Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 39.47
Liaison Kirk Hemphill
Submission Date March 1, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Florida Institute of Technology
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.73 / 8.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 470.35 Tons 759.71 Tons
Materials composted 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 5 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 1,310.40 Tons 1,719.90 Tons
Total waste generated 1,785.75 Tons 2,479.61 Tons

A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year May 1, 2015 April 30, 2016
Baseline Year May 1, 2014 April 30, 2015

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):

The university first started the recycling program in the late 2000's so Facilities Operations wanted to have the baseline as the year prior to major changes in the campus collection schedule. The university's fiscal year 2015 represents May 1, 2014 - April 30, 2015. Starting in the summer of 2015, the University completed a waste generation study with our refuse partner, Waste Management. From this study, the university was able to recognize significant savings and waste diversion improvement by "right sizing" containers and optimizing the collection schedule. This is why May 1, 2015 - April 30, 2016 was utilized as the performance year.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 1,573 1,729
Number of employees resident on-site 3 3
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 68 68
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 4,509 4,138
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 1,096 791
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 1,156 1,052
Weighted campus users 3,798.75 3,408.75

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.47 Tons 0.73 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
35.38

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
26.62

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
26.62

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 Yes
Furniture Yes
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste Yes
Scrap metal Yes
Pallets Yes
Tires Yes
Other (please specify below) No

A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
---

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) :
0 Tons

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?:
Yes

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?:
No

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):
45

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:

The university is attempting to reduce overall contamination rates by raising awareness through the campus Sustainability Office. Periodically, the Sustainability Office sends out bulletins on proper recycling and waste diversion across campus. Proper recycling is also outlined in the University Sustainability Guide that was distributed to all incoming students starting in the Fall 2016 semester. The Sustainability Office is also actively placing signs in strategic campus areas to identify proper recycling containers and materials.


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:

Periodically, the campus Sustainability Office sends out bulletins on proper recycling and waste diversion across campus. Proper recycling is also outlined in the University Sustainability Guide that was distributed to all incoming students starting in the Fall 2016 semester. The Sustainability Office is also actively placing signs in strategic campus areas to identify proper recycling containers and materials. In addition to the University Sustainability Guide, a voluntary Campus Sustainability Pledge has been created to encourage and entice more sustainable behavior.


A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:

The University periodically works with our refuse vendor, Waste Management, to verify disposal efforts are improving. Facilities Operations recently changed the color of the trash and recycling bags to take a color coded approach, making it easier to identify areas where there is a higher contamination rate.


A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):

N/A


A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:

The University's Property Administration Department oversees all surplus supplies and responsibly disposes of the materials via a third party vendor that meets the university's environmental certification requirements, or donates the materials to local non-profit groups.


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):

N/A


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):

In the fall of 2016, the university's Business and Retail Operations Department, along with IT, rolled out new printers and copiers across campus that now require ID card access to track and discourage printer overuse and abuse of supplies. This system has the ability to see what individuals are using the most paper to allow for behavioral change.


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:

N/A


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

FIT started the first campus wide, "Leave Green" initiative at the end of the spring 2016 semester. This initiative looked to capture the reusable materials that often end up in roll-off dumpsters, and adequately donate them to local community non-profits. During this initiative, the university donated over three box truck loads of goods, totaling over 9,000 lbs to community groups and non-profits.


A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:

The university has stations set up to collect batteries, aerosols and e-waste that are routinely collected and disposed of responsibly. The Office of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance also tracks and assists in collection efforts across campus.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

All data derived from the Office of Institutional Research, the campus Facilities Operations Department, campus Sustainability Office, and the Office of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance.


All data derived from the Office of Institutional Research, the campus Facilities Operations Department, campus Sustainability Office, and the Office of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance.

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.