| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.06 |
| Liaison | Dave Barbier |
| Submission Date | March 22, 2024 |
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.80 / 8.00 |
Sergio
Romero Data Analyst Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 185 Tons | 318 Tons |
| Materials composted | 69.31 Tons | 7 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 17 Tons | 257 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 279 Tons | 630 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 550.31 Tons | 1,212 Tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2021 | June 30, 2022 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2006 | June 30, 2007 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
Following a push towards sustainability many of our metrics have a baseline year of 2007.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 3,277 | 3,211 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 13 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 7,059 | 8,165 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,075 | 1,001 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,343 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 5,915.75 | 7,677.25 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.09 Tons | 0.16 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
41.07
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
49.30
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
49.30
In the waste figures reported above, has the institution recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold the following materials?:
| Yes or No | |
| Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers | Yes |
| Food | Yes |
| Cooking oil | Yes |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | Yes |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | Yes |
| Tires | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
Concrete, styrofoam
Materials intended for disposal but subsequently recovered and reused on campus, performance year:
16
Tons
Does the institution use single stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program:
30
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
A Materials Recovery Facility (pronounced MeRF) is a specialized plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for sale to end-user manufacturers. It is important that the materials which come out of the MRF are clean, properly sorted and relatively free of impurities.
What is important to understand, is what makes UWSP's process unique. While most individuals and businesses in the Stevens Point area send their recycled material to the Portage County MRF, UWSP has taken a beneficial 'hands-on' approach to the process. UWSP separates it's own waste prior to introducing it into recycling streams. All recycled material (except for glass and plastic) is separated at the Waste Education Center by staff and students, then sent directly to recycling vendors. This is a uniquely educational experience for our students who learn the complexities and importance of recycling first hand.
What is important to understand, is what makes UWSP's process unique. While most individuals and businesses in the Stevens Point area send their recycled material to the Portage County MRF, UWSP has taken a beneficial 'hands-on' approach to the process. UWSP separates it's own waste prior to introducing it into recycling streams. All recycled material (except for glass and plastic) is separated at the Waste Education Center by staff and students, then sent directly to recycling vendors. This is a uniquely educational experience for our students who learn the complexities and importance of recycling first hand.
A brief description of the institution's waste-related behavior change initiatives:
In 2020, single use plastic water bottles were banned in an effort to reduce the use of plastic which is traditionally limited in terms of recycling methods. Instead the university now sells aluminum "cans" for as a direct replacement for single-use water. Aluminum is not only infinitely recyclable but it also has a greater value to most people, making it more common to be recycled.
In 2019, following the introduction of a few compost bins in 2012, compost bins have now been incorporated in every residence hall and academic building. These additional bins have increased the campus composting rates over the years.
In 2018, the Green on the Go program was initiated with funding provided by the Green Fund ($12 of every student's segregated fees goes to the Green Fund, which is used for sustainability projects), which incorporated reusable 'to-go' containers into the dining halls on campus. Students who use Green on the Go containers receive a discount on their food purchase.
In 2019, following the introduction of a few compost bins in 2012, compost bins have now been incorporated in every residence hall and academic building. These additional bins have increased the campus composting rates over the years.
In 2018, the Green on the Go program was initiated with funding provided by the Green Fund ($12 of every student's segregated fees goes to the Green Fund, which is used for sustainability projects), which incorporated reusable 'to-go' containers into the dining halls on campus. Students who use Green on the Go containers receive a discount on their food purchase.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
In March 2021, an audit of the waste from the Lower Marketplace dining location was conducted in order to identify how students could improve their composting and recycling efforts. The results were published in a social media campaign to raise student awareness.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
Dining Services
Purchasing items that are certified fair trade and/or organic
Use of biodegradable/compostable take-out containers
Utilizing bulk pump dispensers and minimizing personal-size food items
The State of Wisconsin mandatory contract includes this in the bid:
The purpose of this Request for Bid (RFB) is to provide interested parties with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit a bid for Cleaning Chemicals. Contractors are encouraged to work with authorized end-users to replace non-Green certified chemicals with Green certified (Green Seal, Ecologo, or EPA Dfe certified) cleaning chemicals through product testing processes. Contractors are also expected to provide end-users with current cleaning methods and techniques for using Green Certified cleaning chemicals.
