| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.25 |
| Liaison | Sarah Fortner |
| Submission Date | March 20, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Carleton College
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.83 / 8.00 |
Alexandra
Miller Sustainability Program Coordinator Energy and Sustainability |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 585.67 Tons | 525 Tons |
| Materials composted | 285.69 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 | 557.27 Tons | 544 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 1,428.63 Tons | 1,069 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 | Aug. 1, 2010 | July 30, 2011 |
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):
In 2010 Carleton switched waste collection vendors and started to require more rigorous data collection.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 1,790 | 1,584 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 28 | 40 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 2,023 | 1,998 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 747.29 | 664 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 2,532.22 | 2,402.50 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.56 Tons | 0.44 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 | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | 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:
Aerosol cans, office supply swap shop, Terracycle (granola wrappers, chip bags, writing implements)
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:
In FY 17 we resigned everything across campus using infographics for easier comparison than aging pictures. We also do a presentation to students during freshman orientation that is required for all freshman to attend. During our annual Climate Action Week we have what is called the "No Impact Challenge" where students compete to see who can reduce their waste the most by carrying it around all week.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
In FY17, sustainability staff began conducting specialized audits in individual offices and departments across campus. We found that when specifically targeting one group, diversion rates were higher with less contamination. We followed up with education and a second audit to confirm our tactics were working. our most successful audit went from 78% to a 95% diversion rate.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
In 2014, Carleton started working with Cort Furniture to manage visiting faculty apartment furniture. The program works such that when the college no longer needs the furniture, it is reused by other subscribers. This limits the amount of furniture that is purchased and thrown away. We also use this service to furnish our student union.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
The Carleton Office Supply Swap is housed in the Sustainability Office. Staff and faculty can drop off unwanted supplies or pick up things they need at no charge. A sign-in sheet tracks usage.
The Sustainability Office also sells items that are no longer needed at the college through GovDeals.com. In FY17, we sold $41,462 worth of usable goods, thus diverting them from the landfill. This money is put into a zero waste fund, that is currently funding a waste study on campus, details to come in the 2019 STARS report.
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):
We have a weekly newsletter where we encourage faculty and staff to post items their department no longer needs. This is a campus-wide newsletter, not just a sustainability one.
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):
Carleton uses PaperCut as its print management solution for students. The program charges $0.04 for white and black and $0.15 for color per page. Students start off each academic year with a $30 credit, meaning the first 750 white and black pages are free until students begin to pay out of their own pocket. The system also tracks faculty and staff printing, helping the sustainability office role out an educational campaign to campus about printing.
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:
Carleton's course catalog is available online and registration is an online process. The Carleton online directory is the primary source for staff, faculty and student directory information, there are no printed faculty/staff directories. Our invoices and personnel information are stored on a secure server online as well with shared access between necessary departments. Job postings are sent out via email to the entire campus from HR.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Carleton has the "Lighten Up Garage Sale" at the end of every year, where the Center for Civic and Community Engagement organizes drop-off receptacles for students' unwanted possessions. The resulting sale generates profits for local charities. In FY17, Lighten Up donated $32,000 to local charities. In addition, Carleton has a tri-weekly newsletter called the NNB (Noon News bulletin) in which students can put free ads for items that they are looking to buy, sell or give away. We do not measure the weight of donated or reused items, however the quantity is very high.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Our ITS purchases electronics with minimal packaging where possible.
We have a disposal policy that asks for items to be used again within the college before selling or donating it. If the item cannot be sold or donated, then proper disposal is required. The Sustainability Program Coordinator position was created to help ease the burden of finding proper recycling and disposal of items. Items are also posted on an online auction sight and profits from the sale go toward sustainability projects on campus.
Our shop manager also handles aerosol cans, batteries, light bulbs, electronics, etc. to be recycled. Batteries can be dropped off at three locations across campus, or through the Specialized Waste Disposal Form on the facilities website.
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:
Carleton's waste stream is measured on a volume basis, so compost, recycling, and landfill waste weights are rough estimates.
Carleton students and the institution donate, reuse and resell a huge number of goods. Unfortunately, due to the high volume and the difficulty of weighing all those items, we are unable to say how many tons we divert each year.
Dining Services sustainability initiatives can be found here: https://apps.carleton.edu/campus/dining_services/localgrowers/
Carleton's waste stream is measured on a volume basis, so compost, recycling, and landfill waste weights are rough estimates.
Carleton students and the institution donate, reuse and resell a huge number of goods. Unfortunately, due to the high volume and the difficulty of weighing all those items, we are unable to say how many tons we divert each year.
Dining Services sustainability initiatives can be found here: https://apps.carleton.edu/campus/dining_services/localgrowers/
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.