water by infusing it with …
- Posted Dec. 12, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Bringing the Circular Economy to Research
- Rheaply, Inc (IL)
It is estimated that 2% of the world's global plastic waste is linked to laboratory waste- some 6 million tons of waste annually. Given the the existing tools available to …
- Posted Dec. 6, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Leading with Circular Economy Concepts, Business Cases and Tools
- Stanford University (CA)
- Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. (WA)
- Interface, Inc (GA)
A circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources. This regenerative approach (in contrast to the traditional linear economy, which has a …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
What Links Climate Change, Biodiversity, Water, and Food Systems? Population
- Bellevue College (WA)
- Center for Biological Diversity (AZ)
Human population growth is a main driver of environmental degradation. According to Dr. Wynes (2017) in 'The climate mitigation gap: education and government recommendations miss the most effective individual actions' …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
What is Old is New Again: Establishing a Free Store in an Urban Environment
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
During the 2018-2019 academic year, VCU increased tuition by 6.4%. This increase in tuition was unavoidable and was the highest within the state of Virginia. Concurrent with this, VCU purchased …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC) Membership Meeting
- University of South Carolina (SC)
Members and non-members alike are invited to join this annual CURC membership meeting. Board members will provide organizational updates, discuss current projects and share opportunities to get involved. The meeting …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Zero Waste - Rethinking Definitions and Metrics
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
The University of California has been undertaking a process of rethinking how we define and measure zero waste. Previous targets had been based on diversion rates; however, we have recently …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Reuse Makes a Comeback: How to Bring the Circular Economy to Asset Management
- Rheaply, Inc (IL)
Reduce, reuse, recycle. The mantra is ingrained in us from our early childhood, but the attention naturally goes to the first and last R - like a lost middle child. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Bringing Buildings on Board
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Resource Recovery conducts weekly audits with student interns, analyzing office and classroom building waste to paint a picture of over 18,000,000 square feet of campus building space. We'll share how …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Zero Waste Versus Energy Conservation: We Can Have Both
- The Ohio State University (OH)
A recent audit of Ohio State's waste stream found that 10% of our total waste was from used paper towels. In order to address that huge amount, Ohio State's Facilities …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Recycling Signage Study Group
- Penn State Harrisburg (PA)
- Busch Systems International Inc. (ON)
We know recycling and waste bin signage influences whether people sort items correctly. The question is, what combination of words and images is most effective? The goal of this networking …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Designing Signage to Influence Recycling Behavior
- Penn State Harrisburg (PA)
- Busch Systems International Inc. (ON)
In the face of static diversion rates and pressure to reduce contamination, many schools are experimenting with different bin signage to see what best influences recycling behavior. How do people …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Implementing Composting at Eureka College: Challenges and Successes of Small Campus Composting
- Eureka College (IL)
Composting systems are slowly becoming a common addition to college and university dining halls and facilities operations across the country, yet smaller campuses with fewer resources face unique challenges in …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Plan for A Zero-Waste Earlham
- Earlham College (IN)
This research focused on waste streams at Earlham; specifically, we looked at how to reduce the amount of waste produced on campus and how to improve diversion from landfills. A …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC) Campus Recycling Workshop
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Clemson University (SC)
The annual CURC Workshop provides opportunities for attendees to network with Campus Recyclers from around the country, hear presentations from and interact with national experts, and participate in roundtable discussions …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
True Zero Waste - The Last 10%
- College of Charleston (SC)
- Medical University of South Carolina (SC)
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington (NC)
- Eco-Products (CO)
By many definitions, achieving Zero Waste requires a 90% diversion rate of all discarded materials from being land-filled or incinerated. Diverting the last 10% is complex, challenging, and potentially costly. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
On-Campus Composting: How to Start, Evolve, and Overcome Challenges
- Colorado State University (CO)
- Fort Lewis College (CO)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- St. John's University, New York (NY)
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Is your campus considering starting an on-site composting program, but doesn't know where to start or which system to choose? Or does your campus want to evolve its program or …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Closed-Loop Mechanical Recycling of Polylactic Acid Filament in 3D Printing Labs
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
3D Printing has furthered innovation at UC Berkeley by providing access to new research methods and tools. However, considering the benefits of 3D printing, the large amount of plastic waste …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
EcoCoin Program as an Effective Alternative to Banning Plastic Bags
- University of Connecticut (CT)
On a small scale, localized bans and ordinances against single use plastic bags present many challenges: How will it impact local businesses' bottom line? Will customers go elsewhere? Who enforces …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Economy in Labs: I2SL's Landfill Diversion Working Group Pursues Upstream Dysfunction
- Emory University (GA)
- University of Georgia (GA)
Researcher time is for research! Join us in calling for upstream innovations to build a circular economy and protect valuable scholar time! Achieving sustainability in laboratory settings with regard to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Our Community Composting Project
- University of Louisville (KY)
The University of Louisville Community Composting Project has been creating compost with and for the community for the past ten years. Sourcing our organic material from local coffee shops, restaurants, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Worm Poop Creates Sustainable Economy!
