Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 27.06
Liaison Claire Jackson
Submission Date March 8, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Alabama in Huntsville
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.11 / 8.00 Taylor Myers
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities and Operations
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 167.23 Tons 167.23 Tons
Materials composted 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 4,561.83 Tons 4,561.83 Tons
Total waste generated 4,729.06 Tons 4,729.06 Tons

A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year Oct. 1, 2016 Sept. 30, 2017
Baseline Year Oct. 1, 2016 Sept. 30, 2017

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):
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Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 1,614 1,614
Number of employees resident on-site 5 5
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 7,150 7,150
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 1,415 1,415
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 0 0
Weighted campus users 6,828.50 6,828.50

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.69 Tons 0.69 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:
3.54

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
3.54

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 No
Cooking oil Yes
Plant materials No
Animal bedding No
White goods (i.e. appliances) No
Laboratory equipment No
Furniture No
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste No
Scrap metal Yes
Pallets No
Tires No
Other (please specify below) Yes

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

Used Motor oil


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) :
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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):
35

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:

Signage accompanies most recycling bins. 4 new bins were purchased for heavily traffics areas. These bins are dual trash/recycling bins with clear signage integrated into the bin. The hope is to encourage recycling while minimising contamination.


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:

Signage accompanies most bins. Waste Audits were performed in 7 different buildings on campus to determine how many recyclables are entering into the landfill stream.


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

In February 2018, Waste Audits were performed in 7 different buildings on campus to determine how many recyclables are entering into the landfill stream.


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

We have a minimum order for all office supplies. This reduces packaging as well as deliveries.


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

Useable items are displayed Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Central Receiving Building, located next to the Physical Plant Building. Items are disposed of by auction or surplus bid.


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

The Green Move Out is a campus-wide annual event run by the Residence Hall Association. This started on April 24th, 2018, as incentive program design to encourage to students in residence halls to recycle items and donate items no longer in use.


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

In partnership with Barnes and Noble, the company who runs our bookstore, we collect unwanted text books for reuse and redistribution. This takes place at the end of each semester. Boxes are placed throughout campus in high traffic areas.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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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.