Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 64.54 |
Liaison | Shane Stennes |
Submission Date | Oct. 25, 2012 |
Executive Letter | Download |
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-18: Waste Diversion
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
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1.26 / 3.00 |
Valerie
Skinner Sustainability Student Assistant Facilities Management |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Materials recycled, composted, reused, donated, re-sold, or otherwise diverted :
3,913
Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
5,409
Tons
A brief description of programs, policies, infrastructure investments, outreach efforts, and/or other factors that contributed to the diversion rate:
The ReUse Program was started in 1993 to divert reusable items from the landfill or incinerator. The program stores items and redistributes furniture and equipment around the University or resells it for public use.
The University of Minnesota Reuse Program collects unwanted, reusable items from Housing and Residential Life (dorm) clean-outs. These items are donated to a non-profit in St. Paul called Families Helping Each Other, who in turn gives the items at no charge to a family in need. The items collected include clothing, food, toiletries, and household goods. Additionally picked up but not processed by ReUse are paper products.
More recently, the U of M has begun working with gooddonor.org to set up collection boxes at the residence halls during move in and move out dates. The collection boxes will then go to various charities in the area.
The U of M ReUse Program has partnered with Minnesota Technical Assistance Program to develop a virtual warehouse which links donors and users of reclaimed or otherwise reusable goods to one another without the use of ReUse staff serving as the middle man. Currently, MnTAP operates the Material Exchange, a software program which facilitates exchanges statewide. The plan includes updating and automating the statewide exchange software and creating software specific to University departments for use by faculty and staff.
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
To get materials recycled, we added the amount of aluminum and tin cans, cardboard and newspaper, yard waste and organics, glass, office paper, LDPE, HDPE, PET and polypropylene plastics.
To get incinerated waste, we added the number of tons that went to the MSW Compactor with the MSW packer.
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.