Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 83.66
Liaison Philippe Lemarchand
Submission Date Dec. 2, 2024

STARS v3.0

Technological University Dublin
OP-11: Materials Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.25 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

11.1 Surplus and reuse programs

Does the institution have a surplus program through which institution-owned items that are no longer needed are stored for eventual sale, donation, or reuse?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s surplus program:
Furnitures from 4 TU Dublin buildings sold in 2021 were assessed for re-use, identified and moved to buildings on TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus. Schedule provided.
 
UniGreenScheme, a UK-based asset resale service, collaborated with the Lead of the Physical to Life Sciences Research Hub at TU Dublin, to manage the disposal of bulky equipment. The process involved providing UniGreenScheme with a list of equipment designated for recycling, including details such as purchase dates. UniGreenScheme then assessed the items, assigned credit values, and coordinated their collection and transportation.
 
TU Dublin Laptop Loan Scheme also enables student to avail a laptop for free (Ref 1).
 
URL References:
Ref 1: https://www.tudublin.ie/for-students/student-services-and-support/financial-support/laptop-loan-scheme/ 

Does the institution have or participate in a reuse program through which employees and/or students can donate personal items for redistribution?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s reuse program:
TU Dublin actively promotes sustainability through initiatives like the Hats, Socks, and Gloves Appeal (Ref 1), organized by the Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Service. This campaign encourages the donation of warm clothing items, which are then distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness, thereby fostering a culture of reuse and community support.
 
URL References:
Ref 1: https://www.tudublin.ie/for-students/student-services-and-support/student-wellbeing/pastoral-care-chaplaincy/news-events/hats-socks-and-gloves-appeal.html 

The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator OP 11.1:
1

11.2 Single-use disposable plastics program

Does the institution have or participate in a composting program that accepts compostable alternatives to single-use disposable plastic?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s composting program:

Some of TU Dublin food service providers provide compostable alternatives to single-use disposable plastic with products certified against the “EN 13432 Certified Bioplastics” standard. Compostable alternatives to single-use disposable plastic can then be disposed of in the organic bins collected by our waste service provider (Panda).

Most alternative to single-use disposable plastic are paper based (e.g. paper cups). Dry paper-based waste must be disposed in the paper bins (not the compostable bins).


Does the institution have or participate in a reusable container program designed to reduce the use of single-use disposable plastic?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s reusable container program:

Our food service providers offer reusable containers such as 1) the "Bring your own cup" programme to serve hot drinks at a discounted price, 2) compostable plates and paper-cups, 3) all take-away containers provided are compostable (paper-base), 4) all take-away cutleries ar wooden-based, 5) food served on campus is served in washables dishes (ceramic plates, glasses, cutleries)


Has the institution eliminated the on-site use of at least one form of single-use disposable plastic?:
Yes

Has the institution eliminated the on-site sales and distribution of all single-use disposable plastic food containers, utensils, and beverage cups?:
No

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s single-use disposable plastics program:

On Tallaght campus, the use of single-use plastic disposable containers was replaces with single-use biodegradable (compostable) containers.


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator OP 11.2:
0.75

11.3 Electronic waste management

Does the institution have or participate in a program designed to collect electronic waste (e-waste) from employees for recycling and/or preparation for reuse?:
No

Does the institution have or participate in a program designed to collect e-waste from students for recycling and/or preparation for reuse? (required):
No

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s e-waste collection programs:
---

Does the institution use an e-waste recycler that is certified to a qualifying standard?:
Unsure

Standard to which the institution’s e-waste recycler is certified:
---

The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator OP 11.3:
0

11.4 Hazardous waste management and disclosure

Does the institution have a hazardous waste management program or protocol that includes measures to minimize or reduce the use of hazardous materials?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s hazardous waste management program or protocol:
Relating to radioactive material and sources of ionising radiation: TU Dublin have a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) who liaises with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Ref 1). There is also a Radiation Protection Advisory Committee (RPAC) (Ref 2).
 
URL References:
Ref 1: https://www.tudublin.ie/for-staff/safety-health-welfare/safety-hub/radiological-safety/ 
Ref 2: https://www.tudublin.ie/media/website/for-staff/health-and-safety/documents/Radiation-Protection-Advisory-Committee---Terms-of-Reference-v3---Feb-2023_2024-04-29_7-01.pdf 

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?:
No

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:

Points earned for indicator OP 11.4:
0.50

Optional documentation

Notes about the information provided for this credit:
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Additional documentation for this credit:
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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.