| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.49 |
| Liaison | Ryan Todd |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2021 |
California State University, Sacramento
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.57 / 8.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Parts 1 and 2. Waste per person
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 783.81 Tons | 469.06 Tons |
| Materials composted | 993.77 Tons | 639.13 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 56.49 Tons | 1.08 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,458.78 Tons | 1,180.90 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 3,292.85 Tons | 2,290.17 Tons |
If reporting post-recycling residual conversion, provide:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
| Baseline Period | Aug. 1, 2013 | July 31, 2014 |
If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:
The performance year was chosen based on the most recent 12 month fiscal period prior to starting work on the STARS report. The baseline year was determined by choosing the 12 month period prior to completing the first STARS assessment.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,200 | 1,700 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 49 | 49 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 27,144 | 24,237 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 3,217 | 1,801 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 9,532 | 12,372 |
| Weighted campus users | 16,184 | 10,686.75 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.20 Tons | 0.21 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
5.06
Part 3. Waste diverted from the landfill or incinerator
55.70
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
55.70
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 |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | Yes |
| Tires | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
Car Batteries
Cardboard
Construction Materials
Electronic Waste
Inert Materials
Latex Paints
Prescription Drugs
Cardboard
Construction Materials
Electronic Waste
Inert Materials
Latex Paints
Prescription Drugs
Optional Fields
Active Recovery and Reuse
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Recycling Management
Yes
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
No
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
No
Contamination and Discard Rates
---
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
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Programs and Initiatives
Students in Introduction to Environmental Science run an ongoing waste education campaign to educate their peers on proper waste disposal. Participants stand by waste and composting receptacles to explain proper sorting techniques.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
1. The Sustainability Department conducted an audit on the contents of 50+ external trash cans to determine which items should be diverted.
2. The Recycling Department has conducted several audits to determine which trash and recycle cans should be relocated.
3. The Recycling Department has conducted several audits to determine which trash cans can be pulled from service in order to encourage recycling. As a result, over 20 trash cans have been removed from service.
4. An audit was performed to determine which of the campus' cigarette urns collected the most cigarette butts in order to determine locations where urns need to be placed.
5. Bills and invoices are routinely audited for trends in weight fluctuations and types of materials collected.
6. Spot checks are conducted on the campus' waste and recycle receptacles to reduce cross-contamination of waste and recycling streams.
7. All excess equipment and furniture are audited to determine whether those items are fit for reuse or to be recycled.
8. The Recycling Coordinator collects waste data annually from several entities and subsidiaries of the university to determine which waste diversion programs and practices should be implemented on the campus.
9. Football game tailgate recycling events are conducted not only to collect recyclable materials but also to determine which and how much materials are being collected.
10. To maximize payment, metals are audited and separated according to their type value prior to being recycled.
11. Two audits have been conducted to determine how much of the campus is still in need of desk side recycling bins and mini trash bins. The results of these audits have led to increased recycling can distribution and decreased trash can distribution.
12. An annual Buy-Recycled report is required by all departments conducting purchases to ascertain how many purchases and total dollar amount are being spent on products containing recycled content. This report is audited to ensure that sustainable purchase requirements are being met.
2. The Recycling Department has conducted several audits to determine which trash and recycle cans should be relocated.
3. The Recycling Department has conducted several audits to determine which trash cans can be pulled from service in order to encourage recycling. As a result, over 20 trash cans have been removed from service.
4. An audit was performed to determine which of the campus' cigarette urns collected the most cigarette butts in order to determine locations where urns need to be placed.
5. Bills and invoices are routinely audited for trends in weight fluctuations and types of materials collected.
6. Spot checks are conducted on the campus' waste and recycle receptacles to reduce cross-contamination of waste and recycling streams.
7. All excess equipment and furniture are audited to determine whether those items are fit for reuse or to be recycled.
8. The Recycling Coordinator collects waste data annually from several entities and subsidiaries of the university to determine which waste diversion programs and practices should be implemented on the campus.
9. Football game tailgate recycling events are conducted not only to collect recyclable materials but also to determine which and how much materials are being collected.
10. To maximize payment, metals are audited and separated according to their type value prior to being recycled.
11. Two audits have been conducted to determine how much of the campus is still in need of desk side recycling bins and mini trash bins. The results of these audits have led to increased recycling can distribution and decreased trash can distribution.
12. An annual Buy-Recycled report is required by all departments conducting purchases to ascertain how many purchases and total dollar amount are being spent on products containing recycled content. This report is audited to ensure that sustainable purchase requirements are being met.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
The University's Procurement office includes the promotion of sustainable purchasing on its website and includes the following info:
1.The University encourages its current suppliers to carry and promote sustainable products as part of their catalogs.
