| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.71 |
| Liaison | Alex Davis |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Arizona State University
OP-22: Waste Minimization
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.90 / 5.00 |
Betty
Lombardo Manager University Sustainability Practices |
Waste generated::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 1,671 Tons | 760 Tons |
| Materials composted | 144 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials reused, donated or re-sold | 285 Tons | 132 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 7,205 Tons | 9,518 Tons |
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 11,712 | 6,100 |
| Number of residential employees | 0 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 68,374 | 52,795 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 8,358 | 9,281 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 6,230 | 0 |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | July 1, 2012 | June 30, 2013 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2006 | June 30, 2007 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
The baseline coincides with when Arizona State University completed its first formal Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
A brief description of any (non-food) waste audits employed by the institution:
Waste Management Sustainability Consultants performed a Waste Characterization Study for ASU from February 14 through 17, 2012. The study examined municipal solid waste generated at the ASU main campus in Tempe, Arizona. The function of this exercise was to examine material generation and waste stream composition in order to reduce waste and improve operational efficiencies. A Waste Characterization Report was then developed to provide quantitative baseline data and observations about the material assessed.
A brief description of any institutional procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
Arizona State University’s Green Purchasing requirements mandate reduced packaging, and any packaging that is used must meet at least one of the following, and preferably all of the following: made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, be recyclable, be reusable, be non-toxic, and be bio-degradable. This requirement has reduced the amount of packaging material that arrives on campus.
Solicitations have specifications that suppliers must take away their packaging for large quantity equipment purchases.
ASU has moved completely away from broadloom carpeting to carpet tiles. We reduce waste by ordering only sections that need replacement. All carpet suppliers are required to pick up old carpet tiles and recycle them. (Also, broadloom inherently uses 15% to 20% more material, because of increased cutting and seaming to match patterns in irregular sized spaces.
In December 2009, ASU approved a Sustainable Design Policy to implement sustainable practices in the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of all university facilities. The policy applies to all new construction and major renovations on all ASU campuses. The guidelines provide direction in working toward the university’s goals of carbon neutrality, zero waste, active engagement and principled practice. Incorporated within this policy are the following waste reduction guidelines:
• Building Size & Footprint: Minimize the overall building size (square footage and footprint) while meeting the building program requirements. The goal is efficient use of space to reduce overall resource consumption; including embodied energy, operational energy, and building materials.
• Design for Future Use: Plan for a “100-year Building” through flexibility of use and future reuse. Design interior spaces that are flexible and allow for changes in use. Use standard furniture wherever possible. Minimize use of custom millwork, custom building systems (door frames, doors, interior windows etc.) to maximize reuse in the future. For retrofits, analyze current space requirements for space efficiency, function, and use proximity. Design in accordance with cradle to cradle principles to the full extent practical.
• Existing Landscaping: Protect significant natural and historic landscaping and incorporate those elements into the new landscape design. Design to optimize a balance of water conservation and energy conservation.
• Reused and repurposed materials should be integrated into the building shell, structural materials, finishes, and fixtures when they can be used without compromising quality.
• Construction Waste: Minimize or eliminate construction waste. Reduce, reuse and/or recycle waste materials to minimize disposal to a landfill.
A brief description of any surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Arizona State University has Surplus Property where retired items are sold or recycled. The University also has an online program called Surplus Exchange and Transfer that is a university-wide "classified ad" system for exchanging property. Through SunSET, Arizona State University departments can re-use office supplies, lab supplies, some types of furniture, and other un-needed items, thus keeping many of these items from reaching our landfill.
A brief description of the institution's efforts to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
The Arizona State University course catalogs and course schedules available online. All registration is now paperless.
https://webapp4.asu.edu/catalog/
Directories are also available online.
https://webapp4.asu.edu/directory/
In addition - all orientation materials are now sent electronically.
A brief description of any limits on paper and ink consumption employed by the institution:
Arizona State University eliminated printing free copies at the start of academic year 2009. All printing done by students at any of our computing centers and libraries is paid for by the respective student. In addition, the default setting for all computer lab printers is to print double sided. Further, the University introduced one-to-one computing four years ago. Most students purchase their own laptops with the needed software installed so that they rarely have to use a computer center.
