Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.23
Liaison Michael Iversen
Submission Date Dec. 14, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

St. Lawrence University
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.13 / 8.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 204.82 Tons 254.83 Tons
Materials composted 90 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 15.75 Tons 1 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 601 Tons 568.07 Tons
Total waste generated 911.57 Tons 823.90 Tons

A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
---

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 Jan. 1, 2007 Dec. 30, 2007

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):

2007 is the year we adopted our Climate Action plan.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 2,364 2,182
Number of employees resident on-site 0 0
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 2,415.30 2,232
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 838 931.70
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 0 0
Weighted campus users 3,030.98 2,918.28

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.30 Tons 0.28 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
0

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
34.07

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
34.07

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 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
Tires Yes
Other (please specify below) No

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

n/a


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) :
15.75 Tons

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):
---

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 University employs a full time Materials Recycler. Part of this persons job is to "inspect the contents of the [waste receptacles]...determine if its trash or recycle material and load the [waste receptacles to the proper compactor]."


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:

The University has recently updated signage for all areas. The new signage provides actual pictures of the materials that are recyclable or compostable.


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

The full time materials recycler, the grounds manger, and the sustainability office conduct periodic spot checks of waste and recycling cans to check for contamination and to identify areas for improvement.


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:

The University's warehouse maintains space for surplus items. Departments may contact the warehouse manager to inquire about what supplies are available. Additionally, the University's Faculty/Staff Listserv is often used by departments or individuals to find and share surplus items. Personal items are also sold/bought or shared using the Listserv.


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):

The University hosts an annual ReUse program during move-out. Where students donate their gently used items rather than throw them away. The items are stored over the summer and sold to students, faculty, and staff at the start of the Fall semester. The proceeds from the sale are used to help cover the costs of the student run thrift store on campus. The store is open during the academic year and only serves the 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):

Information Technology has implemented a system to monitor all networked printers in an effort to track and report on campus printing. This is to limit the amount of unnecessary printing and wasted paper. The goal is to create a solution that will accommodate the majority of students, as well as honoring St. Lawrence's Green Initiatives. Students are able to monitor their usage of free sheets.


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 University has transitioned from using print media to online versions for publications such as the course catalog and employee directory.


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

Donation boxes are established in the common areas of residence halls and near all dumpsters. The employees of the student-run thrift store are trained as dumpster divers and items are sorted and stored in trailers and the thrift store until the 'huge fall sale'.


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

Mattresses and other furniture items are donated to various organizations in the local community when the University replaces them with new items.


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:
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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.