2. The Procurement office encourages its buyers to consider purchasing green products in lieu of other products.
3. Several benefits--environmental, monetary, and otherwise--are outlined on the Procurement website.
4. Additionally, the following tips are included to help a buyer make the most sustainable purchase: consolidate orders, use of electronic catalogs, buy items containing recycled content, double-sided printing, choosing renewable resources, opting for non-hazardous materials, buy local, look for energy efficient models, buy only what is needed and, finally, to spread the word to others to buy green.
5. Links to the EPA's Environmentally Preferred Purchasing website are available, the federal government's sustainable buying guidelines page, as well as CalRecycle's Buy Recycled Campaign page.
Additionally:
6. All vendors registered with the CSU must have all products sold as containing recycled content (some exceptions are outlined) much certify said products with the CSU to prove the recycled content.
7. Procurement requires certain purchases such as metal, paper, paint and more to contain certain amounts of recycled content. A page on their websites outlines the products and the required recycled content percentages.
8. A Buy-Recycled audit report is required of all campus departments conducting purchases to report the dollar amount spent on said recycled content purchases.
9. Facilities Management's work order program requires that all requests for purchasing made through the program record whether or not the purchase is green and if the purchase contains recycled content
1.The University encourages its current suppliers to carry and promote sustainable products as part of their catalogs.
2. The Procurement office encourages its buyers to consider purchasing green products in lieu of other products.
3. Several benefits--environmental, monetary, and otherwise--are outlined on the Procurement website.
4. Additionally, the following tips are included to help a buyer make the most sustainable purchase: consolidate orders, use of electronic catalogs, buy items containing recycled content, double-sided printing, choosing renewable resources, opting for non-hazardous materials, buy local, look for energy efficient models, buy only what is needed and, finally, to spread the word to others to buy green.
5. Links to the EPA's Environmentally Preferred Purchasing website are available, the federal government's sustainable buying guidelines page, as well as CalRecycle's Buy Recycled Campaign page.
Additionally:
6. All vendors registered with the CSU must have all products sold as containing recycled content (some exceptions are outlined) much certify said products with the CSU to prove the recycled content.
7. Procurement requires certain purchases such as metal, paper, paint and more to contain certain amounts of recycled content. A page on their websites outlines the products and the required recycled content percentages.
8. A Buy-Recycled audit report is required of all campus departments conducting purchases to report the dollar amount spent on said recycled content purchases.
9. Facilities Management's work order program requires that all requests for purchasing made through the program record whether or not the purchase is green and if the purchase contains recycled content
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
1. Property Management Department collects all excess equipment and furniture to determine if the items are fit for reuse for campus needs.
2. Any excess furniture or equipment that Property Management Department determines of sound quality but not fit for reuse on campus are put up for public auction.
3. When a department switches to new copiers that require a new kind of toner cartridge, the old unused toner cartridges are collected for redistribution to other departments which may have use for those cartridges.
4. On a limited basis, when old office supplies are collected for recycle, if said office supplies are in good usable condition, those office supplies are reallocated.
5. Books can be donated to the Friends of the Library by any member of campus community or general public. Those books are then resold by the Friends of the Library which raises funds going for the Library.
2. Any excess furniture or equipment that Property Management Department determines of sound quality but not fit for reuse on campus are put up for public auction.
3. When a department switches to new copiers that require a new kind of toner cartridge, the old unused toner cartridges are collected for redistribution to other departments which may have use for those cartridges.
4. On a limited basis, when old office supplies are collected for recycle, if said office supplies are in good usable condition, those office supplies are reallocated.
5. Books can be donated to the Friends of the Library by any member of campus community or general public. Those books are then resold by the Friends of the Library which raises funds going for the Library.
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
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A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
1. Many of the University's printing stations charge by the page for print jobs, discouraging frivolous or excessive paper and toner consumption.
2. Paper towel dispensers have pre-cut amounts to discourage overconsumption of paper towels.
3. When possible, many departments are switching to a single printer for an office or group of employees, thus negating the need for excessive ink and toner purchases.
4. Though not mandatory, some offices encourage double-sided printing and copying to save paper and ink.
5. Reprographics Department uses a toner-saving printer that distributes less ink on a page and does it in such a way as to make it easier to remove ink during the recycling process.
6. All office printers are default set to print double sided.
2. Paper towel dispensers have pre-cut amounts to discourage overconsumption of paper towels.
3. When possible, many departments are switching to a single printer for an office or group of employees, thus negating the need for excessive ink and toner purchases.
4. Though not mandatory, some offices encourage double-sided printing and copying to save paper and ink.
5. Reprographics Department uses a toner-saving printer that distributes less ink on a page and does it in such a way as to make it easier to remove ink during the recycling process.
6. All office printers are default set to print double sided.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
1. The University as a whole, and its many Departments, Divisions, and other subsidiaries, routinely utilize websites, social media, and other online avenues as a means to make available information for its customers. These sites routinely provide interactive opportunities, i.e. forms, by which said customers may apply for a program, conduct monetary transactions, request work, etc.
