Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.62
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date March 7, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Cornell University
OP-T2-42: Move-In Waste Reduction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.25 / 0.25 Spring Buck
R5 Manager
Facilities Operations
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a program to reduce residence hall move-in waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the program:

This August, waste on Move-In Day was reduced by ensuring proper sorting of recyclables, compost and landfill and by eliminating the need to supply volunteers with bottled water.

For the second year, a trial program for sorting of waste from the residence halls was performed, in partnership with our waste hauler and our county recycling facility. The trial involved running all our waste from move-in day through a waste diversion line at our county facility. Approximately 50% of all waste collected was recycled.

Members of the student orientation group monitored dumpsters around residence halls with high numbers of new students, providing direction and assistance in breaking down cardboard boxes and directing students and families on recycling practices.

Additionally, student volunteers worked closely with more than two dozen fall opening events to ensure recycle, landfill, and compost was offered. Student volunteers were present at these events to monitor waste stations and to educate participants on composting and recycling on our campus.

Additionally, all Orientation volunteers and new students, approximately 5000 students, received metal reusable water bottles. Orientation volunteers work hard to help move belongings into buildings and this gift eliminated the need to provide bottled water, therefore greatly reducing waste created.


The website URL where information about the program is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Additional collection containers for cardboard are placed at each residence hall, custodial staff work additional hours to assist with material collection and direction of students and families in proper recycling of materials, and recycling information is provided during orientation and with tabling on move-in day.

Campus Life coordinated with our waste hauler and county recycle center for all "move-in" dumpster waste to be collected by one truck, and then sorted in the County's waste diversion line.


Additional collection containers for cardboard are placed at each residence hall, custodial staff work additional hours to assist with material collection and direction of students and families in proper recycling of materials, and recycling information is provided during orientation and with tabling on move-in day.

Campus Life coordinated with our waste hauler and county recycle center for all "move-in" dumpster waste to be collected by one truck, and then sorted in the County's waste diversion line.

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.