Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.12
Liaison Matthew Williams
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Florida
IN-1: Innovation 1

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Liz Storn
Program Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Paper Towel Composting

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :

Beginning in the fall of 2015, the University of Florida has been collecting used paper towels from restrooms in selected buildings across campus to be taken along with food waste from the dining halls for composting. As part of the process, UF worked with the supplier of the paper towels to obtain third party testing of compostability. As of April 2016, over 80 buildings now have collection of paper towels for composting, with continued expansion planned across campus.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

UF uses over 500,000 pounds of brown paper towels each year. Composting these paper towels will greatly reduce UF's trash that goes to landfill and increase the percentage of UF's waste that is composted.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No
Curriculum No
Research No
Campus Engagement No
Public Engagement No
Air & Climate No
Buildings No
Dining Services No
Energy No
Grounds No
Purchasing Yes
Transportation No
Waste Yes
Water No
Coordination, Planning & Governance No
Diversity & Affordability No
Health, Wellbeing & Work No
Investment No

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
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.