Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.05
Liaison Herbert Sinnock
Submission Date July 12, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Sheridan College (Ontario)
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 6.23 / 8.00 Wai Chu Cheng
Sustainability Coordinator
Office for 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 403.45 Tons 234.79 Tons
Materials composted 384.71 Tons 4.41 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 5.51 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 648.16 Tons 1,514.57 Tons
Total waste generated 1,441.83 Tons 1,753.77 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 April 1, 2016 March 31, 2017
Baseline Year April 1, 2013 March 31, 2014

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):

Sheridan has established a consistent baseline for all goals identified in Mission Zero and the Integrated Energy and Climate Master Plan (IECMP).

When Sheridan launched the Zero Waste initiative in 2012, the target of waste reduction was set to measure against the baseline year (initially 2011). However, since 2010/2011 waste data were not available, they could not be used as Sheridan's waste diversion baseline. Instead, in our 2015 STARS report, and going forward, we changed the baseline year to 2013/2014 FY because these data are more reliable and complete.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 801 466
Number of employees resident on-site 4 3
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 30,627 21,204
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 2,721 2,205
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 0 0
Weighted campus users 25,212.25 17,674

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.06 Tons 0.10 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
42.37

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
55.05

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
55.05

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) No
Laboratory equipment No
Furniture Yes
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste Yes
Scrap metal Yes
Pallets Yes
Tires No
Other (please specify below) Yes

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

Sheridan currently recycles writing instruments such as pens and markers with Terracycle and well as batteries. Additionally, retired waste bins have been donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Sheridan also recycles and safely disposes of: confidential shredded paper, cardboard, e-waste, batteries, wood, saw dust, used clothes, landscaping plant material.


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?:
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):
37

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:

The cleaning supervisor regularly conduct a walkabout around the campus to make sure the bins (or bin lids) and plastic bags are arranged in the correct order.


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:

Sheridan has implemented a Zero Waste program that includes a variety of waste minimization strategies. First, we provide standardized, colour-coded waste bins as sets of three in public areas across the campus. Second, visible signage has been installed at all the bin locations. There is also a price incentive. People who bring their own mugs when buying a hot drink will receive a discount. We also conduct a waste audit annually. Finally, our student volunteers help educate our community members the different ways to reduce waste (e.g. how to sort waste, using the water bottle re-filling stations and avoid plastic waste) at our Mission Zero waste booths through interactive games and informational displays.


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

Spinnaker Recycling Corp. was employed by Sheridan College’s Office for Sustainability to perform a detailed waste audit of the B-Wing and Cafeteria areas of the Trafalgar Campus in April 2013, with the goal of determining the current composition of the waste materials generated within these areas.

In October 16, 2014 Sheridan College’s Office for Sustainability performed an in-house waste audit along with two co-op students and one volunteer. This information informed us of common contaminants in each stream and will allow us to focus our outreach and education efforts on addressing the appropriate disposal of these materials. The Office for Sustainability have done subsequent waste audits.


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

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

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):
---

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):

Sheridan introduced its PaperCut program “Print Green” in 2013 with the addition of 60 new EPEAT registered multifunctional devices across all four campuses. The launch of the Green printers is part of the Zero Waste strategy to reduce the 26 million sheets of paper used annually to 10 million sheets by 2014. This goal was surpassed by the end of 2014.

The Green printers make it possible for students to print from any printer on campus from the global print queue. It has helped prevent students from printing jobs, forgetting them, and then reprinting which results in the unnecessary use of paper. Additionally, the Green printers are set to duplex printing by default to encourage using less paper. The printing rates are 4 cents per page and 3 cents per page for duplex jobs. The Print Green project has resulted in the reduction of paper waste, the number of pages printed, amount of toner and supplies used the amount of power consumed, and the cost of equipment leases and maintenance.


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:

The following paper-based processes have moved to online platforms:

1. Employee payroll
2. FCAPS registration
3. HR Forms
4. Employee Directory
5. Transfer credit requests (Advanced Standing)
6. Fee Invoices
7. Inter-departmental cost transfers

In 2014 Sheridan began publishing a digital version of the Alumni magazine called “Ovation.”
https://www.sheridancollege.ca/alumni/news/digital-ovation.aspx. The student newspaper, The Sheridan Sun is also only online now.


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

In line with Sheridan’s Zero Waste initiative, Residence has implemented garbage bins, recycling bins, and organic waste bins in every suite. Residence coordinators plan to provide educational material on proper waste disposal. Additional garbage and recycling bins are placed in Residence during move-in/move-out. A community donation bin for used clothing, electronics, kitchen appliances etc. have been also been provided.


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

Sheridan has introduced new refillable water fountain stations throughout the campuses in order to encourage students, faculty, staff, and visitors to refill their water bottles rather than purchasing single-use plastic water bottles. Each of the water fountains has an energy-efficient refrigeration and filtration station with a “Green Ticker” that counts how many 20-ounce water bottles have been saved from landfill. The bottle filler is touch-less, sensor activated, fills three times the rate of a standard water fountain and shuts off after 20 seconds to prevent waste.

High efficiency hand dryers have been installed in some of the washrooms at Trafalgar and Davis and all of the washrooms at HMC to replace paper towel dispensers.


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.