Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.51
Liaison Kelsey Beal
Submission Date Oct. 31, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.84 / 8.00 Deborah Ferguson
Assistant Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 379.66 Tons 559.01 Tons
Materials composted 28.95 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 0.09 Tons 1.89 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 2,122.32 Tons 2,776.99 Tons
Total waste generated 2,531.02 Tons 3,337.89 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 Jan. 1, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018
Baseline Year Jan. 1, 2015 Dec. 31, 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):

Reportable information available during this time frame with similar metrics available for direct comparison. Reflects beginning of Single Stream Recycling Program, so comparable to current Year that reflects Single Stream/Deskside Recycling/and PreConsumer Food Waste Composting that was implemented in 2018
https://news.iu.edu/stories/2018/11/iupui/inside/01-tons-of-food-waste-diverted-from-landfill-composting-sustainability-initiative.html


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 2,400 1,686
Number of employees resident on-site 8 60
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 25,507 25,036
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 7,923 7,472
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 2,220 700
Weighted campus users 24,009.50 24,292.50

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.11 Tons 0.14 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
23.28

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
16.15

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
16.15

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 No
Tires Yes
Other (please specify below) Yes

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

Redwood reclaimed from parking garage gets new life as campus furniture https://news.iu.edu/stories/2018/04/iupui/inside/26-new-campus-furniture-arrives.html

Scrap redwood resurrected for IUPUI's newest building https://news.iu.edu/stories/2017/11/iupui/inside/09-redwood-dental-addition.html

Recycling IUPUI Banners into unique Tote Bags:PUP(People for Urban Progress) created a total of 50 tote bags and 20 drawstring backpacks from 622.1 square feet (35.85 lbs.) of mesh vinyl
https://www.facebook.com/IUPUI/videos/657843987962725/UzpfSTMzODM0ODkwNjIwMjI5NzoyMTc1MTY3MDgyNTIwNDYx/

The Campus Kitchen at IUPUI repurposes rescued food and turns into a healthy meal to serve the food insecure. Since 2014, CKIUPUI has rescued over 32,000 pounds (16 Tons) of food with the help of over 2,100 student volunteers who have served over 10,600 meals to those in need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=k0alVKkCN64

Bottle Cap to Benches Initiative - What started as a sustainability project for the 2015 Men’s NCAA Final Four turned into a campus wide model for repurposing with a passion! Through the Green Tree Plastics ABC Promise Partnership Program, the purpose of the program is to engage and educate children of all ages on the value of a resource, like a simple bottle cap, and how it can be repurposed into another useful material, such as a bench or picnic table for their school or community. From 2015 - 2017, the IUPUI campus collected over 5,300 pounds (2.65 Tons) of caps to supplement the collections of various local elementary to intermediate schools, a girl scout troop collecting to provide memorial benches for their local communities, and engaging with our own IUPUI Center for Young Children and their families achieving their own youth size picnic table.
http://archive.inside.iu.edu/features/stories/2016-09-28-bottle-cap-picnic-table-iupui.shtml


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) :
4.57 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):
0

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:

IUPUI has a standard single-stream recycling program across campus. We utilize consistent blue slim jim containers for recycling and grey/black containers for trash throughout all buildings. The bins include signage to assist with proper item identification and disposal. We also have visual shadowbox displays above the Recycling and Trash containers in our Retail Food Court area that provides a visual item identification placement. Our Waste Hauler does have a MRF facility and accepts a max contamination rate of 10%, and will reject loads of recyclables beyond that threshold. The recycling hauler provides feedback on any concerns or problems with any of our specific building locations that we can follow up on.


