Vanderbilt University
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Chelsea
Hamilton Sustainability Outreach Program Manager Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Parts 1 and 2. Waste per person
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 1,645.85 Tons | 5,058.25 Tons |
| Materials composted | 225.35 Tons | 117.76 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 29.02 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 4,052 Tons | 5,806.24 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 5,952.22 Tons | 10,982.25 Tons |
If reporting post-recycling residual conversion, provide:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Baseline Period | Jan. 1, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:
NA
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 5,649 | 6,210 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 25 | 7 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 34 | 832 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 13,710 | 11,037 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 6,629 | 19,437 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 16,706.75 | 25,241.75 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.36 Tons | 0.44 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
18.11
Part 3. Waste diverted from the landfill or incinerator
31.92
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
31.92
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 | Yes |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | Yes |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | Yes |
| Tires | No |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
batteries, ballasts, and lamps
Optional Fields
Active Recovery and Reuse
126
Tons
Recycling Management
No
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Contamination and Discard Rates
5
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
All recycling is visually inspected and is collected in clear bags during collection to remove contamination before the recycling is taken off campus.
Programs and Initiatives
In 2019, Vanderbilt announced its Zero Waste Goal for 2030. The Zero Waste Study and Master Plan was developed by the Zero Waste Advisory Committee to address the portion of Scope 3 emissions related to waste disposal and recycling and to help progress towards Vanderbilt’s carbon neutral and Net Positive + Resilience energy goals by 2050.
Vanderbilt’s history of recycling has expanded in recent years to include food and material waste reduction. The Zero Waste Master Plan continues this forward progress to attain a higher standard of waste prevention, reduction, reuse and diversion.
Based on past data, the Committee recommended that the university consider the following two goals, along with two supporting actions:
• Goal 1: Achieve Zero waste (90 percent diversion from landfill) by 2030
• Goal 2: Achieve 30% waste generation reduction from 2017 levels by 2030
Supporting Actions:
• End institutional single-use plastic purchases by 2025, except in laboratories*; and
• Expand food waste collection to include all dining areas and residential halls by 2025
Vanderbilt includes signage at all the residential recycling areas and dining areas that instruct what materials are recyclable and what containers they should be recycled in. This signage includes text and pictures, with an emphasis on materials that should be recycled, and also includes trouble items that are common contaminators.
Vanderbilt University is committed to environmental stewardship and natural resource protection. As part of that commitment, Vanderbilt Campus Dining, the university’s nationally-recognized foodservice operator launched a reusable container program, designed to significantly reduce the institution’s dependence on disposable to-go containers.
Starting in 2022, Vanderbilt Campus Dining partnered with Fill it Forward to offer reusable to-go containers at all residential dining halls, including Commons, E. Bronson Ingram, Rothschild, and Zeppos. This program transitioned to the ReusePass program in 2023. ReusePass offers a straightforward process that empowers participants to effortlessly make eco-conscious dining choices, and help curb single-use plastic waste. ReusePass replaces the Fill it Forward program at Vanderbilt, adding easy to use technology to streamline and promote reusable container use across campus. Each undergraduate student receives one free container that can be used in all-you-care-to-eat residential dining locations, and can be returned for cleaning and sanitizing. The program is also available to other Vanderbilt community members like staff, faculty, and graduate/professional students. Vanderbilt University’s ReusePass program offers a new, community-based approach to sustainable dining, and is open to all Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff. By minimizing plastic waste and encouraging reusable container usage, ReusePass provides the latest example of Vanderbilt’s ongoing commitment to responsible consumption and environmental preservation. https://campusdining.vanderbilt.edu/reusepass/
In the few locations across campus that offer non-reusable to-go containers, all materials are compostable.
Vanderbilt’s history of recycling has expanded in recent years to include food and material waste reduction. The Zero Waste Master Plan continues this forward progress to attain a higher standard of waste prevention, reduction, reuse and diversion.
