| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.91 |
| Liaison | Natalie Hayes |
| Submission Date | July 9, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bentley University
IN-1: Innovation 1
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Natalie
Hayes Associate Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :
In October 2013 Bentley installed a Greenbean Machine. Launched at MIT in August 2011, the Greenbean is a combination of a reverse vending machine and web application. The web application incorporates aspects of gaming, social media and gives the user real time statistics on their recycling behavior. Greenbean users create an account, and then deposit their bottles and cans into the machine. Users receive a five-cent refund for MA-eligible cans and bottles which includes beverages with carbonation. The machine accepts all bottles and cans and gives real-time feedback on the amount of energy saved, tonnage diverted from the landfill and number of containers recycled to give the user a sense of the impact of recycling. The Greenbean Company also holds unique monthly challenges and competitions sponsored by businesses to increase involvement.
Students were intimately involved in proposing the machine's installation, getting buy-in from the student body, promoting the machine and running challenges.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
29,876 Containers were recycled from October to December 2013.
Bentley ranked #1 in number of containers recycled during the first three months of operation compared to the eight other Massachussetts colleges with Greenbean Machines.
321 Students and others used the machine
2,259 pounds of material were diverted from the landfill.
$1,058 dollars were earned by campus recyclers.
5,096 Kwh saved in energy needed to produce new containers
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | No |
| Research | No |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Air & Climate | No |
| Buildings | No |
| Dining Services | No |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | No |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | No |
| Investment | No |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation 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.