| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.37 |
| Liaison | Beth Klein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 5, 2025 |
State University of New York at Cortland
OP-11: Materials Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Megan
Swing Energy and Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Sustainability Office |
11.1 Surplus and reuse programs
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s surplus program:
Surplus Property - The Property Control Office responsible for handling surplus equipment through the proper SUNY and NY State guidelines. No tagged College property should ever be disposed of by the department. Property disposal should always be done by, or in conjunction with the Property Control Office. When an item is no longer of use for a department it is indicated ready to be picked up through the work order system, WebTMA. Items include office furniture, filing cabinet, office table, chairs, and more. The items are collected by Facilities and are stored in Heating Plant or storage containers at Central Receiving. To request a recycled item a work order is placed again. For higher value items, such as technology and vehicles are put into the statewide SUNY system property control. Vehicles could be used in their entirety or as parts at other New York State universities.
Does the institution have or participate in a reuse program through which employees and/or students can donate personal items for redistribution?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s reuse program:
SUNY Cortland Clothing Closet - The SUNY Cortland Clothing Closet, Dragons Dress for Success, was created in Spring 2019 by the Student Government Association (SGA). The service is offered by SGA with support from Career Services and the SUNY Cortland Cupboard. Students in need of professional clothing for internships, student teaching and job interviews are encouraged to stop by the Clothing Closet. Donations of professional clothing that current, clean, and in good condition for students to use at job interviews, internships, and student teaching.
Cortland ReUse, end of semester donations - End of the Spring 2024 semester marked the second year of a partnership between the university and community nonprofit Cortland ReUse is giving those residence hall leftovers a new purpose. This is the second year they’ve helped collect donations. During the collection, industrial laundry bins placed in residence halls welcome almost all items that students may leave behind when the school year ends. Cortland ReUse took anything the students think would be useful to someone else, even if they don’t fit into the nonprofit’s normal operations, including:
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Nonperishable food. ReUse uses the food to first help restock the SUNY Cortland Cupboard food pantry, then gives the remainder to Seven Valleys Food Rescue and Cortland County Mutual Aid.
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Clothing, linen and textiles. Some clothes may be sold at ReUse, with the rest given to Thrifty Shopper and other groups that help serve the local homeless population. Bedding and pillows go to Mutual Aid.
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Foam bed toppers.
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Rough shape rags. Even the most worn-down fabrics can still find a use at the SPCA, where they make the furry residents quite comfortable and happy.
The only request to students is to be sure not to include any perishable items in the donations. Other than that, these donations will be doing good long after the original owners graduate.
Alger Hall Furniture with the Reuse Network - The Reuse Network worked with SUNY Cortland to keep used but usable furniture, from Alger Hall that is under renovation, out of the landfill. The Reuse Network provides the furnishings to nonprofits across the U.S. and around the world for disaster relief and economic development.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.2 Single-use disposable plastics program
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s composting program:
Does the institution have or participate in a reusable container program designed to reduce the use of single-use disposable plastic?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s reusable container program:
Has the institution eliminated the on-site use of at least one form of single-use disposable plastic?:
Has the institution eliminated the on-site sales and distribution of all single-use disposable plastic food containers, utensils, and beverage cups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s single-use disposable plastics program:
Single-use disposable plastic bags have been eliminated from dining locations and the campus store.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.3 Electronic waste management
Does the institution have or participate in a program designed to collect e-waste from students for recycling and/or preparation for reuse? (required):
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s e-waste collection programs:
All surplus computers and electronics in poor or scrap condition are recycled using certified electronics recyclers. At no time are these items to be placed in the trash. As a general rule, if it has a plug, recycle it. Please call the property control office for more details or to request a pickup.
Does the institution use an e-waste recycler that is certified to a qualifying standard?:
Standard to which the institution’s e-waste recycler is certified:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.4 Hazardous waste management and disclosure
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s hazardous waste management program or protocol:
We are classified as a very small quantity generator of hazardous waste. All new chemicals purchased that are not already on campus must be approved by EHS. We encourage the Chemistry and Biology departments to buy only the quantities needed so that we do not end up with expired and not needed waste that becomes hazardous waste.
Does the institution publish information about the specific types of hazardous waste it generates and how they are disposed of, recycled, and/or prepared for reuse?:
Online resource that provides information about the specific types of hazardous waste managed by the institution:
Document that provides information about the specific types of hazardous waste managed by the institution:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.