Based on past data, the Committee recommended that the university consider the following two goals, along with two supporting actions:
• Goal 1: Achieve Zero waste (90 percent diversion from landfill) by 2030
• Goal 2: Achieve 30% waste generation reduction from 2017 levels by 2030
Supporting Actions:
• End institutional single-use plastic purchases by 2025, except in laboratories*; and
• Expand food waste collection to include all dining areas and residential halls by 2025
Vanderbilt includes signage at all the residential recycling areas and dining areas that instruct what materials are recyclable and what containers they should be recycled in. This signage includes text and pictures, with an emphasis on materials that should be recycled, and also includes trouble items that are common contaminators.
Vanderbilt University is committed to environmental stewardship and natural resource protection. As part of that commitment, Vanderbilt Campus Dining, the university’s nationally-recognized foodservice operator launched a reusable container program, designed to significantly reduce the institution’s dependence on disposable to-go containers.
Starting in 2022, Vanderbilt Campus Dining partnered with Fill it Forward to offer reusable to-go containers at all residential dining halls, including Commons, E. Bronson Ingram, Rothschild, and Zeppos. This program transitioned to the ReusePass program in 2023. ReusePass offers a straightforward process that empowers participants to effortlessly make eco-conscious dining choices, and help curb single-use plastic waste. ReusePass replaces the Fill it Forward program at Vanderbilt, adding easy to use technology to streamline and promote reusable container use across campus. Each undergraduate student receives one free container that can be used in all-you-care-to-eat residential dining locations, and can be returned for cleaning and sanitizing. The program is also available to other Vanderbilt community members like staff, faculty, and graduate/professional students. Vanderbilt University’s ReusePass program offers a new, community-based approach to sustainable dining, and is open to all Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff. By minimizing plastic waste and encouraging reusable container usage, ReusePass provides the latest example of Vanderbilt’s ongoing commitment to responsible consumption and environmental preservation. https://campusdining.vanderbilt.edu/reusepass/
In the few locations across campus that offer non-reusable to-go containers, all materials are compostable.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Vanderbilt’s waste and recycling vendor, Waste Management, Inc., conducts thorough waste audits periodically as part of their contract with the University.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
In 2020, Vanderbilt announced a new partnership with PepsiCo as the official beverage provider of the university in efforts to continue reducing waste. PepsiCo will provide the university with beverages packaged in either glass or aluminum to align with Vanderbilt Campus Dining’s “No More Plastic” campaign, while also providing a variety of drinks to account for student needs.
In 2016, an agreement was signed which consolidated construction and demolition waste under Vanderbilt’s master service agreement with Waste Management. Communication efforts around the new agreement have been made and all projects are aware of diversion efforts with the intent of increasing diversion rates, performing more robust due diligence, and developing better metrics.
In 2014, Procurement partnered with our office supply vendor to mandate that orders for many brand-name printer toner cartridges and various general office supplies are fulfilled with comparable re-manufactured toner cartridges. This supports Vanderbilt’s ongoing efforts to lower costs while enhancing sustainability efforts by using recycled products.
Office supply orders require a $25 minimum order. This change eliminates 988 pounds of shipping waste per quarter, further contributing to Vanderbilt’s commitment to sustainability.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/2014/03/changes-made-to-vu-office-supply-procurement-policy-promote-sustainability/
Campus Dining has eliminated plastic water and soda bottles from their dining facilities, straw, bag, and lid use. In addition, they have replaced all to-go containers and utensils with reusable containers or compostable materials.
In 2016, an agreement was signed which consolidated construction and demolition waste under Vanderbilt’s master service agreement with Waste Management. Communication efforts around the new agreement have been made and all projects are aware of diversion efforts with the intent of increasing diversion rates, performing more robust due diligence, and developing better metrics.
In 2014, Procurement partnered with our office supply vendor to mandate that orders for many brand-name printer toner cartridges and various general office supplies are fulfilled with comparable re-manufactured toner cartridges. This supports Vanderbilt’s ongoing efforts to lower costs while enhancing sustainability efforts by using recycled products.
