Unity Environmental University
OP-17: Waste Reduction

Institution has implemented source reduction strategies to reduce total waste generation (garbage, recycling, and compost) per weighted campus user compared to a 2005 baseline. 

Total waste generation includes all materials recycled, composted, and disposed of as trash except construction, demolition, electronic, hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal and non-regulated chemical waste, which are covered in OP Credit 19: Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion, OP Credit 20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program, and OP Credit 21: Hazardous Materials Management. 

This credit applies to all institutions. 

Institutions earn maximum points 5 points available for this credit by reducing waste generation by 50 percent or more compared to a 2005 baseline.  Incremental points are available based on the percentage reduction achieved.  For example, an institution that reduced total waste generation by 25 percent would earn 2.5 points (half of the points available for this credit).  

STARS awards positive only points; points will not be deducted if waste generation increases rather than decreases during the time period. 

Points earned are calculated as follows. Please note that users do not have to calculate the number of points earned themselves; points earned will be calculated automatically when the data listed under Section 5: Reporting Fields is entered in the online reporting tool.  

Points Earned = 10 × { [ (A/B) - (C/D) ] / (A/B) }

A = Total waste generation [garbage + recycling + compost] in the 2005 baseline year

B = Weighted campus users in the 2005 baseline year

C = Total waste generation [garbage + recycling + compost] in the performance year (most recent year for which data are available)

D = Weighted campus users in the performance year (most recent year for which data are available)

Timeframe

Performance Period  

Report the most recent annual waste generation data available.  Institutions may choose the annual start and end dates that work best with the data they have (e.g. fiscal or calendar year), as long as data are reported from a consecutive 12-month period. 

Report population figures from the same time period as the waste generation data.  Institutions may use an annual average for each population group or the fall figures reported to IPEDS. 

Baseline Year

Report data from the 2005 baseline year.  Institutions may choose the start and end dates that work best with the data they have (e.g. fiscal or calendar year) as long as data are reported from a consecutive 12-month period that includes at least one month in 2005.  

Report population figures from the same time period as the waste generation data.  Institutions may use an annual average for each population group or the fall figures reported to IPEDS. 

If an institution does not have 2005 data, it may either:

a)      Estimate 2005 data using a trend line based on at least three years worth of data,

or

b)     Estimate conservatively (i.e. estimate that performance has not changed between the baseline and performance year).  Following this approach, an institution would not be able to claim points during its first STARS submission, but would be able to use its previously estimated baseline for subsequent submissions. 

Some of the 2005 baseline figures are based on multiple components.  If an institution has data for some, but not all, of the components of the baseline figure, it may follow either of the approaches above to estimate the missing data and then combine it with the available data. 

Sampling and Data Standards

To the extent possible, include all waste that was generated by the institution when reporting for this credit. 

If data for the entire campus and/or entire year are not available, institutions may use a representative sample.  When taking a sample, strive for consistency between the baseline and performance year. 

Waste figures measured in volume may be converted to weight using the conversion factors provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the College and University Recycling Council that are used for the RecycleMania competition.