Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.65
Liaison Kelly Nowicki
Submission Date May 20, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
OP-23: Waste Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.18 / 3.00 Daniel Sweetman
ADMIN PRG MANAGER III
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Materials diverted from the solid waste landfill or incinerator:
503.90 Tons
+ Date Revised: June 5, 2015

Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
774.90 Tons
+ Date Revised: June 5, 2015

A brief description of programs, policies, infrastructure investments, outreach efforts, and/or other factors that contributed to the diversion rate, including efforts made during the previous three years:

The University has maintained an official and active recycling program since 1991. Reinforcement of recycling is a continuing effort with every incoming class and throughout the year. Recycling containers have been installed in every campus building for at least 20 years. Over the past 3-5 years additional permanent recycling stations have been installed in numerous external locations. During this same time temporary recycling stations have been purchased and are used during large special events. The campus recycling program continues to engage with students in residence halls (Greener Living Committee) as well as student groups (Students for Sustainability) to improve awareness and recycling performance. The University continues to include additional items for recycling as certified recycling markets become available and demonstrate reliability.


A brief description of any food donation programs employed by the institution:

Through Student Centers, the University maintains a food, hygiene and cleaning supply pantry that operates year round for the benefit of University students. At the end of every academic year, the Office of Residence collects unopened food and personal hygiene products during move-out in each of the ten residence halls. This food is donated to a local food pantry.


A brief description of any pre-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:

The University has collected pre-consumer food waste from kitchen operations in two university centers. The material is sent to a vermicomposting unit that is owned by the University but operated by a local gardening organization, known as the Hillview Urban Agriculture Center.


A brief description of any post-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:

Post-consumer food waste is collected in the buffet style Whitney Center student dining facility. This compostable waste is collected in specially signed waste containers placed near the dishwasher conveyor belt. Through signs, consumers are encouraged to properly sort compostable materials, waste, dishes, and utensils. The material is collected with pre-consumer compostable materials and delivered to the vermicomposting unit that is owned by the University but operated by a local gardening organization, known as the Hillview Urban Agriculture Center.


Does the institution include the following materials in its waste diversion efforts?:
Yes or No
Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers Yes
Food donations Yes
Food for animals No
Food composting Yes
Cooking oil Yes
Plant materials composting Yes
Animal bedding composting No
Batteries Yes
Light bulbs Yes
Toner/ink-jet cartridges Yes
White goods (i.e. appliances) Yes
Laboratory equipment Yes
Furniture Yes
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste Yes
Scrap metal Yes
Pallets Yes
Motor oil Yes
Tires Yes

Other materials that the institution includes in its waste diversion efforts:

The University operates a successful Surplus Property Program, for resale of office furniture, vehicles, appliances, and a wide array of other University property. Additional information related to this program is available at http://www.uwlax.edu/stores/surplus/. The University has no reliable way of weighing the wide variety of materials that are sold for reuse by others.


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.