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

1149 resources

NC State University Students Leverage Partnerships To Eliminate Plastic Bags on Campus

  • North Carolina State University (NC)

Over a three-year period, the NC State Stewards collaborated with the university’s Campus Enterprises division to move toward the elimination of single-use plastic bags in the most wasteful locations ...


UMass New2U Reuse Collection and Tag Sale

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)

New2U is a student-led program that is in its 3rd year of operation. New2U collects unwanted items from across campus each spring during move-out and resells these collected item each ...


Warriors Don’t Waste: Improving the Waste Stream at Eastern Connecticut State University.

  • Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)

In early 2015 Eastern’s Green Campus Committee started to tackle the major initiative of improving the campus waste stream. In taking on this project the committee knew that there ...


Implementing sustainability education with undergraduate business courses, A case study

  • Alfred State College (NY)

The purpose of this submission is to discuss experiential learning related to strategic management and environmental sustainability. The paper outlines one case of implementing project-based sustainability education within the BUAD ...


University of Redlands Proposal for Expanded Composting

  • University of Redlands (CA)

We are currently living in a time with inequity, economic instability and environmental degradation. The University of Redlands campus claims to be sustainable, however, we lack many forms of renewable ...


University of Redlands Proposal for Expanded Composting

  • University of Redlands (CA)

We are currently living in a time with inequity, economic instability and environmental degradation. The University of Redlands campus claims to be sustainable, however, we lack many forms of renewable ...


Earth Days 2016 at Johnson County Community College

  • Johnson County Community College (KS)

Our Earth Days 2016 events included several activities in addition to those pictured here, but these were two of our most popular. Epicenter, a one-day, student-focused conference on careers in ...


SustainableCI "What's On Your Plate" Challenge

  • California State University, Channel Islands (CA)

GIven California's drought situation, it was important to have a water themed challenge for Earth Day 2016, and using http://graphics.latimes.com/food-water-footprint/ as a reference source, "What ...


University of New Hampshire Dumpster Dive

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The “Earth Day Dumpster Dive,” was organized by the UNH Sustainability Institute and the Zero Waste Task Force and sought to examine the waste habits of the campus community in ...


Earth Day at California State University, East Bay!

  • California State University, East Bay (CA)

The Zero Waste Team was out tabling this Earth Day along with the Solar Club, GIS, ASI, the Biology Department, Transportation and Parking Services, and other organizations on campus!

  • Posted April 28, 2016
  • Photographs
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Stock Images for Waste Signs

  • Babson College (MA)

Cut-out images with transparent backgrounds of various items for use in recycling, trash, and compost informational materials.

Images created by Connie Hsu and Sheen Hui for the Babson College Sustainability ...

  • Posted April 26, 2016
  • Outreach Materials
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Food Scraps Composting on College/University Campuses: A Step-by-Step Guide

  • FOR Solutions, LLC (NJ)

In "Food Scraps Composting on College/University Campuses: A Step-by-Step Guide", you will learn:

  • How to select the proper technology for composting on your campus.

  • How to implement that technology ...

  • Posted April 25, 2016
  • Publications
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Food Scraps Composting Laboratory

  • Kean University (NJ)

Kean University in New Jersey installed a rotary drum composter to process pre and postconsumer food waste from campus dining facilities.

  • Posted April 25, 2016
  • Publications
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Recycling system at the University of Iceland

  • University of Iceland

In February 2016 changes were made to the recycling system at the University of Iceland in order to conform with the City of Reykjavík. The changes affect the blue bags ...

  • Posted April 25, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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Eco Hawks: Sustainability @ UIowa

  • University of Iowa (IA)

Climate change is the greatest issue of our time and sustainability is the solution. Here at the University of Iowa, a place that provides services to not only Iowans but ...

  • Posted April 22, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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North D Compost Pilot

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA)

After conducting a waste audit of the North Apartment Residential Complex in October of 2014, it was found that approximately 27% of the trash stream consisted of food waste and ...

  • Posted April 6, 2016
  • Case Studies
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Compendium of Organics Recovery Programs at Colleges and Universities

  • University of Louisville (KY)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

The Center for Environmental Policy and Management at the University of Louisville in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 and select southeastern U.S. schools have ...

