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
New Resources
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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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
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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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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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A New Paradigm for Campus Electronic Waste
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
State institutions of higher learning are saddled with insufficient budgets, antiquated laws and policies that make it difficult to deal effectively and equitably with the problem of electronic waste. It ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable E-Waste Education and Research
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
This presentation provides a review of two recent electronic waste (e-waste) education and research initiatives as part of a Sustainable Electronics Initiative at the University of Illinois Sustainable Technology Center ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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RecycleMania: The Race to Zero Campus Waste
- University of Oregon (OR)
Join a dynamic panel of representatives from campuses large and small, public and private, who will discuss how they have used this EPA-sponsored, Keep America Beautiful-administered tournament to promote recycling ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Conducting a Waste Audit at a Large Urban Campus
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
In spring 2010, a comprehensive waste audit was conducted at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh by the students in Environmental Studies 390: Topics of Campus Sustainability. In order to fully ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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WMU EcoMug: An Initiative to Reduce Disposable Cups on Campus
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Western Michigan University spends over $32,000 annually on foam cups, paper cups, and plastics lids. There are additional "upstream" environmental and energy costs associated with manufacturing these products and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Educational Energy Audit - Combining Student Learning & Energy Efficiency
- Wilson College (PA)
In October, 2009, The Loyalton Group, energy consulting partner for Sodexo and their clients, conducted an energy audit at Wilson College, in Chambersburg, PA. Beyond the regular energy audit and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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600,000 Plastic Bags/year, No More: Leveraging the Classroom Experience for On-Campus Sustainability Initiatives.
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
The students of ENVS 3001 and Dining Services staff worked together to implement a shift from single-use plastic bags to reusable nylon at Grab-n-Go venues and convenience stores on campus ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Food Waste Tracking: The First Step Toward Food Waste Minimization
- LeanPath, Inc. (OR)
Food waste minimization is a key element of any portfolio of campus dining sustainability strategies. Food waste tracking is the first step toward minimization. This presentation will feature college and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Talking Trash: Getting the Best Data Out of Your Waste and Recycling
- Meredith College (NC)
- Pacific University (OR)
Join this presentation to learn about three different efforts to collect baseline data on recycling and waste on campus. An overview of a community-based social marketing campaign (CBSM) to "green ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Assessing Solid Waste Management at the University of Northern British Columbia: A Major Step in Becoming Canada's Green University
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
In the summer of 2007 the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) trademarked itself as 'Canada's Green University,' launching a sustainability initiative encompassing all aspects of its teaching, research ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Growing Relationships Through Composting: A University Case Study
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The University of Washington is a public, four-year institution with a 40,000 student enrollment. The campus population also includes more than 30,000 staff. In an effort to reduce ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Appalachian State University- Working Toward a Zero Waste Event
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The purpose of this presentation is to outline the zero waste event for home town football games. ASU Brewer Kidd stadium will often have overcapacity at home games. This presentation ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Promoting Recycling at a Big Ten University: Garnering and Understanding Stakeholder Input for a Communication Strategy at Michigan State University
- Michigan State University (MI)
In 2006, Michigan State University (MSU) began systematically studying methods to improve campus sustainability efforts. The MSU Vice President for Finance and Operations launched the Boldness by Design Environmental Stewardship ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond Recycling: Oureach and Education Across Campus
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
At Eastern Connecticut State University, we are committed to developing a culture of awareness with regard to recycling and environmental ethics. The Center for Sustainable Energy Studies works closely with ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Effects of Education and Program Improvements on Garbage Disposal and Recycling Quantities
- Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC)
The project involved year long monitoring of dumpsters and recycling stations on the Lenoir-Rhyne College campus. A scale was drawn on each of these stations denoting measurements of height which ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Recycling During Student Move In and Move Out
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Student Move In and Move Out are both times of heavy waste generation on most college campuses. The University of Colorado at Boulder has developed a means to divert tons ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Trayless Dining: The Triple Bottom Line Business and Social Case
- Aramark (PA)
Trayless dining is recognized as a significant opportunity to introduce sustainability into the dining stream. It represents a true triple bottom line initiative with environmental, economic, and social benefits. Yet ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond Disposables: A Reusable To-go System
- Eckerd College (FL)
Each year millions of clamshell disposable containers end up in the landfill. This issue can be solved by implementing a reusable to-go system. The reusable to-go system consists of a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Zero Waste Programs on Campus: How Low Can We Go?
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
A renewed emphasis on waste prevention is signaling an exciting shift among a growing number of college campuses, off-campus communities, and leading corporations internationally. Zero waste is no longer an ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Turning Trash into Transportation: Establishing and Growing a (Recycled) Campus-bicycle Sharing Program
- University of Kentucky (KY)
At the University of Kentucky we have developed a highly successful and innovative bicycle sharing program called the Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library (www.wildcatwheels.org). The mission of our program ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How a Large Institution of Higher Learning can Impact Regional Growth on Sustainability Practices: Commercial Composting in the Pacific Northwest
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The University of Washington is a public, four-year institution with a 40,000 student enrollment. The campus population also includes more than 30,000 faculty and staff. The Department of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Power of Partnership: Redefining Closed-Loop Recycling
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Green Mountain College reaffirmed its commitment to being a leader in sustainability by joining Casella Waste Systems Power of Three™ closed loop recycling initiative. The Power of Three is Casella ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Collaborative Biodiesel Project
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The Collaborative Biodiesel Project is a student-led initiative at Appalachian State University and is partially funded by the EPA P3 Award: Student Design Competition for Sustainability. The purpose of the ...
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Survey: Fans More Likely To Attend Games, Buy Hot Dogs if Stadium Composts Trash
Our latest national survey gives universities a new reason to go green: It’s smart business. Nearly a third of Americans said they’d be more likely to attend a ...
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
- Publications
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Guest Blog: The Road to a Campus Plastic Bag Ban
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
During the 2012-2013 school year we passed a Student Union Senate resolution calling for an end to the distribution of plastic bags in campus stores. The year ended with little ...
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
- Publications
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AASHE Interview Series: Herb Sharpe, Corporate Director of Education and Health Care Solutions at Waste Management
- Waste Management (TX)
Judy Walton, AASHE's Chief Publications Officer, recently interviewed Herb Sharpe, Corporate Director of Education and Health Care Solutions at Waste Management, an AASHE Business Leader Member. Herb is responsible ...
- Posted Feb. 24, 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.