Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.89
Liaison Ann Drevno
Submission Date Jan. 25, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Saint Mary's College of California
OP-23: Waste Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 3.00 Michael Viola
Director of Facilities Services
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Materials diverted from the solid waste landfill or incinerator:
335.89 Metric tons

Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
418.98 Metric tons

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:

As of 2015, the hire of our campus Sustainability Coordinator has resulted in Campus Waste Plan (2015-2018) that has resulted in more streamlined (coordinated, convenient) bins and signage in our residence halls and food services. We will continue to invest in infrastructure for our grounds and admin/office spaces, while providing educational outreach. Additionally, our new vendor, Republic Services, has provided additional compost and recycling bins for our existing alcoves as well as in our food services/residential spaces.

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Prior to 2013, SMC's waste/recycling vendor did not weigh any waste or recycling. Starting in 2013, SMC retained Mt. Diablo Recycling as their new waste management/recycling vendor. The following is a summary of SMC's beginning waste action plan:
-Deliver a covered 40 yard recycling Debris Box to to be placed next to compactor on site for weekly pickup or as needed.
-Do inventory on campus for all recycling containers on site at all site locations.
-Deliver 96 gallon recycling containers for each entrance to all buildings on campus.
-Place recycling crates for town house residents.
-Place 96/64 gallon recycling toters next to each garbage bin area as needed for recycling.
Deliver Mt. Diablo Recycling marketing materials for capus staff and students.
-Conduct meetings, trainings and presentations regarding The Recycling efforts for St. Mary's College students, staff, and all janitorial staff as needed.
-Collaborate with everybody on site as well as ourselves at Mt. Diablo Recycling so all interested parties understand our goals and have the ability to achieve those goals by working together.


A brief description of any food donation programs employed by the institution:

Sodexo, our food provider, works with the Monument Crisis Center on a handful of occasions a year to donate unused food.


A brief description of any pre-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:

Sodexo utilizes "LeanPath", to reduce organic waste through the use of the LeanPath tracking tool. LeanPath is a Sodexo approved supplier that helps Sodexo track and measure its food waste through the use of a food waste measurement tool.


A brief description of any post-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:

At our disposal stations (at our main dining hall and at our cafe), we updated all signage and included a shadow box that illustrates what items go where. Consequently, we are for the first time composting post-consumer food waste on campus, and successfully doing so based off of visual audits. Also, we provided 2-3 weeks of training at the bin to start the academic year during all 4 meals.


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 No
Furniture Yes
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste Yes
Scrap metal Yes
Pallets Yes
Motor oil Yes
Tires Yes

Other materials that the institution includes in its waste diversion efforts:

Landscape clippings reused onsite as mulch throughout the campus.


Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

For additional information on SMCs Waste Diversion and Recycling efforts, please visit the website link here: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sustainability/greening-our-campus/waste-and-recycling


For additional information on SMCs Waste Diversion and Recycling efforts, please visit the website link here: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sustainability/greening-our-campus/waste-and-recycling

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.