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:

Desk-side Recycling Program overview
• All individuals with office spaces or cubicles will be provided with a new, blue recycle bin and black, mini trash bin. The mini trash bin hangs off the side of the recycle bin and has a lid.
• Old desk-side trash bins and cardboard recycle boxes will be removed from your office space by CFS and replaced with the new system depicted above. We recommend shredding any necessary documents in your recycle bin before this transition.
• Previously, CFS emptied desk-side trash only and users were responsible for disposing of their own recyclables. As part of the new program, CFS will now empty and clean your recycle bin only on their normal waste schedule.
• Employees are responsible for their own mini trash bin, including disposing of their mini trash bin contents into a common trash bin found in hallways and break rooms. Employees should not request anyone else (e.g.: custodial staff, student workers, colleagues, etc.) empty their personal bin.
• The new desk-side waste management system is bagless. No bag liners will be placed in the desk-side recycle or mini trash bins. CFS will clean your recycle bin if it becomes dirty, and feel free to manage your mini trash bin as you see fit. Some folks bring a grocery bag from home, but some find they produce so little trash at their desk, there is no need for a bag.
• Every desk-side recycle and trash bin will come equipped with educational decals to inform users of what is and is not recyclable or trash. See attached for bin label examples.
• Recycle and trash bins found in common areas – hallways and break rooms – will not change. They will still be emptied daily and have a liner in the bin.

Educational Resources
• Check out this video (developed by Herron students!) that outlines recyclable vs trash items. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APs_yXDJf80
• See the attachments for a program overview and FAQ, as well as images of what your bin labels will look like.
• If you would like a representative from IUPUI Sustainability to present to your office, please email sustindy@iupui.edu. We’d be happy to visit!

Program rationale
• IUPUI’s average campus recycling rate is only 18%, the lowest among our peer institutions in the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, and Indianapolis is one of the most wasteful cities in the nation. Waste audits on campus have demonstrated up to 70% of campus waste can be recycled, so we have a long way to go! Office-dense buildings that have switched to the new desk-side recycling program have an average recycle rate of 40%+.
• In office settings, up to 90% of waste is recyclable. The desk-side recycling program matches the waste stream by providing bins of the correct size, reinforcing the idea that creating trash is a choice we can all avoid for the betterment of the economy, society, and planet.
• IUPUI used to throw away over 500,000 plastic bags that lined desk-side trash bins every year! Converting to a bagless desk-side system decreases the amount of waste generated by IUPUI and reduces the time needed to empty bins.

PreConsumer Composting Program Implemented in 2018:
In fall 2016, IUPUI and Butler University co-applied for a $50,000 grant for a commercial food waste pickup route. The funds were used to build the program and cover the costs of new green bins for food waste, a new dumpster at the Campus Center and recruiting new participants. Implemented in 2018, now every Campus Center outlet has one green food waste bin. Chartwells catering has three, which equals to about a dozen bins in use in the Campus Center during the day. Catering fills its 32-gallon bins two or three times a day. The cost of Ray's coming to the Campus Center once a week to empty the new food waste dumpster has gone down thanks to the Office of Sustainability's efforts and collaboration with Butler. The programs recently added Ivy Tech and Marian University to help share costs. Indianapolis Public Schools and hospitals like Eskenazi have expressed interest in joining as well. The composting initiative is another recycling initiative that requires Chartwells staff to think before throwing away.
https://news.iu.edu/stories/2018/11/iupui/inside/01-tons-of-food-waste-diverted-from-landfill-composting-sustainability-initiative.html

https://youtu.be/56LBdS5A4Ro

Recycling Pocket Guide: http://go.iu.edu//2c3w
We have just launched an IUPUI Recycling Pocket Guide, a handy resource to help you divert waste on campus ♻️ If you'd like to know how to recycle properly, what can and can't be recycled, and what to do with the items that can't be recycled on campus - this guide is a one-stop-shop for all your recycling needs! Check it out


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

Dumpster Dives are periodically performed as a teaching tool for staff, faculty and students. In the Fall of 2014 nearly 1,400 pounds of material from IUPUI dumpsters -- all headed for regular trash disposal -- were dropped onto tarps and checked out by students, faculty and staff wearing protective gear. Experts from Ray’s Trash Service, Inc., an IUPUI vendor, evaluated what the IUPUI team found. It turned out that 65 percent of what was dumped (over 900 pounds of trash) could have been recycled, including 575 pounds of bottles and cans, a little over 300 pounds of fiber and 35 pounds of various metal items. We continue to organize misc. dumpster dives, such as with the rollout of Deskside, we have performed follow up audits to continue to monitor and improve education and awareness of acceptable recycling materials. We are also currently participating in a CURC/Busch Systems Deskside assessment initiative to pilot and document the impact of our deskside collection system in a best practice study.


