Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 35.20
Liaison Laura Miller
Submission Date Aug. 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of New Haven
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.73 / 8.00 Laura Miller
Director of Energy & Sustainability
Office of Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 158.45 Tons 136.75 Tons
Materials composted 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 0.87 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 1,437.82 Tons 1,284.65 Tons
Total waste generated 1,597.14 Tons 1,421.40 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 July 1, 2017 June 30, 2018
Baseline Year July 1, 2013 June 30, 2014

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 year was adopted at this time because the data was determined to be complete, reliable and accurate. It was qualified and verified in accordance with Sightlines standards.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 2,626 2,499
Number of employees resident on-site 10 3
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 6,262 5,573
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 888 351
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 204 19
Weighted campus users 5,868.50 5,054.25

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.27 Tons 0.28 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
3.23

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
9.98

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
9.98

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 No
Food No
Cooking oil No
Plant materials No
Animal bedding No
White goods (i.e. appliances) No
Laboratory equipment No
Furniture Yes
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste Yes
Scrap metal No
Pallets No
Tires No
Other (please specify below) Yes

A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:

The University of New Haven has an initiative called “Think Outside the Dumpster” which occurs at the beginning and end of the academic year during Move In & Move Out periods. The Facilities Staff set up stations in front of the dorms across campus, so that students at the end of the academic year can recycle and donate their things they used during the semester such as refrigerators, lamps, and other furniture items. The collected items are stored on campus until the beginning of the next academic year and resold to the students in the form of a tag-sale, and whatever isn’t sold is donated to Goodwill. In 2018, approximately 1748 lbs. of material was donated to Goodwill.


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?:
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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?:
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Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program (percentage, 0-100):
3

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:

The waste hauler employed by the University of New Haven does not accept more than a 3% contamination rate. This is confirmed through audits. If the contamination rate were higher than 3%, the hauler would notify the institution and not accept the waste.


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:

The university hands out "recycling" magnets that members of the campus community can stick on a refrigerator to remind them to utilize recycling practices.


A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:

The Director of Sustainability and Energy regularly analyzes the waste stream at the university to adjust the hauling pickup based on actual need vs. a predetermined schedule. This analysis includes a review of monthly billing statements, and visual audits that determine contamination levels and percentage of fullness. The custodial staff receives informational training on effective recycling practices. Focus groups are used to assess what barriers might need to be overcome to facilitate further improvement in recycling rates.


A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
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A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
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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):
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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):
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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:
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A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
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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:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.