| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 36.91 |
| Liaison | Bradley Flamm |
| Submission Date | March 30, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.53 / 8.00 |
Bradley
Flamm Director of Sustainability Office of the President |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 449.70 Tons | 306.20 Tons |
| Materials composted | 35.30 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,721.09 Tons | 1,417.54 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 2,206.09 Tons | 1,723.74 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 | July 1, 2016 | June 30, 2017 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2008 | June 30, 2009 |
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):
Year for which data were available.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 5,168 | 4,397 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 10 | 10 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 15,622.10 | 10,957 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 1,691 | 1,647 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,052 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 13,490.33 | 10,554.75 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.16 Tons | 0.16 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 | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | No |
| Laboratory equipment | No |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | No |
| Tires | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
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:
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:
None as of the Spring of 2018. However, in the Spring 2018 semester, several student groups are working to institute food recovery, reusable takeaway food containers, reusable mug, plastic bag elimination, and recycling education programs through the Honors College and student organizations.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
None as of the Spring of 2018. However, WCU joined the Post-Landfill Action Network in 2017 and we hope to initiate a formal waste audit later in calendar year 2018.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
As a State institution the University uses property to its best advantage and realizes the maximum value possible for equipment and furniture at the end of their useful life. By following surplus disbursement/disposal procedures we ensure that University property provides value to the full extent of its worth and that its disbursement/disposal will be conducted in an equitable, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
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):
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 2010 semester, the student printing quota was changed to 125 sheets per week; Duplex Option doubles effective limit to 250 pages.
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:
West Chester University of Pennsylvania provides all course catalogs and course schedules online via MyWCU. All students, staff, and faculty have access to these materials through the West Chester University of Pennsylvania website wcupa.edu.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
WCU has inconsistently organized move-out waste and recycling events. Students are currently planning a move-out day recycling program for May 2018.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
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:
Waste and Recycling Report from Republic Services (Nick Adams, Sales Supervisor, nadams@republicservices.com, 610-806-5529). Required estimation based on Calendar Year 2016 total data and partial 2017 data (January through July), adjusted to FY 2017.
Composting data from Meghan Fogarty, West Chester Borough Sustainability Coordinator (mfogarty@west-chester.com, 484-887-2761).
Baseline year data from: https://www.wcupa.edu/_INFORMATION/AFA/Facilities/Recycling/recyclereport.asp.
Waste and Recycling Report from Republic Services (Nick Adams, Sales Supervisor, nadams@republicservices.com, 610-806-5529). Required estimation based on Calendar Year 2016 total data and partial 2017 data (January through July), adjusted to FY 2017.
Composting data from Meghan Fogarty, West Chester Borough Sustainability Coordinator (mfogarty@west-chester.com, 484-887-2761).
Baseline year data from: https://www.wcupa.edu/_INFORMATION/AFA/Facilities/Recycling/recyclereport.asp.
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.