In addition, Arizona State University signed a 20-year agreement with Canon to digitize the University. As a part of this initiative, Canon has inventoried all input/output devices on campus and is visiting with departments to show them how they can adopt the latest technology while reducing their costs by replacing many input/output devices with a few networked multifunction devices. Canon devices offer print reduction programs, are ser to double side printing, provide scan to e-mail, and fax to file.
A brief description of any programs employed by the institution to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Ditch the Dumpster is an annual tradition. The year-end donation and recycling drive collects thousands of pounds of reusable and recyclable items from students as they move out of ASU residence halls. Reusable items are donated to charity organizations that benefit children and families locally. Items that cannot be reused are repurposed or recycled. Ditch the Dumpster is a university-wide initiative, consisting of several cross-functional departments and a third-party non-profit organization. Donation bins are designated at each residence hall approximately 3 weeks prior to semester's end; non-profit staff picks up donations on a daily basis. "Special" recycling collections are also set up adjacent to donation centers, for items such as e-waste, and polystyrene which cannot go into our single-stream recycling program.
A brief description of any other (non-food) waste minimization strategies employed by the institution:
Alcoa Foundation, in partnership with national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful and the College and University Recycling Coalition, provided 75 recycling bins to ASU for use as part of the Alcoa Foundation Recycling Bin Grant Program.
A Materials Management team created a system that uses existing delivery and pick-up routes to collect used office supplies. The program won an ASU President’s Award for Sustainability.
Since January 2008, ASU Facilities Development and Management have implemented a reclaimed paint program. Unused paint from new construction and renovations is collected and warehoused in the Paint Shop, where it is organized by type and color, and is subsequently used for a variety of work, including covering graffiti, painting restrooms, handrails, exterior doors; and as a primer for new construction and accent walls.
A brief description of any food waste audits employed by the institution:
During spring 2011, the School of Sustainability’s Sustainable Food and Farming class, with help from our primary food service provider ARAMARK, performed a waste audit of Arizona State University’s Hassayampa residential restaurants.
A brief description of any programs and/or practices to track and reduce pre-consumer food waste in the form of kitchen food waste, prep waste and spoilage:
In November of 2012, Arizona State University began diverting food scraps from kitchen prep areas to a compost program. ARAMARK, Arizona State University's food service provider, uses the Lean Path program to minimize food waste throughout the food prep process.
A brief description of programs and/or practices to track and reduce post-consumer food waste:
In November of 2012, Arizona State University began diverting food scraps from dish return in dining halls to a compost program. ASU also piloted food scrap diversion from athletic events.
A brief description of the institution's provision of reusable and/or third party certified compostable to-go containers for to-go food and beverage items (in conjunction with a composting program):
Arizona State University’s primary food service contractor, ARAMARK, currently provides reusable to-go containers at the Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix campus Devil’s Greens restaurant. Customers pay a $3 deposit for the use of the containers. After using the containers, customers have three options: 1) Return the container and receive an exchange-tag to redeem for a clean container at their next visit; 2) Return the container and receive a clean container on the spot; or 3) Return the container and redeem the $3 deposit.
A brief description of the institution's provision of reusable service ware for “dine in” meals and reusable and/or third party certified compostable service ware for to-go meals (in conjunction with a composting program):
All dining halls use only washable dishes and utensils.
A brief description of any discounts offered to customers who use reusable containers (e.g. mugs) instead of disposable or compostable containers in to-go food service operations:
Arizona State University’s primary food service contractor, ARAMARK, offers a discount on beverages with the use of a reusable cup or mug. They giveaway free reusable hot and cold mugs at various Sun Devil Dining events such as Campus Sustainability Day and Earth Week to promote the use of reusable containers. They also provide free reusable water bottles to all freshmen during the move in process across all four campuses annually. Furthermore, reusable mugs and bags are sold at convenient stores across campus.
A brief description of other dining services waste minimization programs and initiatives:
The implementation of trayless dining.
The website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.