Office supply orders require a $25 minimum order. This change eliminates 988 pounds of shipping waste per quarter, further contributing to Vanderbilt’s commitment to sustainability.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/2014/03/changes-made-to-vu-office-supply-procurement-policy-promote-sustainability/
Campus Dining has eliminated plastic water and soda bottles from their dining facilities, straw, bag, and lid use. In addition, they have replaced all to-go containers and utensils with reusable containers or compostable materials.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
The Vanderbilt ReUse Surplus program disposes of unwanted, Vanderbilt-owned items. After items are collected by surplus, they are either: donated, sold, or otherwise recycled or disposed of. Surplus items that can be redistributed through Vanderbilt are handled by Vanderbilt Procurement. This includes items such as: furniture, office supplies, office equipment, laboratory equipment, etc. https://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/what-we-do/surplus/
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
Vanderbilt also has an online “Reuse Vanderbilt” program to allow students, faculty and staff the opportunity to give their items away to others on campus.
Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG) Environmental Affairs Committee regularly hosts a pop-up thrift shop. Over a thousand items including blouses, pants, shoes, coats, blankets, and even some electronics were donated and were available at the event for students to “shop” for free. The event was intended to reduce clothing waste, bring awareness to sustainable fashion, and promote equity, while allowing students to add “new-to-them” items into their wardrobe without a cost.
Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG) Environmental Affairs Committee regularly hosts a pop-up thrift shop. Over a thousand items including blouses, pants, shoes, coats, blankets, and even some electronics were donated and were available at the event for students to “shop” for free. The event was intended to reduce clothing waste, bring awareness to sustainable fashion, and promote equity, while allowing students to add “new-to-them” items into their wardrobe without a cost.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
VUprint, Vanderbilt’s pay-for-print service, is designed to provide convenient, cost-effective and sustainable public access printing to students, faculty, staff and eligible guests at a variety of locations across campus. All public access printers in libraries, most computer labs and common areas use this system. Most libraries on campus are set to default double-sided printing.
Vanderbilt also implemented the CampusPrint initiative in 2016. The CampusPrint program allows users to print a document remotely to any CampusPrint-enabled device, and only release the print job when they scan their ID card. The benefits of the program include:
● Pay-per-use pricing model;
● Secure printing using your Vanderbilt ID/Commodore Card;
● Campus-wide access, giving you the ability to send and release your print job at any CampusPrint-enabled device;
● Unlimited training and support;
● Reduced administrative burden for departments - no individual leases, POs, or service agreements;
● Energy-efficient machines, stocked with environmentally-friendly FSC® certified paper;
● Multi-function devices, combining copy, print, scan, and fax (most devices) in one machine.
This new initiative will have a direct impact on Vanderbilt University’s office paper use and the efficiency and number of the devices across campus.
Vanderbilt also implemented the CampusPrint initiative in 2016. The CampusPrint program allows users to print a document remotely to any CampusPrint-enabled device, and only release the print job when they scan their ID card. The benefits of the program include:
● Pay-per-use pricing model;
● Secure printing using your Vanderbilt ID/Commodore Card;
● Campus-wide access, giving you the ability to send and release your print job at any CampusPrint-enabled device;
● Unlimited training and support;
● Reduced administrative burden for departments - no individual leases, POs, or service agreements;
● Energy-efficient machines, stocked with environmentally-friendly FSC® certified paper;
● Multi-function devices, combining copy, print, scan, and fax (most devices) in one machine.
