| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 63.29 |
| Liaison | Samuel Crowl |
| Submission Date | Feb. 20, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ohio University
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.15 / 8.00 |
Andrew
Ladd Recycling & Zero Waste Manager Recycling & Refuse |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 1,461.85 Tons | 1,333.68 Tons |
| Materials composted | 960.51 Tons | 497.15 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 300.68 Tons | 291.95 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 2,130.40 Tons | 2,359.81 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 4,853.44 Tons | 4,482.59 Tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
N/A
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | July 1, 2016 | June 30, 2017 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2011 | June 30, 2012 |
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):
FY2012 is the first year for which The University is confident in our relative accuracy of data, though FY17 is the first entire 12 month period in which the recycling collection was weighed in-truck.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 7,606 | 7,523 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 29 | 20 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 5 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 24,654 | 20,622 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 3,823 | 3,498 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 3,573 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 20,591.75 | 19,975.75 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.24 Tons | 0.22 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
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) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
E-Waste, Textiles, Styrofoam, Light bulbs, Batteries, Mattresses, Carpet, Books, Confidential records, Theater set wood, reusable items of all kinds, etc.
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) :
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?:
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?:
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?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program (percentage, 0-100):
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:
Continuous outreach and education through events, email blasts, press releases, staff and student training, signs, electronic and physical info graphics, etc. Also quarterly waste audits and consistent maintenance of recycling/landfill locations including on the spot decontamination as needed.
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:
Ohio University was the co-developer of RecycleMania and is three time national diversion champion in the Game Day Recycling Challenge. Other efforts include community wide Move Out diversion programs, Move In education with every student and an ongoing conversion of systems to pair a 1 gallon mini-bin for trash with a 7 gallon desk side bin for recycling.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
We perform periodic waste "recovery" audits, pulling all waste from the dumpsters and recycling from a representative location to determine use and recycling rates and compare to after proper sorting rates.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
Single use styrofoam is a prohibited item on campus. Operations across campus have gone to electronic communications to minimize paper use, All chemical purchases must be made and accounted for with our Bobcat Buy software system. Bobcat Buy is available for all academic related purchases as well and provides preferred vendors who have vetted, in part, on sustainability criteria.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Surplus is charged with administering the disposition of surplus/excess property which complies with applicable laws.
Any department which declares as excess state or university property will contact the Surplus Management Department. The property will be removed from the department for disposition either through transfer to another University department or public sale. See: Procedure for Disposition of Surplus/Excess Property Procedure No.55.071
Surplus Management has reusable items available to university departments at The Ridges Building # 9 and can be purchased for a very nominal fee. The warehouse is open from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
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):
In addition to the Re-use store indicated in the Surplus description above, Campus Recycling maintains "free supply" shelves in high traffic locations across campus. Binders, books, office and school supplies are set out for anyone to have and reuse. Campus Recyclign also maintains a "free stuff"link on our webpage making such items as tables, chairs, desks, lamps, etc. available to the public and campus community.
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):
Departments across campus are being progressively converted to third party owned printers and copiers. Black and white printing costs the department $.025 and color costs $.25.
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:
Communication to parents, students, staff and faculty are accomplished through multiple newsletters and online resources. These include but are not limited to communications from the President and Dean of Students, Orientation, Move-In and Move-out guides, internal news publication and special event emails. Course catalogs, factbooks, directories and other resources are available electronically.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
There are multiple drop-off locations for reusable goods (students are offered flyers outlining what qualifies as “reusable goods”) at every residence hall, both indoors and outdoors. RAs and other volunteers are equipped to assist in locating drop-off programs. Food Donation Sites are also available in each residence hall. Students can drop off non-perishable food items left over from the semester that will be donated to local food pantries. Additionally the University works with a dozen plus non-profit organizations and the City government to establish off campus drop off location, pick up schedules and other systems to donate and distribute Move-Out related items.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Our catering and events have moved to eliminate disposable plastic items and replace with the new norm of 100% reusable or 100% compostable. Athletic tailgates and University sponsored events work with each invited vendor to increase reusable options and prohibit non-recyclable or non-compostable items. Surplus department captures reusable items for re-purposing on campus or resale. Construction and design carefully considers reuse and salvage in every project.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Population data is from Institutional Research for FY17. FY17 recycling and landfill data from Athens Hocking Recycling Center provided by Crissa Cummings on January 22, 2018. Compost data provided by Scott Blower, Groundskeeper and Compost Facility Manager, in August, 2017. reuse.
We’re always looking for new ways to increase our sustainability and reduce food waste. We also value student input; in fact, the Culinary Services Development Committee (CSDC) is a student-led group that helps us to evaluate sustainability-related ideas and initiatives. Our recent reusable bags initiative, in which all 2013-2014 residential students on a meal plan were provided with a reusable bag free of charge, was borne out of CSDC. We encourage all campus students to join this committee and let their voice be heard.
Population data is from Institutional Research for FY17. FY17 recycling and landfill data from Athens Hocking Recycling Center provided by Crissa Cummings on January 22, 2018. Compost data provided by Scott Blower, Groundskeeper and Compost Facility Manager, in August, 2017. reuse.
We’re always looking for new ways to increase our sustainability and reduce food waste. We also value student input; in fact, the Culinary Services Development Committee (CSDC) is a student-led group that helps us to evaluate sustainability-related ideas and initiatives. Our recent reusable bags initiative, in which all 2013-2014 residential students on a meal plan were provided with a reusable bag free of charge, was borne out of CSDC. We encourage all campus students to join this committee and let their voice be heard.
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.