| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.90 |
| Liaison | Jessica Bowen |
| Submission Date | Aug. 3, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Aquinas College
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Jessica
Eimer Bowen Director of Sustainability Center for Sustainability |
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign directed at students within the previous three years that has yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign directed at employees within the previous three years that has yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
The name of the campaign (1st campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (1st campaign):
As a part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, Aquinas College committed to becoming a zero waste to landfill campus by 2020. In 2012, the Center for Sustainability and Students Striving for Sustainability (S3) Club partnered to further Aquinas’ commitment to sustainability by moving forward the goal to achieve campus-wide zero municipal solid waste by 2014. A Zero Waste Team is in place to assist in educational programs concerning Aquinas’ waste streams, including zero waste events. Waste stations (composting, recycling, and trash) have been placed in every common area of every building. Trash cans were removed from classrooms. With collaboration of faculty, staff, and students, tackling waste is quickly becoming a part of the campus culture.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (1st campaign):
The college has been aggressively working on the zero waste initiative. We removed several trash dumpsters, saving the college $2,000 per month in operations. The college’s diversion rate has improved from 45% to almost 80% in just 2 years.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available (1st campaign):
The name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A waste competition was held between AQ houses. All of the trash, recycling and composting generated at these houses was collected, sorted, and weighed. The "Zero Waste Champ" category recognizes the house that recycled and composted (or diverted) the largest percentage of their waste stream. The "Best Trashers" category identifies which house has the least amount of recycling and composting in their trash that could have been diverted from the landfill. For this category, the lower percentage, the better! The campaign elevated the conversation about waste in the campus houses.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
These results gave us the information needed to see where we can improve, as well as the houses we should focus more on educating about the different ways of disposing our waste. It also encouraged peer to peer education.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
A brief description of other outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
The Biggest Loser: Waste-Loss Challenge:
Throughout the entire month of February (2013), "The Biggest Loser: Waste-Loss Challenge" was held in St. Joe (the second biggest residence hall on campus). Each floor competed to recycle and compost the most waste (computed in pounds per person). Weekly "weigh-ins" were held during the St. Joe Staff Meetings. Third floor was the big winner, recycling and composting a total of 140.83 lbs – or 2.82 lbs. per person.
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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