| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.89 |
| Liaison | Isabel Savransky |
| Submission Date | Nov. 14, 2023 |
Ontario Tech University
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.57 / 8.00 |
Isabel
Savransky Sustainability & Asset Planner Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 150.20 Metric tons | 255 Metric tons |
| Materials composted | 0 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 2.20 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 232.87 Metric tons | 292 Metric tons |
| Total waste generated | 385.27 Metric tons | 547 Metric tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility:
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | Jan. 1, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
| Baseline Period | Jan. 1, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
2015 was selected as the baseline year as this included waste data for both north and downtown building locations (based from the CSAO 2015/2016 utilities data)
2017 data was collected from data submitted to COU for 2017/2018; recycled materials included standard recycling, recycling of e-waste, metal, and light bulbs). Donated material included chairs and furniture as well as lights to Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit local groups (approx. 2.2 tonnes).
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 10,139 | 8,746 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 749 | 604 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 385 | 121.50 |
| Weighted campus users | 7,877.25 | 6,921.38 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.05 Metric tons | 0.08 Metric 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 |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| 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:
E-waste and batteries are also collected on campus to be disposed of correctly. With Terracycle Canada, Ontario Tech also collects stationary items (pens, markers, highlighters) to be recycled/reused.
Materials intended for disposal but subsequently recovered and reused on campus, performance year:
Does the institution use single stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program:
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
A brief description of the institution's waste-related behavior change initiatives:
In 2018, Ontario Tech U participated in a composting pilot to gauge feasibility of implementing composting on campus.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Recycling audits are performed across campus.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
Ontario Tech U follows the "Green Procurement of Goods and Services". Implemented in 2012, this document lays out waste minimizing strategies the institution must follow through various aspects of purchasing, including longer warranties to reduce waste, using eco-friendly materials, minimizing packaging and more.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Ontario Tech U uses assets management to reuse surplus supplies and materials. Furthermore, we handle e-waste surplus effectively, through the Office of Sustainability on campus.
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
The institution encourages peer-to-peer exchange and reuse through Thrift Swap. Although previously a bi-annually event held in Residence, we are in the process of implementing a permanent year long location, for this exchange program, for students, staff and faculty.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
Signage is located at printers across campus to encourage students and staff to limit printing waste. Computers default to double sided. Students are given a limited print credit, and additional use must be purchased.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
Course catalogs and descriptions, course schedules, information about the school and employees contact information can be found online. Students can access class powerpoint's and handouts online to prevent paper copies of notes. Online versions of some textbooks can also be purchased at the bookstore. As an institute of technology, electronic versions are encouraged.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
The Thrift Swap is a biannual event hosted by the Residence Life Team and the sustainability offices of Ontario Tech U and Durham College, which occurs in December before students living in residence leave for the holidays and in April during move-out . It is an opportunity for all students, staff and faculty to divert items from the landfill by swapping out, donating or recycling them. Items can be dropped off in the lobbies of both Simcoe and South Village Residences.
Items accepted:
batteries
clothing
disposable plastic bags
e-waste
non-perishable food items
paper
small household appliances
used books
writing utensils
Clothing and small household appliances will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association, non-perishable food items will be donated to the Campus Holiday Food Drive and all other items will be recycled through the proper channels.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Signage is located near garbage bins and recycling bins to remind staff to recycle appropriately. Waste audits are also completed on campus.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.