  • Posted April 6, 2016
  • Publications
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Plastic Free Campus Manual

  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

This document will help guide you through the process of helping your campus go plastic-free. Comprised of over 60 pages worth of training, best-practices guidance, case studies and project resources ...

  • Posted March 31, 2016
  • Publications
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RecycleMania

  • Keep America Beautiful (CT)
  • College & University Recycling Coalition (DC)

RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Over an 8-week period each spring, colleges ...


Waste Reduction Model (WARM)

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

The US EPA's Waste Reduction Model (WARM) calculates and totals GHG emissions of baseline and alternative waste management practices—source reduction, recycling, combustion, composting, and landfilling. The model calculates ...


Zero Waste Database

  • College & University Recycling Coalition (DC)

The mission of this database is to create a useful, comprehensive resource for recycling and waste reduction advocates:

Baseline:  "What practices are out there?  Who and how many are doing ...


Food Recovery Verified

  • Food Recovery Network (MD)

Food Recovery Verified (FRV) is a program of Food Recovery Network that recognizes institutions, businesses and events for sending their surplus food to people, not landfills.


Zero Waste Football

  • University of Colorado Boulder (CO)

The first season of zero waste football at CU Boulder.

  • Posted March 11, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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Tailgate Waste Diversion

  • University of Southern California (CA)

USC Sustainability and Facilities Management Services are partnering to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill on campus during football tailgates. Student facilitators educate tailgaters on how to ...

  • Posted March 11, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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Ohio State University Zero Waste

  • The Ohio State University (OH)

Ohio Stadium is the largest stadium in the country to attempt zero waste; diverting 90 percent of materials from the landfill by recycling and composting. Ohio State is leading the ...

  • Posted March 11, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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All About No Waste (Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass Parody)

  • Stanford University (CA)

HELP STANFORD WIN! PLEDGE TO REDUCE YOUR WASTE

http://sustainable.stanford.edu/recyclemania

Vocals: Stephanie Fischer

Backing Vocals: Sonja Johnson-Yu and Akua Odoom

Lyrics: Mr. Eco

Video: Brian Christ Films ...

  • Posted March 3, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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Food Recovery Challenge

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

As part of EPA's Food Recovery Challenge, organizations pledge to improve their sustainable food management practices and report their results. The FRC is part of EPA's Sustainable Materials ...


Food Recovery Hierarchy

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

The Food Recovery Hierarchy prioritizes actions organizations can take to prevent and divert wasted food. Each tier of the Food Recovery Hierarchy focuses on different management strategies for your wasted ...

  • Posted March 3, 2016
  • Outreach Materials
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Zero Waste Campus Toolkit

  • University of Oregon (OR)
  • College & University Recycling Coalition (DC)

Created by the University of Oregon Zero Waste Program in partnership with College & University Recycling Coalition, this toolkit contains resources regarding the concept of Zero Waste, Zero Waste management ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Publications
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Weight-based Metrics for Zero Waste 2020: Innovations in Automation Critical to Waste Diversion

  • University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
  • Creative Microsystems Inc (WA)

In spite of its importance, diverting recovered resources continues to pose fundamental problems for campus managers. In reaction to this problem, UCSC staff have redefined the apparatus of billing and ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Composting Inside of a Greenhouse: Exploring the Benefits of an Integrated Composting/Growing Operation.

  • Green Mountain Technologies (WA)

Gustavus Adolphus College has created a unique and innovative model for integrating a commercial composting operation into a growing operation. Gustavus has installed an Earth Flow composting system from Green ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Recycling at a Higher Education Institution: Case Study of a Successful Program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City

  • University of Missouri, Kansas City (MO)

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has been offering educational programs in waste management and environmental science for about 25 years and has recently added a sustainability minor to its ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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The Road to Zero: A Tale of a Stadium Compost Pilot

  • Purdue University (IN)
  • NatureWorks (GA)

Purdue opened the South End Zone Patio area of Ross-Ade Stadium (capacity 57,236) at the beginning of the 2014 season. The Office of University Sustainability initiated a zero waste ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Nurturing the Sharing Economy on Campus

  • University of Louisville (KY)