Purchasing items that are certified fair trade and/or organic
Use of biodegradable/compostable take-out containers
Utilizing bulk pump dispensers and minimizing personal-size food items
The State of Wisconsin mandatory contract includes this in the bid:
The purpose of this Request for Bid (RFB) is to provide interested parties with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit a bid for Cleaning Chemicals. Contractors are encouraged to work with authorized end-users to replace non-Green certified chemicals with Green certified (Green Seal, Ecologo, or EPA Dfe certified) cleaning chemicals through product testing processes. Contractors are also expected to provide end-users with current cleaning methods and techniques for using Green Certified cleaning chemicals.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
The mission of the Surplus Property office is to coordinate the collection, processing and disposal of unneeded or unused surplus property generated on the UWSP campus or from other state agencies. Every effort will be made to accomplish this in an environmentally and fiscally responsible manner beneficial to both our campus and community.
The Surplus Property Office was started in June of 1995.
The goal was to handle the large amount of university property that each year was catalogued as either obsolete, unusable in present programs, overstock or outdated.
Through various federal and state programs, surplus items from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point have ended up in such places as Mexico, Bulgaria, Nicaragua, the West Indies, St. Thomas and other islands located in the Caribbean.
The program has grown to not only serve the University, but also many other state or federal entities that require the disposal of surplus property.
UWSP offers students a unique and cost effective service through the Text Rental Department. Students check out books in the beginning of the semester, and return them on the last day of finals. Students save approximately $200.00 - $400.00 per semester with UWSP Text Rental Program.
The Surplus Property Office was started in June of 1995.
The goal was to handle the large amount of university property that each year was catalogued as either obsolete, unusable in present programs, overstock or outdated.
Through various federal and state programs, surplus items from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point have ended up in such places as Mexico, Bulgaria, Nicaragua, the West Indies, St. Thomas and other islands located in the Caribbean.
The program has grown to not only serve the University, but also many other state or federal entities that require the disposal of surplus property.
UWSP offers students a unique and cost effective service through the Text Rental Department. Students check out books in the beginning of the semester, and return them on the last day of finals. Students save approximately $200.00 - $400.00 per semester with UWSP Text Rental Program.
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
The Office of Sustainability runs two campus free stores: The Backpack and The Closet. The Backpack provides gently used or unused office/school supplies to students for free. The Closet provides gently used or unused clothing items to students for free.
At the campus surplus store we have a collection of nice, gently-used campus property available for sale to students, faculty, and the general public. Our goal is to help UWSP stay as environmentally and fiscally responsible.
We sell anything ranging from vacuums to TVs and copy machines to children's walkers! There is a little bit of everything here.
At the campus surplus store we have a collection of nice, gently-used campus property available for sale to students, faculty, and the general public. Our goal is to help UWSP stay as environmentally and fiscally responsible.
We sell anything ranging from vacuums to TVs and copy machines to children's walkers! There is a little bit of everything here.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
Following the COVID-19 Pandemic there has been a large push towards digitally managing documents. Through the use of custom portals where students can sign for required documentation to the use of the industry standard of DocuSign there has been a dramatic reduce in paper usage as more people become comfortable with digital formats.
In each students' semester tuition a $10.00 credit is allowed for printing. When that allowance is used, the student starts to acquire additional printing charges. This deters students from overprint when digital options are available.
In each students' semester tuition a $10.00 credit is allowed for printing. When that allowance is used, the student starts to acquire additional printing charges. This deters students from overprint when digital options are available.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
All registration, course, scheduling, forms and directories are easily and commonly found online. http://www.uwsp.edu/regrec/Pages/default.aspx
All student billing, financial aid information, housing registration, degree progress, and course registration is done online either through AccesSPoint or the StarRez Housing Portal.
All UWSP classes use Canvas for class materials. Canvas is an online learning management system where assignments can be uploaded, emails sent out to class, online quizzes distributed, and grades displayed.
DocuSign is used in order to facilitate easy and secure signing of documents for students and staff.
Zoom and online learning has also facilitated the use of online eBooks or PDFs rather than handouts during class.
All student billing, financial aid information, housing registration, degree progress, and course registration is done online either through AccesSPoint or the StarRez Housing Portal.
All UWSP classes use Canvas for class materials. Canvas is an online learning management system where assignments can be uploaded, emails sent out to class, online quizzes distributed, and grades displayed.
DocuSign is used in order to facilitate easy and secure signing of documents for students and staff.
Zoom and online learning has also facilitated the use of online eBooks or PDFs rather than handouts during class.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
The move-out event is promoted by Residential Housing Association, Facility Services and the Office of Sustainability. Tents are set up to collect large items, such as furniture, that is either swapped or taken to Goodwill. There are bins in the lobby of each hall to collect clothes, food and small appliances to be donated to local Goodwill. Non-perishable food is collected and donated to a student food pantry on campus. Bins for recycling are available.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
As part of the Office of Sustainability there are two student run "free stores", the "backpack" and the "closet". Supplying students with lightly or unused clothing and school supplies. Additionally the university runs a surplus store where anyone in the community, including students and staff can purchase items that the university no longer uses.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.