| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.04 |
| Liaison | Debbie Liddick |
| Submission Date | April 21, 2023 |
Black Hills State University
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.30 / 8.00 |
Maggie
Torness Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Services |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 111.09 Tons | 3.52 Tons |
| Materials composted | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0.33 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 489 Tons | 401 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 600.42 Tons | 404.52 Tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility:
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion: BHSU re-purposed used vehicle oil from fleet vehicles into heating oil. The heater uses the used oil and generates heat for recycling/collection building. 750 gallons of oil have been utilized since 2021, averaging 250gal/year. .33 tons = 250 gallons for one year.
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:
FY 2007 was the first year BHSU performed a greenhouse gas emission report. The recycling program on campus began in FY 2005.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 720 | 736 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 7 | 3 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 4 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 4,508 | 2,950 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 377 | 337.70 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 985 | 760 |
| Weighted campus users | 3,110.75 | 2,080.52 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.19 Tons | 0.19 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
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 | No |
| 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 | No |
| Other (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
All goods not needed on campus are recycled, if possible. The data above is from FY 2020-2021; this year we did a big Library remodel and so, while the amount we recycled was substantial, this project also increased the amount we sent to the landfill. During Covid-19, we had to stop recycling plastic, paper, and glass since the recycling facilities needed to do this were inaccessible. We are in the process of trying to restart these operations again so we can meet our goals to be "zero-waste" by 2030.
Materials intended for disposal but subsequently recovered and reused on campus, performance year:
Does the institution use single stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program:
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
A brief description of the institution's waste-related behavior change initiatives:
BHSU currently uses the "trash buddy" system for desk side recycling in all offices. We met with departments across campus to explain the new system and educate them on recycling. We also updated our website, created brochures and increased signage around campus.
We participate in Campus Race to Zero Waste (formerly RecycleMania) efforts every year.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Recycled material is weighed and recorded by type (plastic, metal, motor oil, cardboard, e-waste, aluminum cans and batteries) throughout the year.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
BHSU has a Free Store which encourages non-monetary exchanges of clothing, books, cookware, and other household items by having a space where those things can be donated, stored, and perused on a as-need basis. Each semester, BHSU's Eco-Reps and RA's organize a clothing swap to allow students to share clothing and accessories rather than buy new or throw away their old items.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
A fee was instituted for printing on campus. Students are given a small stipend each year for printing and are required to pay for anything over that amount.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
Professors are required to make class agendas available online rather than printed.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Cardboard recycling is available for residence hall move-in/move-out days. Tables are set up outside of the dorms for donations of goods that are then donated to local thrift stores or made available for other students.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
The BHSU bookstore's used book/book rental program keeps textbooks in circulation longer, reducing the amount of paper waste.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.