| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.57 |
| Liaison | Juliana Goodlaw-Morris |
| Submission Date | Dec. 18, 2020 |
California State University, San Marcos
IN-47: Innovation A
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Juliana
Goodlaw-Morris Sustainability Manager Safety, Risk and Sustainability |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
CSUSM is one of the only universities nationally that is reducing it's laboratory waste through a partnership with Ingenium. The Emerald Energy Program is an innovated alternative method for the treatment and disposal of bio-hazardous waste. Compared to the traditional method of autoclaving and landfilling the waste, the Emerald Energy Program is a more sustainable practice for this laboratory waste stream. This program diverts waste from the autoclave and landfill to an incineration facility in California. At the treatment facility, the waste is incinerated to produce steam. The process of incineration leads to thermal energy, which is transferred to power local power grids. CSUSM does not send any medical waste to the landfill for disposal.
The Emerald Energy Program capitalizes on new and innovative technologies to manage biological waste streams. There are many benefits to the University and our surrounding communities. The reduction of water and energy use to power the autoclaves means that precious resources are saved. In addition to the reduction of the Universities energy consumption, the waste is not taken to local landfills. In addition to the environmental benefits, these waste management practices are actually cheaper to the University. The waste-to-energy process is a complete reversal of how we as CSU’s can approach waste management. By identifying and leveraging new technologies, the CSU’s can lead the way in waste management.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the innovation 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.