| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.67 |
| Liaison | Daryl Pierson |
| Submission Date | April 8, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Portland State University
OP-23: Waste Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.89 / 3.00 |
Tony
Hair Waste Management Coordinator Campus Sustainability Office |
Materials diverted from the solid waste landfill or incinerator:
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
A brief description of programs, policies, infrastructure investments, outreach efforts, and/or other factors that contributed to the diversion rate, including efforts made during the previous three years:
PSU Recycles! is dedicated to creating a sustainable campus by reducing waste, expanding recycling opportunities, and increasing campus recycling and composting rates. During FY14, PSU Recycles! was responsible for diverting over 506 tons of paper, cardboard, plastic and metal; 34 tons of glass, 253 tons of organic material, and 19 tons of other materials such shredded paper, rigid plastics, and Styrofoam from the landfill.
Partnership with Sequential Bio-fuels to recycle all waste cooking oil into bio-diesel. Every gallon of waste cooking oil recycled into bio-diesel prevents 16 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released in to the atmosphere. Over 3 tons of cooking oil was recycled in FY2014.
Food waste is collected for composting in all dining locations, including several post-consumer stations in Viking Food Court.
A residential composting program was started in December 2014.
Food waste in many department break-rooms is collected for composting.
Toner cartridge recycling is offered across campus.
Styrofoam, batteries, and electronics are all collected for special recycling through the work order system.
The PSU ReUse Room redistributes donated office and school supplies for free to the campus community, and the Surplus Property Program redistributes reusable office and classroom furniture to PSU departments or the community. Approximately an estimated 5.6 tons of these items were saved for reuse in FY2014.
Chuck-it-for-Charity program collects reusable items from departing students each term and donates them to charitable organizations. In FY2014, 9.1 tons of reusable items were donated from the program.
Cardboard and Styrofoam recycling collection receptacles are provided during student move-in, and the waste hauler provides extra pickups.
Tray-less dining in Victors Dining Hall reduces food waste by 25-30% per person.
Water Bottle Refilling Stations around campus allow users to easily refill their water bottles with filtered water, reducing waste associated with purchased throw-away plastic bottles.
A brief description of any food donation programs employed by the institution:
Leftover (pre-served) or surplus food goes to Blanchett House Charity.
A brief description of any pre-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:
All pre-consumer food waste is collected in the kitchens for composting.
A brief description of any post-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:
Food waste is collected for composting in all dining locations, including several post-consumer stations in Viking Food Court.
A residential composting program for students who live on campus was started in December 2014.
Food waste in many department break-rooms is collected for composting.
Does the institution include the following materials in its waste diversion efforts?:
| Yes or No | |
| Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers | Yes |
| Food donations | Yes |
| Food for animals | No |
| Food composting | Yes |
| Cooking oil | Yes |
| Plant materials composting | Yes |
| Animal bedding composting | No |
| Batteries | Yes |
| Light bulbs | Yes |
| Toner/ink-jet cartridges | Yes |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | Yes |
| Motor oil | --- |
| Tires | --- |
Other materials that the institution includes in its waste diversion efforts:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Performance year FY2014
Performance year FY2014
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.