University of California, Santa Barbara
OP-22: Waste Minimization

The year 2007 was adopted as the baseline because it was the earliest time period for which UCSB has reliable waste generation data. 2007 also encompassed data from the majority of the waste management programs that were in place on-campus. Years prior to 2007, waste generation data was not collected from all entities on-campus, especially departmental programs.

UCSB regularly conducts waste audits by utilizing the services of UCSB's Associated Students Recycling (A.S. Recycling), third party environmental consulting firms, and their waste hauler. A.S. Recycling provides waste audit services for special events, departments, and buildings. Recently, A.S. Recycling audited the waste generated from the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference. Third party consulting firms generally audit waste from buildings, often as part of the LEED certification process, and the waste hauler audits UCSB as an entirety once a year.

UCSB is in the process of developing a campus-wide product stewardship program that has a large focus on Extended Producer Responsibility. Such a program will encourage producers to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products.

At the University of California, Santa Barbara, the Surplus Inventory Program promotes the exchange of materials within the UCSB community. The Surplus Inventory Program allows users to give away or find equipment, supplies, and furniture from laboratories or offices. All items posted on the website are free to UCSB staff, faculty, and students.

The University of California, Santa Barbara provides students with course and university materials via online sources. Students can access class schedules and course information and register for classes through GauchoSpace and Gaucho On-Line Data (GOLD). They are also encouraged to electronically access their billing and account information on the BARC Billing Office Website. GauchoSpace: https://gauchospace.ucsb.edu/ GOLD: https://my.sa.ucsb.edu/gold/login.aspx BARC: http://www.barc.ucsb.edu/

UCSB does not offer free printing or copying to any of its computer labs and libraries. Printing and copying charges range from .10-.25 per page and can be charged to a student’s online account (BARC) or copy card or paid for in cash.

During the move-out process, UCSB Housing & Residential Services eliminates waste by placing recycle roll offs and extra recycling dumpsters around the dorms during the move-out process. At this time, UCSB also collects and has drop-off locations for various reusable materials, which are then sold at Give IV. If dorms need to be remodeled, furniture and appliances are donated to local charities, other schools, and the International Recycling Network. These practices ensure that UCSB earns this credit.

UCSB's Central Stores Furniture Services plays a vital role in waste minimization. UCSB has several programs that focus on the reuse of items, but Central Stores Furniture Services largely focuses on collecting and reselling surplus furniture, office equipment, and any large items. Surplus material can be purchased twice per week by the members of the Santa Barbara community.

As part of A.S. Recycling's waste audit policies, the food waste and compostable waste stream is always audited. Auditing practices include determination of volume and contamination. After each audit, the material is placed into its proper waste stream.

To reduce food waste, UCSB strives to cook from scratch and also purchases in bulk, but it ensures that the items are used before their expiration data and that too much food is never bought too far in advance. When possible, ingredients are used in multiple meals. For example, chicken bones and vegetables trimmings are used to make stocks. UCSB also composts all of its pre-consumer food waste, ensuring that it is not sent to the landfill but is repurposed as compost instead.

In fall quarter of the 2009-2010 school year, Residential Dining removed trays from all four dining commons. The dining commons on-campus are each labeled as a "Trayless Dining Facility" and do not provide students the option of using a tray. Since removing trays from dining facilities, UCSB has seen a 54% reduction in food post consumer waste and a 37% average savings of total waste overall. There has been a reduction of approximately 2,400,000 pounds in solid waste. The amount of wasted food found on trays also went from 6% down to less than 3%. Further reductions included saving ~1,000,000 gallons/year of water, and chemical use from washing trays was also reduced substantially. Additionally, all trays were donated to various facilities, including schools, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, and UCSB Life Science and Biology labs. The total number of trays donated was 3,952. Food cost savings have allowed new sustainable programs to be implemented. We were able to implement 100% Certified Fair Trade Coffee and 100% Certified Humane Cage Free Eggs in all Dining Commons.

The University of California, Santa Barbara provides diners with reusable containers for to-go food at the Courtyard and Coral Tree Cafes. Diners can buy the Eco-Clamshells Reusable Containers in place of styrofoam containers with their meal and subsequently exchange rinsed, used containers for sanitized ones with the next meal purchase. Customers who use the Eco-Clamshells also receive a $0.10 discount on their meal. Additionally, the University Center offers reusable containers for to-go food. No discount is provided at this time.

All dining commons at UCSB provide reusable service ware for "dine in" meals, with the exception of trays, which the University no longer provides. For to-go meals, the dinning commons provides certified compostable service ware, and compost receptacles are located in the general vicinities of all the dining commons.

The University of California, Santa Barbara provides diners with reusable mugs at the University Center. Diners using reusable mugs receive a twenty-five cent discount. Customers can also bring in their own drinking vessel and receive a 10 cent discount. Additionally, Residential Dining Commons permit and welcome reusable mugs brought in by customers.

UCSB's Dining Services minimize waste through the following practices: - Practicing tray-less dining to reduce food waste, water waste, and energy use - Recycling all cooking oil waste for use as biodiesel fuel - Cooking from scratch in small batches to reduce waste - Buying in bulk to reduce waste from packaging and minimize the frequency of product deliveries - Creating a paperless environment by providing up to the minute information through the DigiKnow network - Promoting Zero-Waste events for Special Events Catering & Concessions