Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.18
Liaison Joseph Kahn
Submission Date April 20, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Central Michigan University
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.77 / 8.00 Jay Kahn
Facilities Operations Director
Facilities Managment
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 228.91 Tons 332.52 Tons
Materials composted 305 Tons 66.50 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 55.64 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 16.79 Tons 14 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 1,739.73 Tons 1,652.50 Tons
Total waste generated 2,346.07 Tons 2,065.52 Tons

A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:

Central Michigan University releases all of its used or unwanted cooking oil to a company called Darling, where it is converted into bio-fuels.


Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016
Baseline Year July 1, 2012 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):
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Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 5,800 5,695
Number of employees resident on-site 18 0
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 18,738 19,705
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 2,447 2,254
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 1,037 1,386
Weighted campus users 16,565.50 16,853.50

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.14 Tons 0.12 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
0

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
25.13

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
25.84

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) No
Laboratory equipment No
Furniture No
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:
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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) :
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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?:
No

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?:
Yes

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?:
No

Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program (percentage, 0-100):
15

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:
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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:

Central Michigan University is home to an immensely dedicated recycling team. A main focus of the Recycling department is outreach & education. Currently,


A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
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A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
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A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:

Central Michigan University has multiple programs dedicated to diverting waste and reusing materials on campus and in the community. Within the purchasing department, Jeffery Peavy and Bradly Brookens are responsible for the resale and donation of surplus or used office supplies, infrastructural items, electronics, vehicles, machinery and other equipment. Each month an auction is held for the community, to allow individuals to purchase surplus and used items at extremely reduced rates. Additionally, every May, a large scale, everything must go, auction is held to clear out surplus inventory from the University storage space.


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):

Many of CMU's departments has set up electronic pages, encouraging students to buy, sell and trade textbooks, as well as other materials needed for corresponding classes. Forums, facebook pages and other social media platforms have been created by, both the University and students, to create the space for the exchange of educational materials between peers.


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):

All public space printers are set on eco-friendly settings, utilizing black and white/grey scale printing. Most printers print in grey instead of solid black to reduce the total amount of ink used per print job. Unless specified, all printers will print double-sided in order to reduce total amount of paper used per print job. Additionally, each student receives a pre-determined allotted amount of printing credits. Once used, the student is required to purchase additional credits. This policy is in an effort to encourage students to reduce the amount of printing they do during their academic studies.


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:

All course catalogs, schedules and directories are available through the CMU portol inline at cmich.edu. Students can drop/add and manage their schedules from CMU's online services. These initiatives drastically reduce the amount of paper/materials created for mandatory student use. Additionally, CMU offers program syllabus information, class information and other required informative materials for ALL classes offered at the University through blackboard as well as through outlook email services found within the CMU portol.


A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:

Luanne Goffnett runs a move-in, move-out program that allows students to procure items from peers for personal use, as well as create the opportunity for outward-bound students to donate living space items. These items are then displayed within Finch Fieldhouse as a free store for incoming students and community members.


A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.