One of the most exciting developments of recent decades is the growth of the sharing economy. Simply put, the generation of students entering college today are far less interested in ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Smart Print: Using the Cloud to Identify Waste & Excess Energy Consumption

  • University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
  • Pharos Systems International (NY)

The University of Illinois at Chicago has deployed a new, cloud-based tool to deliver a campus-wide view of their printer fleet, their users who print and the documents they print ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Stopping Food Waste at the Source: Source Reduction Strategies for Dining Services

  • Aramark (PA)

UC Irvine aims not only to divert waste from landfill through recycling and composting but to minimize waste generated. This objective supports an overall goal of Zero Waste campus-wide by ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Team Waste Reduction: Using Departmental Collaboration to Transform Your Surplus Program

  • Bowling Green State University (OH)

What do an 8 foot tall plywood cutout of the 'Lorax', a warehouse full of desks and 100 bicycles all have in common? They are all examples of surplus items ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Challenges and Triumphs at a West African University: Waste, Water, Energy Land, and New Construction

  • American University of Nigeria (Adamawa,)

Sustainability has been a high priority at the American University of Nigeria (AUN),for more than three years.The fastest progress has been in waste management; AUN was spending more ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Greening the Game at Collegiate Sports

  • University of Arizona (AZ)

Like many universities, the University of Arizona has a strong tradition of athletics at the collegiate level. While sporting events are a key component to any university and it's ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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New Research About Bin Set-Up to Increase Recycling In Offices

  • Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) (IN)
  • Keep America Beautiful (CT)

This presentation will review a new study commissioned by Keep America Beautiful that shows how the arrangement recycling and trash bins in office settings can lead to a 20% increase ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Transforming Waste Management through Upstream Strategies

  • American University (DC)
  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • Harvard University (MA)
  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Addressing upstream waste is critical to achieving zero waste, yet upstream strategies often prove most challenging or receive the least dedicated resources. This session will explore upstream strategies for dealing ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Murie Zero Waste Pilot Project

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)

Despite challenges presented by its remote location in the circumpolar north - distance from disposal networks, a harsh climate and lack of municipal infrastructure - the University of Alaska Fairbanks set a ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Do you want your receipt? How simple changes to bookstore operations reduce use of BPA and related chemicals.

  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MN)

What if even the simplest transaction at your campus bookstore could be better for employees and our environment? If your campus uses thermal paper receipts in its bookstore, library or ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Embracing the Silos: The Benefits of Disciplinary Purity in Achieving Campus Sustainability in Waste Reduction

  • University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)

Since the Great Recession, UCSC has not employed a Recycling Coordinator with the interdepartmental authority to administer the campus vision of waste reduction as planned for the campus Zero Waste ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Organizing an E-Waste Festival on Campus

  • Indiana University South Bend (IN)

E-Waste can be a serious problem for businesses and residents in a community. At Indiana University South Bend, we hold an annual E-Waste Festival that has collected over 1.25 ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Football Fans and Waste: Can Their Behavior Be Changed?

  • University of Missouri (MO)

Waste separation and diversion at sporting events is gaining more popularity because of the large amount of waste generated, the visibility of athletic events, and the goal of reaching Zero ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Foil Lined Wrapper TerraCycling

  • University of Virginia (VA)

The University of Virginia has been participating in a TerraCycle Program, more specifically the Energy Bar Wrapper Brigade, since August of last year. In general, TerraCycle programs work to reduce ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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The Food Recovery Network on college campuses: How to reduce food waste while addressing hunger within the local community

  • Carleton College (MN)

Today, 1 in 9 Minnesotans struggles with hunger. In Rice County alone, there are 1.14 million missed meals per year. But despite high rates of food insecurity throughout the ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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How Does Your Campus Talk Trash?

  • Santa Clara University (CA)

Does your campus have waste diversion initiatives that directly engages community members? Waste characterizations attempt to directly teach proper waste diversion through a hands-on event that helps measure current waste ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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The Annual Waste Audit Approach at Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology

  • Niagara College Canada (ON)

The Pollution Prevention students studying in the Post-Graduate Environmental Management and Assessment Program partner with the Office of Sustainability to conduct annual waste audits for Niagara College of Applied Arts ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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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