- University of Louisville (KY)
After almost fifteen years of trying to turn worm poop into sustainable community and economy, the good news is that this is possible. It's a good deal of work, though, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
MOVING to Zero Waste: Diverting from Res Hall Move-Out Using Community Resources and Partnerships
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Residence halls across the United States struggle with the amount of waste that is left behind by students when they leave for the summer, particularly at large, midwestern research institutions. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Outdoor Waste Receptacle Removal: A Creative Approach to Waste Management
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Institutions across the country have found success in strategically phasing out outdoor waste receptacles and focusing their waste efforts on the management of indoor waste streams. Though perhaps counterintuitive to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Weigh the Waste: Assessing Food Waste at Winthrop University
- Winthrop University (SC)
Food waste makes up nearly half of all municipal solid waste produced in the United States. EPA estimates that 40% of all food produced for human consumption is wasted. The …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Raising Food Waste Awareness in Residential Halls - Michigan State University
- Michigan State University (MI)
A large factor in creating a more sustainable economy will come from changes in human behavior with an effort to live more sustainability. Part of this change will be individuals …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Clean Plates at State-Raising Food Waste Awareness in Residential Halls at Michigan State University
- Michigan State University (MI)
Clean Plates at State is a food waste audit conducted in all nine residential dining halls on Michigan State University's campus. This program helps to put environmental sustainability into perspective …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
University of Kentucky Organic Waste Composting Pilot Project: Growing Sustainability Partnerships
- University of Kentucky (KY)
In 2019, the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, UK Dining, Aramark, UK Physical Plant (Waste, Recycling, & Grounds), and UK Sustainability began a strategic partnership …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Don't Let it Go to Waste: Three Scrappy Strategies for Managing Food Waste and Organics in Kentucky
- University of Kentucky (KY)
- University of Louisville (KY)
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
- Aramark (PA)
Food waste is all too often seen as nothing more than 'trash.' Yet capturing food waste for positive transformation can and should be a key component of campus sustainability efforts. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Closing the Loop: Connecting Education and Operations with a Food Waste Dehydrator Project
- Western Technical College (WI)
In October 2018, in order to meet our sustainability goals and provide relevant connections to coursework in several of our program areas, Western Technical College student government and the facilities …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fighting Irish, Fighting Food Waste: Converting Food Waste into Energy at Notre Dame
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
Nearly 40% of all food in the United States goes uneaten, and 95% of all wasted food winds up in the landfill. At Notre Dame, food and hospitality is a …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Social Sustainability at NAU: Implementing Menstrual Cups on Campus
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
This presentation describes an initiative carried out in Spring of 2019 at Northern Arizona University (NAU) that made free menstrual cups available to the NAU student body. The NAU Green …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Pursuing Zero Waste Goals Through Student-Led Projects
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Implementing a closed loop waste processing system at University of California, Berkeley is of high priority to achieving the campus' and the larger UC system's goal of reaching Zero Waste …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Zero Waste
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
This is a meetup for all students, staff, companies, and professionals that are working on campus Zero Waste efforts. Whether you're helping your campus achieve Zero Waste goals, or focusing …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Proven Upstream Funding Model for Waste Management from the University of Kentucky
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The University of Kentucky funds several of its materials management programs by charging all university accounts a disposal fee each time they purchase materials and supplies. This system has been …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Planning for Zero Waste and Beyond
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Stanford University (CA)
- Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. (WA)
Zero waste has been the ultimate goal for many campus recycling and sustainability departments for the last two decades. Stanford has made great strides towards this target, increasing its landfill …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Piloting a Pay-As-You-Throw Program at an Institution of Higher Education
- Yale University (CT)
In January 2019, Yale University launched a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) pilot program, the first of its kind at an institution of higher education within the United States. PAYT …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Game Changer: How Recyclemania Caused Lasting Change in Facilities
- University of Houston (TX)
Participation in Recyclemania, a yearly recycling competition between campuses, has become fairly standard in the world of higher education sustainability efforts. While the competition itself is great for awareness building, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Driving Zero Waste Programming with Data in Dorms and Dining at Stanford
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford is on the path to zero waste by 2030. Stanford's Residential & Dining Enterprises represents one-third of the campus where over 12,000 students live and eat. In this workshop …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Promoting Sustainable Behavior Through the use of Personal Recycling Bins in Residential Halls
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
College campuses provide a unique stage for waste diversion and sustainability efforts, especially in on campus housing. As students from all over the nation and world come and go from …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Small Changes Make a Big Impact: Sustainability Matters with Today's Students
- Boxed Water is Better (MI)
In today's environment, there is more discussion than ever about sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic and single-use aluminium. However, there is even more confusion about what steps each of us …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- 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.