Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
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Overall Score | 69.47 |
Liaison | Sally DeLeon |
Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2019 |
Executive Letter | Download |
University of Maryland, College Park
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
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4.67 / 8.00 |
Sally
DeLeon Acting Manager Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Materials recycled | 3,807.90 Tons | 2,341.64 Tons |
Materials composted | 1,473.79 Tons | 115.50 Tons |
Materials donated or re-sold | 658.58 Tons | 643 Tons |
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 3,992.90 Tons | 9,203.39 Tons |
Total waste generated | 9,933.17 Tons | 12,303.53 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 | Jan. 1, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2005 | Dec. 31, 2005 |
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):
The waste generation baseline of 2005 was adopted as part of the university's original (2009) Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP established increasing waste diversion as one of 40 plus strategies in the plan to move the university toward carbon neutrality. Targets of 60% and 75% waste diversion were set for 2010 and 2013 respectively; both targets were met on time.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Number of students resident on-site | 12,065 | 9,556 |
Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 37,383.67 | 31,726 |
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 9,397.34 | 7,605 |
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 837.90 | 0 |
Weighted campus users | 37,473.58 | 31,887.25 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.27 Tons | 0.39 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
31.30
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
59.80
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
59.80
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 |
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:
We also recycle mattresses, toner and ink cartridges, batteries (all kinds), carpet, and electronics.
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):
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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:
We employ many tactics to curb contamination in the recycling stream. Among a few of our tactics are the following: signage, training, peer education, and dumpster inspections.
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:
We are constantly tweaking our signage to best reflect the program's initiatives and customers' recognition. We have simplified signs with more photographic icons listed under "yes" and "no" sections to clarify what we want placed in each bin.
The university has adopted the Mini Bin trash collection program. All university employee work stations have a mini trash can that the campus employee must empty into a communal trash can and a recycling bin that university housekeepers service. This program encourages all university staff to be mindful of all the waste they are generating and be responsible for properly disposing of it themselves. All administrative and academic buildings on campus have adopted this program.
Many university offices and departments also participate in the Green Office program. This is a voluntary program aimed at promoting sustainable activities. Many action items to become certified a Green Office encourages waste reduction. Examples of these action items include: pledging to cancel unwanted catalogs and junk mail, eliminating disposable dishware for personal use and at office meeting and events, using inter-office envelopes for campus mailings, and buying coffee, condiments, and other kitchen supplies in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
http://www.sustainability.umd.edu/content/culture/green_offices.php
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Facilities Management recently hired an independent contractor to conduct a waste audit of both the trash and recycling streams of select campus residence halls, all three campus dining halls, and the campus student union. Student Affairs used results to gauge the effectiveness of the current recycling program and to determine the possible volume that could be diverted by expanding collection of compostable materials. In 2016-2017, Dining Halls will no longer allow takeout and this change is expected to increase food waste composting and significantly decrease waste from disposable containers.
Twice a year Facilities Management conducts internal waste audits using campus student groups. These internal waste audits help to teach students about proper waste separation and to gauge the overall effectiveness of the waste diversion program.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
The "University of Maryland Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement" is a document outlining all implemented policies to prevent waste. The document "encourages procurement of environmentally preferable goods and services including, but not limited to: Existing surplus property and materials for re-use, Energy efficient equipment and appliances, Renewable energy supplies, Energy performance contracts, Environmentally sensitive design and construction of new and renovated facilities, Materials having recycled content, Water saving equipment and appliances, recyclable products, compostable materials, non-hazardous materials and biodegradable products."
http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/docs/VIII-310C.pdf
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Terrapin Trader serves as the University of Maryland's surplus redistribution center. Once labeled as surplus, items such as lab equipment, chairs, tables, computers, monitors, and other items are collected by Terrapin Trader and resold. The office is open to students, staff, and faculty, both to drop off and purchase surplus products. Auctions are also held. In addition to these services, Terrapin Trader also participates in an "Adopt-a-School" program. Under this program, Terrapin Trader works with one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school from the surrounding area each year and addresses their needs using the surplus products they have acquired.
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):
All departmental assets purchased by the university must be processed through Terrapin Trader for either reuse or recycling. When cleaning out offices, people are encouraged to make a box for small reusable items such as 3-ring binders, desk trays, magazine holders, etc.
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):
To print in most computer labs or libraries on campus, students must pay a small fee for each print job. The prices are as follows: Black and white print jobs cost 10 cents per page for one-sided documents, and 14 cents per page for two-sided documents. These prices are increased to 50 and 70 cents, respectively, for color-printer jobs. Patrons can pay to print using Terrapin Express (a university payment system) or by purchasing a photocopy access card.
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:
The entire University of Maryland course catalog, complete with course schedules and instructor information, is available online. Class selection and registration are done exclusively online through Testudo.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
UMD’s “Trash to Treasure” donation drive is a partnership with Goodwill, Student Government Assocition, Residence Hall Association, Residential Facilities, Resident Life and the campus Recycling Group in Facilities Management. Collection stations are set up around campus to collect donated material from residents as they move out of the halls. Donated materials include TVs, clothes, small pieces of furniture, small appliances, and carpets. In addition, "Terrapin Junktion", a community yard sale during Move-Out, provides an outlet for unwanted goods and benefits the surrounding College Park community by offering low prices for household goods.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.