| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.90 |
| Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
| Submission Date | Jan. 23, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Saskatchewan
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.78 / 8.00 |
Odili
Obi Waste Prevention Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 470.16 Metric tons | 429.77 Metric tons |
| Materials composted | 1,653.80 Metric tons | 622.94 Metric tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 2,317.22 Metric tons | 1,814.37 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | Metric tons | Metric tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,658.83 Metric tons | 1,693.02 Metric tons |
| Total waste generated | 6,724.11 Metric tons | 4,560.10 Metric tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | May 1, 2015 | April 30, 2016 |
| Baseline Year | May 1, 2012 | April 30, 2013 |
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):
Formal sustainability programming began in 2004, and the original STARS baseline was set for 2005. However, the university was not in the position to collected substantive data on waste in 2005, so this baseline was not considered to be an accurate reflection of our performance at that time.
In 2012, the university entered into a new waste service contract which included enhanced monitoring of quantities. Our baseline was changed to 2013 to reflect this change and to allow us to compare our performance to more complete and verifiable data.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,216 | 1,660 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 5 | 5 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 18,082.40 | 18,594 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 5,489.90 | 5,511.80 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,500 | 1,350 |
| Weighted campus users | 17,109.48 | 17,483.10 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 6,100.01 Metric tons | 4,560.10 Metric tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
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 | No |
| Cooking oil | Yes |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | No |
| 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:
Computers and other electronics are recycled by the SARCAN Electronics Recycling Program (http://www.sarcan.ca/pages/electronics).
Paint is brought to the Saskatchewan Paint Recycling Program (http://www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint).
In collaboration with other university units, the Office of Sustainability collects bicycles abandoned on campus, donates them to a local non-profit organization that refurbishes them and sells them to students at a modest price.
The Office of Sustainability is piloting a latex glove recycling program, so a modest amount of latex gloves are being recycled. If the pilot program is successful, this has the potential of eventually including most used latex gloves on campus.
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) :
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?:
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?:
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?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program (percentage, 0-100):
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 university through our waste management contractor carries out a quarterly waste characterization on the waste bins and recycling bins around campus in order to ascertain our diversion ratio and reduce contamination.
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 recently embarked on a campus-wide restructure of the recycling program. The introduction of new signage and informational messaging will help to maintain consistency in our messaging around campus.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Audits were performed in 2007-08 with student employees, Waste Characterization data is now provided annually by our recycling/waste contractor.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
At present, we encourage practices to reduce and prevent waste; however, there are currently no policies in place.
As an example, deliveries from some of our suppliers are delivered in reusable tote boxes rather than cardboard.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Although the University of Saskatchewan does have a policy and procedures regarding the disposal of surplus assets, at this point in time the reuse or exchange of materials is limited to furniture that still meets current ergonomic standards and only as space permits. Due to logistical, space and resource limitations, there is no mechanism to facilitate the reuse or transfer of materials from one department to another at this time. Whenever possible surplus equipment and materials that cannot be used or stored on campus are matched up with a suitable not-for-profit organization.
The Office of Sustainability is currently undergoing beta implementation of a surplus assets exchange web portal to help better facilitate these actions in the future. Full deployment is expected for Q2 2017.
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):
The Office of Sustainability is currently undergoing beta implementation of a surplus assets exchange web portal to help better facilitate these actions in the future. Full deployment is expected for Q2 2017.
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):
In the fall of 2014, the Murray Library launched the PrintSMART initiative. Printing reduction tips and information are promoted online on the library web page and posted at printing stations in the Library. Infographics with paper use stats and paper use reduction tips are used as desktop backgrounds on library computers. The campaign was launched with a contest and social media campaign in October 2014. Link: http://libguides.usask.ca/HowDoI/print
The Arts and Science IT initiative called PARC (Printing Awareness / Reduction Campaign) promotes the reduction of printing throughout the college by providing tips and suggestions on how best to reduce daily printing. Links: http://artsandscience.usask.ca/parc/pdf/PARC_2014.pdf
http://artsandscience.usask.ca/parc/
Our stationary supply provides ink cartridge recycling services for the university.
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:
Student and Enrolment Services Division (SESD) has ceased publication of all paper publications for students. These include the University Calendar, Registration Guide, Spring and Summer Bulletin, etc. There are no direct mailings from SESD to students other than admission letters.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Batteries (alkaline, lithium ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride), cell phones and other small consumer electronics can be placed in bins in several locations across campus for recycling.
Supreme Basics, the university's contracted supplier for office and IT supplies, takes empty toner and ink cartridges as part of their sustainability program and ensure they are properly recycled.
Reusable lumber from construction projects is made available for the public to pick up in our "free wood box." Some pieces of reusable furniture are also made available for re-use through this box.
Leftover paint from renovation and construction projects is made available for reuse or recycling through the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres.
Currently, the majority of grounds waste is composted
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 Campus Recycling Program
recycles the following materials: paper, cardboard. beverage containers, glass, plastic, metal, clean food plastic, uncontaminated lab plastic, batteries, cell phones, toner cartridges, electronics and paint.
Baseline numbers for student FTE, residential students and distance education students are estimates are derived from the total student headcount for 2012/13 and based on year-to-year trends. Tonnage for materials donated or sold has been estimated based on year-to-year trends. Substantial amounts were diverted in this way, but no monitoring was done.
The Campus Recycling Program
recycles the following materials: paper, cardboard. beverage containers, glass, plastic, metal, clean food plastic, uncontaminated lab plastic, batteries, cell phones, toner cartridges, electronics and paint.
Baseline numbers for student FTE, residential students and distance education students are estimates are derived from the total student headcount for 2012/13 and based on year-to-year trends. Tonnage for materials donated or sold has been estimated based on year-to-year trends. Substantial amounts were diverted in this way, but no monitoring was done.
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.