| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.59 |
| Liaison | Victor Udo |
| Submission Date | Sept. 23, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bucknell University
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.43 / 8.00 |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 432.18 Tons | 364.79 Tons |
| Materials composted | 591.08 Tons | 1,679 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 1.15 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,239.93 Tons | 1,389.76 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 2,264.34 Tons | 3,433.55 Tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Jan. 1, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2018 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2007 | June 30, 2013 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
Baseline from the 2014 STARS submission. Unable to locate historical data from this era. Note: Unable to verify historical data. Composting may have gone down a lot due to a change in landscape practices. In the past, leaves were collected then composted. Approximately 2015, leaves were mulched directly back into the grass which dramatically reduced the estimated amount of composted material.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 3,353 | 3,050 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 17 | 17 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 14 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 3,781 | 3,563 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 1,342 | 1,162 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 4,698.75 | 4,310.50 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.48 Tons | 0.80 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 | Yes |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | No |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | No |
| Tires | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
Shredded paper, Discarded library books, Light bulbs, Electronics
Terracycle - BU Brigade recycles candy wrappers, yogurt containers, etc.
Materials intended for disposal but subsequently recovered and reused on campus, performance year (e.g. materials that are actively diverted from the landfill or incinerator and refurbished/repurposed) :
Does the institution use single stream recycling (a single container for commingled recyclables) to collect standard recyclables (i.e. paper, plastic, glass, metals) in common areas?:
Does the institution use dual stream (two separate containers for recyclables, e.g. one for paper and another for plastic, glass, and metals) to collect standard recyclables (i.e. paper, plastic, glass, metals) in common areas?:
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling (multiple containers that further separate different types of materials) to collect standard recyclables (i.e. paper, plastic, glass, metals) in common areas?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program (percentage, 0-100):
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed, e.g. efforts to minimize contamination and/or monitor the discard rates of the materials recovery facilities and mills to which materials are diverted:
A brief description of the institution's waste-related behavior change initiatives, e.g. initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices such as signage and competitions:
Participate in Recyclemania. Occasional zero waste sporting events and food waste data (scrape the plate) type of events in the dining hall.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
In 2011, comprehensive waste audit was conducted on campus. Over ten different dumpsters were sampled and contents were weighed. The waste audit was further described in an honors thesis by Hallie Kennan '12. As part of the ARC certifications, we have conducted annual waste audits in Academic West since 2016.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
Whenever possible, Bucknell specifies products that are durable; made from recycled materials; made of materials that can be recycled; made with materials that require less raw product (e.g. seat cushions are often a mesh material instead of thick foam); delivered in cartons with minimal packaging. On large orders, Bucknell requires the installer to recycle the packaging. Our bottle-less water coolers do not require plastic jugs. Since we don't need delivery of bottled water, there are fewer delivery trucks on campus.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Each summer Bucknell coordinates a supply swap for campus departments. Individuals can pick up recycled items and save their department budget dollars by finding supplies at the swap. Items typically include folders, binders, and plastic organizers. Two times a year there are open sales of items that no longer have value to the University but still may have value. The sales are primarily furniture, supplies and machinery that have been stored in the warehouse to a period beyond its value compared to the value of the storage space. Procurement runs the sale and funds go back into the Bucknell general account.
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse (e.g. of electronics, furnishings, books and other goods):
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption (e.g. restricting free printing and/or mandating doubled-sided printing in libraries and computer labs):
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials (e.g. course catalogs, course schedules, and directories) available online by default rather than printing them:
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
During move in, students are advised to minimize packing material prior to arrival. Near each of our residences, we setup large collection areas where boxes and packing material is collected, segregated and recycled appropriately. During move out, students are asked to bring household goods or clothes in good condition to collection areas. These items are collected and given to local charities. In May 2018, over 2300 lbs of items were donated.
We also make special collection locations and efforts to capture cardboard after residence hall move-in.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Bucknell also actively searches for reuse of older used classroom and resident hall furniture to charity programs such as Food for the Poor, Hand Up, local churches, etc. This in the past has resulted in tractor trailer loads of furniture staying out of the landfill and being reused. Other items collected for reuse/recycling include: solvent cleaning solution and oil from Garage, Ink and toners, electronic equipment to U.S. Prison, Lead acid battery, Tires, Antifreeze, and other hazardous materials.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.