| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.07 |
| Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Saskatchewan
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.27 / 8.00 |
Erin
Akins Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 491.87 Metric tons | 429.77 Metric tons |
| Materials composted | 1,457.91 Metric tons | 622.94 Metric tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 0 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,585.94 Metric tons | 1,693.02 Metric tons |
| Total waste generated | 3,897.46 Metric tons | 3,026.65 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 | Jan. 1, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2018 |
| 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):
In 2012, the university entered into a new waste service contract which included enhanced monitoring of quantities. 2013 was chosen as our baseline to allow us to compare our performance t complete, consistent and verifiable data.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,073 | 1,660 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 6 | 5 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 19,170 | 18,594 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 5,516 | 5,511.80 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 651.40 | 1,350 |
| Weighted campus users | 18,545.70 | 17,483.10 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 3,535.72 Metric tons | 2,745.73 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 | Yes |
| Cooking oil | No |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | Yes |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | No |
| Laboratory equipment | No |
| Furniture | No |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | No |
| Scrap metal | No |
| Pallets | No |
| Tires | No |
| Other (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
Motor oil is collected a returned for recycling
Toner cartridges are collected and returned for recycling.
Surplus asset are re-sold through auction, however a this time we are unable to quantify and track this stream by weight.
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:
Renewed signage and informational messaging for recycling was completed to improve consistency in our messaging around campus. We also conducted "mugging" events where volunteers give out free mugs to individuals who are observed recycling correctly.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Waste Characterization data is now provided annually by our recycling/waste contractor. In 2019, we also completed a waste audit in buildings with food services. This was completed to inform planning for future organics programs.
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.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
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. Whenever possible surplus equipment and materials that cannot be used or stored on campus are matched up with a suitable not-for-profit organization.
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 has launched an online surplus assets exchange web portal to support the reuse of materials across campus. Through the portal, department can post items such as furniture or equipment which can be claimed by other departments.
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):
All printers are defaulted to double-sided and black and white printing. We are running a campaign aimed at eliminating all individual desktop printers to ensure all staff are on centrally managed printers. PaperCut software, that requires users to release print jobs at the printer is being established in order to reduce forgotten print jobs.
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.
The institution no longer prints telephone directories for stall. All contact information is no available online.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Move-in and move-out waste stations are set up at the start and end of the year. They includes extra bins for electronic waste, hazardous waste, and collection of household goods for donation. Extra recycling bins are place in the Residences during move out.
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:
A new food waste composting program has increased the amount organic materials that are diverted.
A new food waste composting program has increased the amount organic materials that are diverted.
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.