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
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
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
- View more
Fighting Food Waste on College Campuses
- Bon Appétit Management Company
- Food Recovery Network (MD)
- Compass Group (NC)
Food waste is a problem on many fronts. About 40% of the available food supply in the United States is thrown away each year. When we waste food, we waste ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The PAC 12 Road to Zero Waste Competition
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of Southern California (CA)
- Green Sports Alliance (OR)
The Green Sports Alliance (GSA) in partnership with the PAC 12 campuses initiated a Road to Zero Waste competition this year. The group developed multiple goals and objectives to encourage ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Show me the money: Discovering revenue from reuse
- Iowa State University (IA)
- Oregon State University (OR)
- University Surplus Property Association (UT)
With so much focus on recycling, many seem to forget the value of reuse and redeploying products. By implementing highest and best use practices, institutions are able to maximize the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Why students should shower with their phones: The call for shorter showers
- University of Rhode Island (RI)
- NORESCO (NC)
Do students know how long they are in the shower? Are students able to mentally time their shower? How can we encourage students to decrease their time in the shower ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
College & University Recycling Coalition Zero Waste Workshop
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Oregon (OR)
Recycling, zero waste, sustainability coordinators and campus student leaders are welcome to attend the Fall regional workshop presented by the College & University Coalition in partnership with the University of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
OZZI & Reusable To-Go Containers: Reducing Waste & Saving Money
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
This interactive and engaging session will highlight a new system of collecting reusable to- go containers via a machine called, OZZI. Panelists from diverse higher education institutions, student populations and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Successful Campus Move Out Drives
- Southwestern College (OH)
The Southwestern Green Team has held numerous successful move-out collection drives over the years. We hold one at the end of every semester, collecting clothes, food, appliances, furniture, etc. We ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Community Electronic Recycling Drives
- Southwestern College (OH)
The Southwestern College Green Team has partnered with the City of Winfield and a local church to host three very successful electronic recycling drives in the Winfield community. We have ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Football Program Scores with Waste Reduction.
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
UNC Charlotte is a large urban university that recently added a football program and built a 15,000-seat stadium. Some students saw this as an opportunity to start a major ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Discovery and Development of a Long Range Compost Plan to Support Zero Waste
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State University began an in-house composting program on campus in 1999, and built a state-of-the-art aerated facility to expand composting opportunities, which opened in October 2011. At AASHE 2014 ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Aramark Supporting Arizona State University's Commitment to Zero Waste through Operations and Educational Outreach
- Aramark (PA)
Monitoring the waste stream by minimizing our environmental footprint by reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. Supporting closed loop waste management processes and committing to innovative practices to reach an absolute ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaging Students in Food Waste Reduction - Aramark, UNC-Chapel Hill & Feeding The 5,000
- Aramark (PA)
A review & discussion of the genesis, planning & execution of an innovative food waste reduction event conducted by Aramark at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In partnership with ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Waste Reduction Strategies and Building Community Through Food Donations
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
NAU Campus Dining uses several strategies to reduce food waste; tracking with LeanPath, composting, staff training and cooking techniques. The University received an Award of Recognition from the EPA's ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
PepsiCo Recycling: Shaping The Next Generation of Recyclers
- PepsiCo (IL)
The PepsiCo Recycling program has introduced thousands of new recycling solutions to events, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, gas stations, convenience stores and numerous venues across North America. Since the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Bridging the Academic and Operational Divide with WALLE: The Waste Audit Living Lab Experience
- Portland State University (OR)
Like many universities, Portland State University (PSU) is operationally challenged to collect concrete and robust data about the quantity and types of materials that are going through its waste stream ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fostering Student Leadership for Zero Waste Campuses
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
The focus of this Think Tank will be to progress the vision of Zero Waste campuses. Highlighting the importance of student involvement in these initiatives, we will troubleshoot the perceived ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing a Student-Led Move-Out Waste and Yard Sale Program
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
In 2010, after seeing dumpsters overflowing with thousands of usable materials during the previous year's move-out, I founded the UNH Trash 2 Treasure program as a sophomore. As students ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Recovery, Food Security, & Organics Recycling: Solutions and Best Practices for Environmental and Financial Sustainability
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Food recovery, dining waste reduction, and organics recycling (composting or anaerobic digestion) projects often go hand in hand at institutions of higher education, and all of these efforts require widespread ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Compost Diplomacy and Harvesting the Waste of Nations
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The student-run compost program at the University of Arizona provides a model for how institutions of higher education can engage profoundly with their communities and the social and environmental challenges ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fast Food Waste Streams and Zero Waste Goals: Opportunities at the Interface of Town and Gown
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Commercial districts near campuses often cater to students, offering fast and inexpensive food. Single use food service items, including containers, napkins, straws, yogurt and boba cups, bags and boxes, clog ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Pick It Up! Trash talk, a garden gnome and the push to eliminate litter at the University of Kentucky.
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Litter is a unique campus challenge with a diverse and unpredictable set of causes and contributing factors. It can also be a black eye for any campus. Pick It Up ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A New Way to Turn Trash Into Cash - The University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center
- University of San Diego (CA)
Winner of the 2014 Best Case Study from a Four-Year or Graduate Institution with 10,000 or Fewer Full-Time Students, the University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center (USD ERC ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Implementing a Sustainable Food Recycling/Repurposing Program on a Large Campus in the Southeast (SEC)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
At most universities food service operations abide by rules relating to shelf life. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), the Food Recovery Network, and the Dining Service Company, Aramark ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing a Model for a Residential Curbside Organics Collection System in Charleston, SC using the Business Model Canvas
- College of Charleston (SC)
The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a brainstorming and innovation tool used by businesses to map and design many different business models and ideas. While initially developed as a tool ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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
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.