| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.63 |
| Liaison | Leslie North |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Western Kentucky University
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.97 / 8.00 |
Madeline
Petty Graduate Assistant Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 395.65 Tons | 184.03 Tons |
| Materials composted | 129.24 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 35.50 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 2,149.93 Tons | 2,500 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 2,710.32 Tons | 2,684.03 Tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility:
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 | June 30, 2007 | July 1, 2008 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 4,417 | 4,393 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 21 | 25 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 12,256 | 15,951 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,991.33 | 2,453 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,638.70 | 1,703 |
| Weighted campus users | 10,565.97 | 13,630.25 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.26 Tons | 0.20 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 | Yes |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
In addition to single stream recycling, electronics recycling (6.25 tons in FY23) is included in the total volume of recycled materials.
Toner Cartridges: WKU contracts with Ricoh to recycle waste toner cartridges. In 2019, WKU recycled 342 toner cartridges. As of 2024, the recovery of toner cartridges exceeds 96%. More information about Ricoh's recycling program can be found here: https://www.ricoh-usa.com/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility-and-environmental-sustainability/product-stewardship-and-recycling
Computers: Surplus & the Student Government Association partner to redistribute surplus iMacs to students in need through the Earn-A-Computer Program. Through this Program, WKU students can earn a surplus Apple computer by completing service hours at a non-profit organization of their choice. Surplus partners with the Student Government Organization to process applications, verify service hours, and award computers to qualifying students. In FY23, the program awarded 20 computers to WKU students. Program link: https://www.wku.edu/sga/earn_a_computer.php
Surplus Sales and Donations: WKU auctions or electronically recycles all electronics used on campus. WKU partners with PowerHouse Recycling for electronic recycling, and uses GovDeals to auction surplus items.
Materials intended for disposal but subsequently recovered and reused on campus, performance year:
Does the institution use single stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program:
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
Daily: WKU Department of Facilities Management employs three full-time Waste Reduction Associates; one of their daily responsibilities is monitor and reduce contamination in all outdoor receptacles, reporting “common offenders, outliers, and any issues to the Resource Conservation Coordinator, who communicates proper recycling and waste disposal procedures to the appropriate person (usually, the Building Coordinator).
Athletic Events: WKU works with organizations to clean up athletic venues after home football and basketball games. Prior to cleaning, volunteers are trained on proper recycling procedures, including the requirement to pour excess liquid from the container before recycling it. Through educating 400 volunteers in 2022-23, this initiative has been effective in reducing contamination and increasing total recyclables diverted. In fact, although WKU’s campus-wide diversion rate is only 37%, volunteers average an 82% diversion rate when cleaning after athletic events!
A brief description of the institution's waste-related behavior change initiatives:
GameDay Recycling Challenge: Throughout each football season, WKU Greek Organizations participate in the GameDay Recycling Challenge. Prior to every home game, “Bag Bundles” are distributed to fans tailgating; these consist of a black trash bag and a green recycling bag that are rolled up and secured with an educational, “GameDay Recycling Challenge” mini-flyer designed to educate fans about game-day waste, what to recycle, and the competition. At the end of the game, collected recycling is weighed for each participating Greek Org, with the winner receiving a free large trough of ice for use at the next home game.
Weigh the Waste: WKU partnered with Dining Services to conduct 1-2 Weigh the Waste Campaigns each semester. Food scraps on plates are collected, sorted, and weighed in front of the students so they can learn about the environmental problems associated with food waste.
Greeks Go Green: As part of an Honor’s Thesis Project, a WKU student established Greeks Go Green in 2019. This initiative strives to leverage the competitive spirit amongst Greek organizations for positive change. In its first year (2019), fifteen organizations, each with an average of 100 members, registered to participate in Greeks Go Green. The Greeks Go Green Leadership team presents to chapters monthly on different sustainability-related topics and competition categories. The program has temporarily paused in AY24, so we can figure out the best way to incorporate this initiative with other sustainability programming for Green orgs. Web link: https://www.wku.edu/recycling/greeks_go_green.pdf
WKU Food Recovery: In it's first year, WKU Food Recovery recovered and donated 1,604 pounds of food to local non-profit organizations that feed those in need. Through daily recoveries, this organization raises awareness about food waste and positive solutions across campus, impacting students and food-service staff. Now, five years later, the group has diverted 10,000 pounds of waste from the landfill and distributed it to local partners or the WKU Food Pantry. FRN Chapter link: https://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/kentucky#WKU
Athletic Events: WKU works with organizations to clean up athletic venues after home football and basketball games. Prior to cleaning, volunteers are trained on proper recycling procedures, including the requirement to pour excess liquid from the container before recycling it. Through educating volunteers, this initiative has been effective in reducing contamination and increasing total recyclables diverted. In fact, although WKU’s campus-wide diversion rate is only 37%, volunteers average an 82% diversion rate when cleaning after athletic events!