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

IUPUI units are encouraged to purchase equipment from Surplus when applicable before purchasing new.
Disposal and Redistribution of University Property
https://surplus.iupui.edu/policies.html

All IU Purchasing Policies:
https://www.indiana.edu/~purchase/policies/policies.php
Sustainable Purchasing Policy:
https://policies.iu.edu/policies/fin-purch-14-sustainable-purchasing/index.html

IU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:Why Sustainable Procurement at IU?
As we face global issues in economy, energy, climate change, equity, water and food, it is time that Indiana University, as a leading institute of higher education, move towards sustainability. The Indiana University Purchasing Department has been encouraging “green” purchasing over the years. Efforts are made in the areas of papers, cleaning products, furniture, carpets, and some food items, among others. It is a step-by-step progress towards moving Indiana University towards a sustainable campus.
https://www.indiana.edu/~purchase/sustainability/sustainability.php


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

https://surplus.iupui.edu/

he IUPUI Surplus department is dedicated to the management of redistribution, public auctions, and recycling of retired university property. Our goal is to facilitate this process in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Some examples of managed property includes office supplies, furniture, electronics (including printers, computers, and other types), medical, and dental equipment, automobiles, etc.


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):

One.IU.edu is Indiana University's Web-based application portal that provides a common front door to online services at all IU campuses. It is a one stop shop for all IU. Buy/Sell/Trade is a tool provided through One.IU.edu for listing anything in IU Classifieds:
Have something to buy or sell? Or need a roommate or tutor? Find all of this and more in the IU classifieds. IU Classifieds is the place to go for current Students, Staff and Faculty.


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):

IU Print is a global print platform that delivers the core engine for student printing and managed print services for organizations. IU Print looks to deliver a print platform which reduces cost, increases efficiency, is highly secure, and provides maximum flexibility.
Student printing: IU Print delivers printing for students across all campuses. The IU Print platform delivers printing, copying, and scanning functionality in a secure environment for all faculty, staff, and students. Students receive an allotment through the Student Technology Fee that can be used at various locations across all campuses.
https://kb.iu.edu/d/besp

*Improved Wireless Access: UITS continues to improve the speed and availability of its wireless network. Rather than carrying paper documents with you, bring your laptop to campus and have electronic access to all of your course materials.

IUanyWare is a client virtualization (CV) service available to Indiana University students, faculty, and staff. With IUanyWare, you can use a web browser or mobile app to run certain IU-licensed software applications without having to install them on your computer or mobile device. https://kb.iu.edu/d/bbbr

Green IT: Indiana University’s cutting edge information technology services and infrastructure make the university a global leader in information technology. As a global computing powerhouse, IU is utilizing new technology initiatives to reduce the university’s impact on the environment. From adopting “green” technology purchasing practices to establishing environmentally sound e-waste disposal procedures, IU is committed to creating a sustainable computing environment.
- University E-waste If you do not redistribute equipment within the university, contact your campus Surplus Store to arrange for transfer of all equipment. Surplus will determine whether the equipment is viable for resale, or should be recycled. IUPUI Surplus now has a hard drive shredder onsite.
- Energy Management http://greenit.iu.edu/energy/index.shtml
- Printing Reduction http://greenit.iu.edu/printing/index.shtml
http://greenit.iu.edu/

