| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.81 |
| Liaison | Kelli O'Day |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
University of California, Davis
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.84 / 8.00 |
Sue
Vang Engagement and Zero Waste Program Manager Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Parts 1 and 2. Waste per person
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 1,192 Tons | 1,699 Tons |
| Materials composted | 13,108 Tons | 8,222 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 647 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 6,774 Tons | 9,425 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 21,721 Tons | 19,346 Tons |
If reporting post-recycling residual conversion, provide:
---
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
| Baseline Period | Jan. 1, 2005 | Dec. 31, 2005 |
If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:
We have elected to use a baseline from fiscal year 2005-06 in order to better demonstrate as much as possible of the long story of waste reduction, reuse, and diversion efforts on campus over the past two decades.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 10,491 | 5,114 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 340 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 34,008 | 26,255 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 11,443 | 9,182 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 37,051 | 27,856.25 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.59 Tons | 0.69 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
15.59
Part 3. Waste diverted from the landfill or incinerator
68.81
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
68.81
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 |
| Electronics | 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) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
UC Davis washes and reuses gravel for animal bedding on campus (567 tons in Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The campus also recycled 9.94 tons of used gloves and 33.33 tons of hardbound books in the last fiscal year.
Optional Fields
Active Recovery and Reuse
612
Tons
Recycling Management
Yes
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Contamination and Discard Rates
---
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
---
Programs and Initiatives
Aggie Green Pledge is an incentive-based behavior change program managed by the UC Davis Office of Sustainability. Participants can pledge to improve their waste habits (e.g. learn to properly sort, pack a zero waste lunch, reduce paper waste) and receive prizes each week they visit the Aggie Green Pledge table at the campus Farmers Market during every Fall and Spring quarter.
Quarterly themes from the MyLastTrash campaign encourage users to shift to reusable items instead of choosing single-use items: cups, bags, straws, napkins, and utensils. Participants take a pledge to use reusable items, and are rewarded with that specific reusable item. Each campaign also includes communications such as LCD screens, napkin holder advertisements in the Dining facilities, and bulletin board content.
RecycleMania is an annual nationwide competition to encourage waste diversion and reduction between college universities. Weekly rankings were shared online during the 2018 competition to encourage improved rates and behavior change. The campus also participates every fall in the annual GameDay Recycling Challenge to encourage more waste diversion and reduction during home football games.
Clear and accessible signage can help promote behavior change. The campus recently updated its general waste signage after allowing users to vote on one of two designs. These new signs were placed throughout campus buildings indoors during the summer and fall of 2019, and will soon be added to the tops of recycling toters outdoors.
The residence halls also have sorting signs on all waste bins for residents to have a reference as to what goes in each bin. Smaller bins (i.e. desk side bins and res hall room bins) have labels identifying which waste stream it is. In addition, a waste diversion guide is hung on each residence hall room bulletin board which has specific details on waste diversion and sorting for that building. It gives the locations of all waste bins for res hall room occupants to sort their room waste into as well as a list of acceptable items. The waste diversion guides are accessible on the website as well.
In addition, Student Housing and Dining Services staff have access to a staff specific waste sorting guide that is given to them during onboarding and is also accessible on the website.
Quarterly themes from the MyLastTrash campaign encourage users to shift to reusable items instead of choosing single-use items: cups, bags, straws, napkins, and utensils. Participants take a pledge to use reusable items, and are rewarded with that specific reusable item. Each campaign also includes communications such as LCD screens, napkin holder advertisements in the Dining facilities, and bulletin board content.
RecycleMania is an annual nationwide competition to encourage waste diversion and reduction between college universities. Weekly rankings were shared online during the 2018 competition to encourage improved rates and behavior change. The campus also participates every fall in the annual GameDay Recycling Challenge to encourage more waste diversion and reduction during home football games.
Clear and accessible signage can help promote behavior change. The campus recently updated its general waste signage after allowing users to vote on one of two designs. These new signs were placed throughout campus buildings indoors during the summer and fall of 2019, and will soon be added to the tops of recycling toters outdoors.
The residence halls also have sorting signs on all waste bins for residents to have a reference as to what goes in each bin. Smaller bins (i.e. desk side bins and res hall room bins) have labels identifying which waste stream it is. In addition, a waste diversion guide is hung on each residence hall room bulletin board which has specific details on waste diversion and sorting for that building. It gives the locations of all waste bins for res hall room occupants to sort their room waste into as well as a list of acceptable items. The waste diversion guides are accessible on the website as well.
In addition, Student Housing and Dining Services staff have access to a staff specific waste sorting guide that is given to them during onboarding and is also accessible on the website.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
General waste audit assessments are conducted for different facilities as part of an evaluation process. The assessment process includes evaluating the occupants’ waste disposal behavior and noting contamination or issues with the waste diversion program in place at those facilities, as well as collecting data on waste diversion and landfill contamination.
