| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.90 |
| Liaison | Paul Mathisen |
| Submission Date | April 16, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
OP-23: Waste Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.95 / 3.00 |
Liz
Tomaszewski Facilities Systems Manager/Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Department |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Materials diverted from the solid waste landfill or incinerator:
313.61
Tons
None
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
680.07
Tons
None
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:
WPI uses contract recycler Waste Management for paper and cardboard; IRN for e-waste; Superior Waste and Recycling for bottles, cans. Food waste is sent to a local pig farmer. Tree limbs and grass trimmings are brought to a local recycling center. WPI reaches out to community nonprofits and schools to repurpose surplus furniture. If surplus furniture remains, it is donated to ReStore, the Habitat for Humanity Store. There is an email alias potpourri@wpi.edu, which operates in a manner similar to craigslist but limited to the WPI community, and this alias is used to sell, trade, or give away unwanted items. The Department of Facilities and Student Green Team hold a free electronics waste drive annually for the entire WPI community. Gordon Library holds a used book sale as part of EarthFest activities. In addition, Undergraduate Admissions went paperless in its application process in 2011 and Graduate Admissions went paperless in 2012, substantially decreasing the amount of paper generated on campus.
None
A brief description of any food donation programs employed by the institution:
Surplus food is regularly donated to local agencies that have needs for food. Donations averaging over 200 pounds per month are made to agencies such as the Worcester Veterans Shelter, Rachel's Table, and Worcester County Food Bank.
None
A brief description of any pre-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:
Pre-consumer food waste from Morgan Hall and Campus Center is picked up regularly by a local pig farmer, who then transports it back to his farm. There is no charge to the farmer or to WPI for this mutually beneficial arrangement.
None
A brief description of any post-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:
Post-consumer food waste from Morgan Hall and Campus Center is picked up regularly by a local pig farmer, who then transports it back to his farm. There is no charge to the farmer or to WPI for this mutually beneficial arrangement.
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 | Yes |
| Food composting | Yes |
| Cooking oil | Yes |
| Plant materials composting | Yes |
| Animal bedding composting | Yes |
| 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 |
None
Other materials that the institution includes in its waste diversion efforts:
In addition to recycling old computer parts, our Information Technology reworks old but usable computers for re-use in the local school district, and the institution offers a free electronics waste drive to the entire WPI community each spring.
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---
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.