IU Knowledge Base:Conserve paper when printing https://kb.iu.edu/d/aqez

IU Course Management online tool (Canvas) minimizes paper and ink consumption: Canvas is IU's learning management system (LMS). Canvas includes most of the standard tools found in open source and commercial management systems (assignments, discussions, announcements, quizzes, syllabus, etc.) as well as enhanced tools and features for communication, collaboration, and assessment, including real-time web conferencing, a multimedia recorder, a Google Docs integration, outcomes and rubrics, and course analytics. All IU students, faculty, and staff can log into Canvas using their IU credentials or an IU Guest account. You can access Canvas at IU from a web browser (on a computer, smartphone, or tablet) or via the mobile apps distributed by Instructure.
https://canvas.iu.edu/lms-prd/gateway


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:

One.IU.edu is Indiana University's Web-based application portal that provides a common front door to online services at all IU campuses. One.IU.edu offers easier and more direct access to the multitude of services available for students, faculty, and staff. The goal for One.IU.edu is to create a virtual campus community -- a place to study, work, collaborate, and have fun!

Course catalogs and schedules are found online through the Office of the Registrar at: http://registrar.iupui.edu/schedule.html Students may also search for classes using One.IU.edu.

IU Course Management online tool (Canvas) minimizes paper and ink consumption: Canvas is IU's learning management system (LMS). Canvas includes most of the standard tools found in open source and commercial management systems (assignments, discussions, announcements, quizzes, syllabus, etc.) as well as enhanced tools and features for communication, collaboration, and assessment, including real-time web conferencing, a multimedia recorder, a Google Docs integration, outcomes and rubrics, and course analytics. All IU students, faculty, and staff can log into Canvas using their IU credentials or an IU Guest account. You can access Canvas at IU from a web browser (on a computer, smartphone, or tablet) or via the mobile apps distributed by Instructure.
https://canvas.iu.edu/lms-prd/gateway

One.IU.edu/IU Directory: All components of the directory - including individual and departmental contact information, campus information, and dialing instructions - are available at your fingertips.


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

IUPUI Housing and Residence Life (HRL) encourages students to reduce move-out waste in a couple of different ways. IUPUI HRL works with Goodwill and Gleaners Food Bank and has drop points for students to bring items (clothes, furniture, can goods, etc.) that can be donated to those organizations. Additionally, in the move-out meetings that each Resident Assistant (RA) has with their building/floor students are educated about the Goodwill and Gleaners programs and also encouraged to recycle items that cannot be donated.


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

Redwood reclaimed from parking garage gets new life as campus furniture https://news.iu.edu/stories/2018/04/iupui/inside/26-new-campus-furniture-arrives.html

Scrap redwood resurrected for IUPUI's newest building https://news.iu.edu/stories/2017/11/iupui/inside/09-redwood-dental-addition.html

Recycling IUPUI Banners into unique Tote Bags:PUP (People for Urban Progress) created a total of 50 tote bags and 20 drawstring backpacks from 622.1 square feet (35.85 lbs.) of mesh vinyl
https://www.facebook.com/IUPUI/videos/657843987962725/UzpfSTMzODM0ODkwNjIwMjI5NzoyMTc1MTY3MDgyNTIwNDYx/

The Campus Kitchen at IUPUI repurposes rescued food and turns into a healthy meal to serve the food insecure. Since 2014, CKIUPUI has rescued over 32,000 pounds (16 Tons) of food with the help of over 2,100 student volunteers who have served over 10,600 meals to those in need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=k0alVKkCN64

Bottle Cap to Benches Initiative - What started as a sustainability project for the 2015 Men’s NCAA Final Four turned into a campus wide model for repurposing with a passion! Through the Green Tree Plastics ABC Promise Partnership Program, the purpose of the program is to engage and educate children of all ages on the value of a resource, like a simple bottle cap, and how it can be repurposed into another useful material, such as a bench or picnic table for their school or community. From 2015 - 2017, the IUPUI campus collected over 5,300 pounds (2.65 Tons) of caps to supplement the collections of various local elementary to intermediate schools, a girl scout troop collecting to provide memorial benches for their local communities, and engaging with our own IUPUI Center for Young Children and their families achieving their own youth size picnic table.

http://archive.inside.iu.edu/features/stories/2016-09-28-bottle-cap-picnic-table-iupui.shtml


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:
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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.