The Office of Sustainability conducted a whole building audit of Mrak Hall, an administrative building, in September 2018 and made several building-specific recommendations and changes based on those results. It also conducted a series of waste audits in the 24-Hour Study Room of Peter J. Shields Library during the first half of finals week during Winter Quarter 2019 (March 17-20, 2019) when the 24-Hour Study Room experiences heaviest usage. Outdoor waste audits were conducted at one location outside of the Coffee House over the course of several months (from December 2017 to May 2018) to see if signage made an impact of waste diversion. One-time audits were conducted at nine different locations from June 28 to August 1, 2019 to assess general container recycling efforts. Waste sorting is also performed for the annual Whole Earth Festival every May to evaluate the success of a zero waste event.
Student Housing and Dining Services conducts quarterly front-of-house food waste audits which has patrons sort their waste into edible food waste, non-edible food waste (i.e. banana peels, chicken bones), liquid waste, and napkin waste. The data collected is divided by the number of patrons that participated and the results are calculated to show waste per person and are displayed in the dining facility the following week. The Student Housing and Dining Services Zero Waste Team conduct special tabling events to educate patrons on how to reduce food waste.
The Office of Sustainability conducted a whole building audit of Mrak Hall, an administrative building, in September 2018 and made several building-specific recommendations and changes based on those results. It also conducted a series of waste audits in the 24-Hour Study Room of Peter J. Shields Library during the first half of finals week during Winter Quarter 2019 (March 17-20, 2019) when the 24-Hour Study Room experiences heaviest usage. Outdoor waste audits were conducted at one location outside of the Coffee House over the course of several months (from December 2017 to May 2018) to see if signage made an impact of waste diversion. One-time audits were conducted at nine different locations from June 28 to August 1, 2019 to assess general container recycling efforts. Waste sorting is also performed for the annual Whole Earth Festival every May to evaluate the success of a zero waste event.
Student Housing and Dining Services conducts quarterly front-of-house food waste audits which has patrons sort their waste into edible food waste, non-edible food waste (i.e. banana peels, chicken bones), liquid waste, and napkin waste. The data collected is divided by the number of patrons that participated and the results are calculated to show waste per person and are displayed in the dining facility the following week. The Student Housing and Dining Services Zero Waste Team conduct special tabling events to educate patrons on how to reduce food waste.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
The University of California Sustainable Practices Policy includes a section on Sustainable Purchasing, which requires that specific items meet minimum sustainable certification standards (e.g. Cradle 2 Cradle certification for indoor furniture). The Policy also addresses total cost of ownership in evaluating costs of goods and services, contracting with suppliers that have established end-of-life reuse, recycle or takeback programs, and requiring product packaging be designed/produced, and distributed in a sustainable manner.
Student Housing & Dining Services is working with its food vendors to use more reusable packaging. The Student Farm delivers produce in reusable totes and an egg vendor uses reusable egg crates. They are currently working with others food vendors to do the same.
Student Housing & Dining Services is working with its food vendors to use more reusable packaging. The Student Farm delivers produce in reusable totes and an egg vendor uses reusable egg crates. They are currently working with others food vendors to do the same.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Aggie Surplus facilitates the reuse and resale of campus surplus equipment and supplies for campus faculty and staff members. The surplus equipment and supplies are taken to Aggie Surplus to be resold to other campus affiliates and the general public, or if not marketable, to be properly disposed or recycled.
The Aggie Reuse Store is a student run store that facilitates and encourages the reuse of materials disposed of by students on campus.
The Aggie Reuse Store is a student run store that facilitates and encourages the reuse of materials disposed of by students on campus.
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
Sustainability Peer Educators in Student Housing and Dining Services facilitate a clothing swap for Student Housing residents at least once a year. Items not swapped between residents are donated to local thrift stores.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
Computer classrooms, open access labs, and media facilities are supported by Information and Educational Technology Computer Lab Management. At these facilities, UC Davis users (faculty, staff, and students) will accrue charges of 11 cents per sheet for every sheet they print regardless if the printing is single-sided or double-sided. Sheets printed via Wireless Printing are counted on the same quota as normal printing within the IET computer rooms. If an individual prints only a few sheets per quarter, the charges will be waived as it is not efficient for the department to issue invoices for such small print quantities. Color prints cost $1.00 per page. As student fees do not support student computing nor do they support printing, printing is entirely funded by the fees. The printing fees also fund a portion of the open-access computer labs since they are primarily used for printing. For students living in the residence halls, Student Housing provides 250 pages “free” printing each quarter through the Computer Centers in the residence hall areas. While “free”, in actuality this is paid for through regular Housing fees paid each quarter. The department set that level of printing as a responsible level that meets the needs of the vast majority of residents with consideration for sustainability and conservation of resources.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
UC Davis eliminated a printed paper phone directory with the last printing in 2008-09. The directory is now available solely online.
Since Fall 2012 the Registration Guide has also only been available online. The course catalog and schedule, together with a robust search tool, are available online.
The “AggieBuy” online purchasing system allows for product search and order placement.
Human Resources posts job offerings online and requests applicants apply through the online job application tool.
Pay statements are now provided in electronic format on the central UC benefits website, and not provided in paper format, unless the Online Earnings Statement Exception Form is filled out by the requesting employee.
The campus map is available online, and departments requesting printed maps must pay for them.
