| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.00 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Andrews |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of New Hampshire
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Colleen
Flaherty Communications and Information Coordinator Sustainability Institute |
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability? :
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Name of the campaign:
A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged:
In 2015, UNH Dining, Student Senate, and the Sustainability Institute began partnering on a communications campaign called "Take Less, Waste Less." This campaign encourages diners to take only what food they need. Since all UNH Dining halls allow diners to take as much food as they would like, there are opportunities for greater food waste. Students and other diners were engaged with posters, flyers, and social media posts encouraging them to take less food. UNH Dining conducts plate scrape studies each semester. The studies take place in the dining hall and are visible to diners, showing them what happens to their waste.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:
The difference between the plate scrape data from Fall 2015 and Spring 2016, shows a decline in food waste in two of the dining halls. In the largest dining hall, Holloway Commons, 665 pounds of food were wasted in 8 hours during the fall semester. In the spring semester, it was only 540. Anecdotal evidence is that students are cognizant of their food waste and exploring ways to reduce it.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available:
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged (2nd campaign):
In 2017, the UNH Sustainability Institute coordinate events for Earth Week, working with a variety of campus offices and student groups to inform and celebrate UNH's sustainable learning community. One event, a dumpster dive, was coordinated by UNH's Zero Waste Task Force. Four dumpsters were emptied in a central part of campus for students, faculty, and staff to sort. The dive was designed to showcase waste and what we can recycle on campus.
Another event for Earth Week was a university-wide Day of Service.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
The dumpster dive was well attended by the UNH community. It shed light on waste from residence halls and academic buildings. Students who participated learned more about what can and cannot be recycled. The dumpster dive showcased the need for greater outreach efforts related to waste and an assessment of barriers associated with the incorrect disposal of waste.
The Day of Service strengthened the tie between sustainability and community outreach. Many departments and offices were involved in the effort. From a campus clean up to volunteering at community centers, this event was also a success, despite the rainy weather.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.