This new initiative will have a direct impact on Vanderbilt University’s office paper use and the efficiency and number of the devices across campus.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
Vanderbilt course catalogs, schedules and directories are available online. Printed copies of the Undergraduate Catalog are available on request from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Catalogs of the Graduate School and post-baccalaureate professional schools of the university are available on request from the dean of the appropriate school. http://www.vanderbilt.edu/catalogs/undergrad/
In 2009, Vanderbilt stopped automatically printing hard copies of the phone directory for all staff. The phone directory is now only available online through Vanderbilt People Finder. https://phonedirectory.vanderbilt.edu/cdb/
In 2009, Vanderbilt stopped automatically printing hard copies of the phone directory for all staff. The phone directory is now only available online through Vanderbilt People Finder. https://phonedirectory.vanderbilt.edu/cdb/
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Vanderbilt has a robust move-in and move-out waste reduction strategy. During move-in, extra recycling bins are placed around campus and in addition to normal recycling collections, cardboard, plastic film, packing materials, and molded Styrofoam are also collected. Water bottles have been completely eliminated during move-in activities in favor of eco-friendly, recyclable cups and large coolers of water placed around campus. In 2017, 47 tons of cardboard recycled. This equaled a 570% increase since 2007. Cardboard crew also recycled 2 large box trucks of plastic film, Styrofoam and packing materials.
During Earth Friendly Move Out, Vanderbilt’s Office of Housing and Residential Education (OHARE) sets up donation locations across campus benefitting a variety of non-profit charities. Students can donate many items, including clothing and old textbooks, at any of these locations or post them on Vandy FreeSwap. In addition to donating, there are many convenient locations for recycling common items on campus. Electronics, tablets, computers and appliances, such as refrigerators, can be placed in the specially designated areas outdoors around the residence halls that are set up only during move out. For ink and toner cartridges, batteries, and pens, markers and mechanical pencils, recycling is available year-round at the Sarratt and Commons Center main desks. Battery recycling is also available at all Reeve desks. For more traditional recycling items such as plastic, paper (including textbooks), aluminum and flattened cardboard, students are encouraged to use the residential recycling areas located next to their dumpsters rather than throwing items away. Vanderbilt also has award-winning recycling videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZXoHg7lHPyzt-wK9p_pZ8A) which instruct students on how to properly recycle items from their residence halls. Maps and descriptions of all recycling locations can be found on the FutureVU Sustainability website https://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainability/reduce-waste/
During Earth Friendly Move Out, Vanderbilt’s Office of Housing and Residential Education (OHARE) sets up donation locations across campus benefitting a variety of non-profit charities. Students can donate many items, including clothing and old textbooks, at any of these locations or post them on Vandy FreeSwap. In addition to donating, there are many convenient locations for recycling common items on campus. Electronics, tablets, computers and appliances, such as refrigerators, can be placed in the specially designated areas outdoors around the residence halls that are set up only during move out. For ink and toner cartridges, batteries, and pens, markers and mechanical pencils, recycling is available year-round at the Sarratt and Commons Center main desks. Battery recycling is also available at all Reeve desks. For more traditional recycling items such as plastic, paper (including textbooks), aluminum and flattened cardboard, students are encouraged to use the residential recycling areas located next to their dumpsters rather than throwing items away. Vanderbilt also has award-winning recycling videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZXoHg7lHPyzt-wK9p_pZ8A) which instruct students on how to properly recycle items from their residence halls. Maps and descriptions of all recycling locations can be found on the FutureVU Sustainability website https://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainability/reduce-waste/
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
A scrap metal collection program was implemented in 2014. In ten years, 1,380 tons of scrap metal were recycled. Also in 2014, Vanderbilt donated 35 tons of wood chips to the TN State Parks Department to be used on walking paths. The wood chips resulted from downed tree limbs and debris on campus.
Vanderbilt also collects and saves trees that have fallen due to storm damage or must be removed for other reasons. The trees are then available to be milled and used in future projects, creating a cycle of reuse of the trees that once grew on campus.
Vanderbilt also collects and saves trees that have fallen due to storm damage or must be removed for other reasons. The trees are then available to be milled and used in future projects, creating a cycle of reuse of the trees that once grew on campus.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.