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
WKU Resource Conservation conducts at least two Waste Characterization Studies annually. Often, the Waste characterization studies serve as lab components for a sustainability-focused course, engaging between 30-50 students in each activity.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
WKU Resource Conservation has worked with Purchasing to review proposals and make recommendations related to waste reduction. Recommendations to Purchasing include minimal packaging, purchasing in bulk, shipping in reusable containers, and sourcing items that generate less waste long-term (multi-function printers over desktop printers).
Managed Print Services Contract: In efforts to reduce waste and costs associated with printing and electronics, WKU recently entered into a Managed Print Services contract. Currently in transition, one centrally located milti-function printer/copier/scanner will replace multiple personal desktop printers. This will reduce electronic waste significantly, as well as personal and/or unnecessary printing.
Dining Services implemented a Reusable Container Program in the Fall of 2016.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Surplus: Surplus manages the responsible redistribution, donation, sale, or disposal of all University-owned assets. An area in the Surplus “Warehouse” is dedicated to office supplies; faculty and staff are encouraged to visit Surplus during weekly “Open Hours” on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Surplus also posts pictures of items on the WKU Surplus Facebook page. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/wkusurplus/ In FY23, these efforts resulted in 20,032 pounds and over 500 items reused, including office supplies, industrial shelving, monitors, and more!
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
WKU Surplus' first priority is to maximize the life of University property through reuse on campus. Surplus coordinates reuse of as many items as possible. Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit during weekly “open hours.” Items are advertised on the Surplus Facebook page to help facilitate reuse. Departments are also encouraged to share property or offer it to other departments.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
Student Printing Allowance: Students receive a printing allowance each semester to encourage consciousness; furthermore, they are prompted to confirm, “Are you sure you want to print,” to reduce unintended printing. http://www.wku.edu/it/labs/printing.php
Default Duplex Printing: All computer labs are set to duplex print by default.
Managed Print Services Contract: In efforts to reduce waste and costs associated with printing and electronics, WKU recently entered into a Managed Print Services contract. Currently in transition, one centrally located milti-function printer/copier/scanner will replace multiple personal desktop printers. This will reduce electronic waste significantly, as well as personal and/or unnecessary printing.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
In 2013, course evaluations switched to online rather than paper submission, eliminating a significant amount of paper. Additionally, students and parents can elect to receive billing and other correspondence electronically rather than by mail.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Move-In:
- Recycling dumpsters are placed beside trash dumpsters for convenient sorting and disposal.
- Staff are present daily throughout Move-In to monitor all containers and assist students with breaking down cardboard boxes, sorting materials, etc.
Move-Out: Housing and Residence Life coordinates "Lighten Your Load," an initiative to recover reusable items from students as they move out. "Lighten Your Load" sorts and donates thousands of non-perishable food items, hundreds of clothing pieces and accessories, refrigerators, microwaves, and household items to the Bowling Green Housing Authority. These items are dispersed for free to Housing Authority residents.
Resource Conservation begin meeting with SGA students in 2019 to develop a program to redistribute small appliances (mini-fridges, microwaves) to students in need.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
WKU Food Recovery: In its first year, WKU Food Recovery recovered and donated 1,604 pounds of food to local non-profit organizations that feed those in need. Through daily recoveries, this organization raises awareness about food waste and positive solutions across campus, impacting students and food-service staff. Now, the group has diverted more than 10,000 pounds of food waste. FRN Chapter link: https://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/kentucky#WKU
Computers: Surplus & the Student Government Association partner to redistribute surplus iMacs to students in need through the Earn-A-Computer Program. Through this Program, WKU students can earn a surplus Apple computer by completing service hours at a non-profit organization of their choice. Surplus partners with the Student Government Organization to process applications, verify service hours, and award computers to qualifying students. In FY23, the program awarded 20 computers to WKU students. Media link: https://wkuherald.com/news/computer-less-students-to-be-given-opportunity-for-free-desktop/article_0773ebfc-d365-11e9-8cb9-6fb1c0e03124.html
Program website: https://www.wku.edu/sga/earn_a_computer.php
Surplus Facebook Page: Surplus posts pictures of items on the WKU Surplus Facebook page and holds “Open Hours” weekly to encourage reuse of surplus assets. In FY23, these efforts resulted in 20,032 pounds and over 500 items reused, including office supplies, industrial shelving, monitors, and more! Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/wkusurplus/
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Resource Conservation invests significant energy into promoting waste-reduction education at WKU's M.A.S.T.E.R Plan orientation and at RA trainings. Resource Conservation has also partnered with Athletics to educate fans on recycling and composting.
Waste data were obtained from Kyle Davenport, Campus Services Manager, and Beth Gafford, Materials Management Manager.
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.