2. SacCT, the Canvas Learning Program, is utilized by Academics as a virtual blackboard and classroom forum for the students. Students can discuss with classmates, take instruction from professors, register for classes, take quizzes and tests online, and receive their grades without ever needing to print.
3. The campus utilizes an online universal directory by which contact information for faculty, staff, and other campus entities can be located. There is no printed version of the directory.
4. The campus employs a virtual course catalog where students can search for potential classes. This has led to a significant reduction in the need for printed catalogs.
5. Campus staff utilize a shared drive on which qualified members store and share files, thus negating the need for printed hard copies.
6. Facilities Management employs an online software program (AiM) on which the campus community can request work. This program has negated the need for paper forms.
7. The campus allows qualified members to access their workstations remotely, thus negating the necessity of printing files and other documents when working remotely.
8. All but two of the University's business operations (Facilities Management and Police Department) have switched to online verification of work hours. Previously, each employee received a printed form of their hours worked by which they would verify their hours for their paychecks. Now, most of the campus community can verify this information online without the need for paper hard copies.
9. The Procurement Department has created a virtual online shopping center filled with approved vendors. This eliminates the need for any printed catalogs of approved vendors and their products.
2. SacCT, the Canvas Learning Program, is utilized by Academics as a virtual blackboard and classroom forum for the students. Students can discuss with classmates, take instruction from professors, register for classes, take quizzes and tests online, and receive their grades without ever needing to print.
3. The campus utilizes an online universal directory by which contact information for faculty, staff, and other campus entities can be located. There is no printed version of the directory.
4. The campus employs a virtual course catalog where students can search for potential classes. This has led to a significant reduction in the need for printed catalogs.
5. Campus staff utilize a shared drive on which qualified members store and share files, thus negating the need for printed hard copies.
6. Facilities Management employs an online software program (AiM) on which the campus community can request work. This program has negated the need for paper forms.
7. The campus allows qualified members to access their workstations remotely, thus negating the necessity of printing files and other documents when working remotely.
8. All but two of the University's business operations (Facilities Management and Police Department) have switched to online verification of work hours. Previously, each employee received a printed form of their hours worked by which they would verify their hours for their paychecks. Now, most of the campus community can verify this information online without the need for paper hard copies.
9. The Procurement Department has created a virtual online shopping center filled with approved vendors. This eliminates the need for any printed catalogs of approved vendors and their products.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
1. During move-in/move-out events, extra 4-yard recycling bins are located on site.
2. Special recycling stream collections are created for these events. These special collections have included but are not limited to battery and e-waste collections.
3. On-site Housing staff are trained to help residents recognize opportunities for recycling during move-in and move-out.
4. The University, Sustainability Department, and Housing all utilize social media to encourage residents to recycle during these events.
5. Extra notices (posters, flyers) are located throughout Housing to direct residents to recycling receptacles and which items can be recycled.
6. In their moving-in instructions to new residents, Housing indicates which non-recyclable packing items should be avoided (Polystyrene and plastic film), and also announces that recycling will be part of these events.
7. In an effort to decrease the amount of appliance waste at move-out events, Housing has employed a program to rent personal refrigerators to residents.
2. Special recycling stream collections are created for these events. These special collections have included but are not limited to battery and e-waste collections.
3. On-site Housing staff are trained to help residents recognize opportunities for recycling during move-in and move-out.
4. The University, Sustainability Department, and Housing all utilize social media to encourage residents to recycle during these events.
5. Extra notices (posters, flyers) are located throughout Housing to direct residents to recycling receptacles and which items can be recycled.
6. In their moving-in instructions to new residents, Housing indicates which non-recyclable packing items should be avoided (Polystyrene and plastic film), and also announces that recycling will be part of these events.
7. In an effort to decrease the amount of appliance waste at move-out events, Housing has employed a program to rent personal refrigerators to residents.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
1. Organic waste is routinely donated to the BAC Yard for composting purposes.
2. Sac State Sustainability has teamed up with California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) to implement the "Don't Rush to Flush" and "Refuel Your Fun" campaigns on the Sac State campus. "Don't Rush to Flush" is a pharmaceutical take-back program and "Refuel Your Fun" offers the option of renting reusable propane tanks rather than purchasing single-use propane tanks.
3. Sac State Sustainability is committed to composting its green waste onsite as much as is possible.
4. Campus has continued to utilize desk side mini trash bins in an effort to instill in its customers the idea that most of their waste should be recycled.
2. Sac State Sustainability has teamed up with California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) to implement the "Don't Rush to Flush" and "Refuel Your Fun" campaigns on the Sac State campus. "Don't Rush to Flush" is a pharmaceutical take-back program and "Refuel Your Fun" offers the option of renting reusable propane tanks rather than purchasing single-use propane tanks.
3. Sac State Sustainability is committed to composting its green waste onsite as much as is possible.
4. Campus has continued to utilize desk side mini trash bins in an effort to instill in its customers the idea that most of their waste should be recycled.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/internal/property-management/surplus-property.html
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.