Since Fall 2012 the Registration Guide has also only been available online. The course catalog and schedule, together with a robust search tool, are available online.
The “AggieBuy” online purchasing system allows for product search and order placement.
Human Resources posts job offerings online and requests applicants apply through the online job application tool.
Pay statements are now provided in electronic format on the central UC benefits website, and not provided in paper format, unless the Online Earnings Statement Exception Form is filled out by the requesting employee.
The campus map is available online, and departments requesting printed maps must pay for them.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
An annual student housing move-in/out event is planned and hosted by UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services to reduce landfill waste and encourage the recycling during move-in/out in September and June respectively. Prior to move-in, incoming residents are encouraged to pack their belongings in reusable containers instead of cardboard boxes and to coordinate with roommate(s) to avoid duplicate electronics/appliances. The move-in/out event includes stations set up specifically to collect materials for recycling and donations (during move-out). Special collection of expanded polystyrene foam is set-up during move-in which is otherwise landfilled during the academic year. Donation collection during move-out takes place in the residence halls during the week before the halls close for the year, so students - as they prepare to move out - may identify clothing, electronics, non-perishable foods, and other items that they no longer need or want and turn them in so they will continue to be used by others.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Student Housing also maintains a reusable collection bins in the Residence Halls to collect gently used items for donation to the Aggie Reuse Store, an on-campus student thrift store.
As previously mentioned, used gravel is diverted from landfill and reused after being cleaned on campus, and the Food Recovery Network diverts surplus food for consumption.
As previously mentioned, used gravel is diverted from landfill and reused after being cleaned on campus, and the Food Recovery Network diverts surplus food for consumption.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The increased composting tonnage compared to the baseline year is due to more collection efforts for diversion of animal bedding and food waste on campus. The increased reuse tonnage compared to the baseline year is due to reuse of gravel.
UC Davis has a fairly robust waste reduction and recycling program, including the nation’s first zero waste stadium, and a major organics and food waste diversion program. The campus focus on reducing waste can be traced back to at least 1975, when Aggie Surplus (formerly Bargain Barn) opened in an effort to more responsibly dispose of surplus equipment, furniture and supplies.
For more information, visit the following websites:
Aggie Green Pledge: https://sustainability.ucdavis.edu/action/pledge/index.html
Previous MyLastTrash Pledges: https://forms.gle/Qr9ezUDcvPS6uCJC6
Recyclemania: recyclemania.org
GameDay Recycling Challenge: https://recyclemania.org/participate/gameday-recycling-challenge/
Student Housing and Dining Services Waste Diversion Guide: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/waste-diversion-guide/
Student Housing and Dining Services, Green Workplace: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/green-workplace/
Student Housing and Dining Services, Printing: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/computer-support/computer-centers/printing/
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
Aggie Surplus Store: Aggiesurplus.ucdavis.edu
Aggie Reuse Store: Aggiereuse.ucdavis.edu
Online campus directory: https://iet.ucdavis.edu/content/uc-davis-ends-printed-phone-book-will-expand-online-directory
Online registration guide:
https://registrar.ucdavis.edu/faculty-staff/scheduling-guide
https://registrar-apps.ucdavis.edu/courses/search/index.cfm
Online purchasing site: http://aggiebuy.ucdavis.edu
Online job application site: https://www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp
Online Earning Statement Exceptions form: https://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/ucdh-records/faqs;
https://ucdavis.app.box.com/s/hpy1bnfqo64dbtjmaklvlwaqdci1oq2u
UC Davis has a fairly robust waste reduction and recycling program, including the nation’s first zero waste stadium, and a major organics and food waste diversion program. The campus focus on reducing waste can be traced back to at least 1975, when Aggie Surplus (formerly Bargain Barn) opened in an effort to more responsibly dispose of surplus equipment, furniture and supplies.
For more information, visit the following websites:
Aggie Green Pledge: https://sustainability.ucdavis.edu/action/pledge/index.html
Previous MyLastTrash Pledges: https://forms.gle/Qr9ezUDcvPS6uCJC6
Recyclemania: recyclemania.org
GameDay Recycling Challenge: https://recyclemania.org/participate/gameday-recycling-challenge/
Student Housing and Dining Services Waste Diversion Guide: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/waste-diversion-guide/
Student Housing and Dining Services, Green Workplace: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/green-workplace/
Student Housing and Dining Services, Printing: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/computer-support/computer-centers/printing/
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
Aggie Surplus Store: Aggiesurplus.ucdavis.edu
Aggie Reuse Store: Aggiereuse.ucdavis.edu
Online campus directory: https://iet.ucdavis.edu/content/uc-davis-ends-printed-phone-book-will-expand-online-directory
Online registration guide:
https://registrar.ucdavis.edu/faculty-staff/scheduling-guide
https://registrar-apps.ucdavis.edu/courses/search/index.cfm
Online purchasing site: http://aggiebuy.ucdavis.edu
Online job application site: https://www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp
Online Earning Statement Exceptions form: https://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/ucdh-records/faqs;
https://ucdavis.app.box.com/s/hpy1bnfqo64dbtjmaklvlwaqdci1oq2u
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