| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.28 |
| Liaison | Katie Koscielak |
| Submission Date | April 21, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Cal Poly Humboldt
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.20 / 8.00 |
Morgan
King Sustainability & Waste Coordinator Facilities Management |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 379.40 Tons | 214.60 Tons |
| Materials composted | 75.99 Tons | 6.25 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 68.61 Tons | 2.90 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 86.14 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 417.90 Tons | 714.20 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 1,028.04 Tons | 937.95 Tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
HSU collects recycling separately from landfill waste. Both landfill waste and recycling are hauled separately to the Eel River Resource Recovery (ERRR) processing facility in Samoa, California. Recoverable recyclables are separated out of the landfill waste at the facility and then recycled by ERRR. By contract, the facility conducts an audit of HSU’s landfill waste a minimum of three times a year and reports this waste characterization back to the university. The facility does not separate out 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, 2015 | June 30, 2016 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2006 |
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):
This is the same baseline year that was used to report on this credit when HSU submitted its first STARS report in 2013. We continue to use this baseline to track progress in our waste reduction efforts.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,047 | 1,271 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 6 | 3 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 8,228 | 6,850.85 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 1,284.80 | 1,231.02 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 75.20 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 7,591.45 | 6,379.90 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.14 Tons | 0.15 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 |
| 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:
Dining Services uses Kimberly-Clark nitrile disposable gloves. These are recycled through the KC RightCycle program (http://www.kcprofessional.com/brands/kimtech/rightcycle). Ceramics (from the Art Department), porcelain, plate glass, concrete and other hardscape materials are hauled to Kernen Construction (www.kernenconstruction.com), where these materials are ground up to be re-used as road base. Clean wood and pallets are re-used, donated to community for re-purpose, or hauled to green waste facility where the material is ground up. Sheet rock is hauled to Alves Inert Debris Recycling Center (www.thinkalvesinc.com/recycling). Electronics are recycled through ECS Refining (www.ecsrefining.com). Ink cartridges (used and un-used) are recycled through PCR America (www.pcramerica.com).
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:
The university’s contract with the local resource recovery facility stipulates that the facility conduct a minimum of three waste characterization studies of the university’s solid waste stream each calendar year.
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:
The Waste Reduction & Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) is a paid student program that implements education and behavior change focused projects for the entire campus community. For example, WRRAP conducts “trash talks”, manning the trash, recycling and compost bins in the eateries to help educate campus users about proper disposal. WRRAP works with Residence life to hold a compost competition with the residence halls, which includes a prize for the least amount of contamination per person in the compost bin for your building. WRRAP works with the Office of Sustainability to implement “Zero Waste Zones” on campus, working with departments and custodial staff to reduce waste in office spaces.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
Facilities Management conducts spot audits of dumpsters of concern, reporting the results to departments using the dumpsters in question. WRRAP conducts pre- and post-audits of departmental workspaces when developing Zero Waste Zones. Often Facilities works with an Environmental Science capstone course to conduct waste audits of a certain area on campus and to develop behavior change projects.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
In 2014 HSU Dining, which manages all campus eateries and markets, and the HSU Bookstore phased out single-use plastic bags. In 2011 HSU Dining and the Bookstore phased out the sales of bottled water. HSU Contracts, Procurement and Accounts Payable has a Sustainable Procurement group that works on integrating sustainability into procurement policies and procedures. Go to https://www2.humboldt.edu/procurement/sustainability for more information.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
The Office of Sustainability (OS) oversees disposal of capital and non-capital assets, including computer equipment, science equipment, office furniture, vehicles, Grounds and building materials. If a capital asset, departments are required to determine whether or not an item slated for disposal is still in working condition. If a non-capital asset, the OS determines whether or not the item should be kept for surplus. The OS prioritizes re-use over recycling, and to this end stores surplus until it can hold a give-away (to other State and Public Agencies first, then to non-profits) and auction (general public). The OS also works with local non-profits and charities that take used building materials, clothing, and other unusual items. In calendar year 2015, the OS facilitated the re-use of 56.5 tons of material. The Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) depot is located on campus, where the campus community can donate and shop for lightly used classroom and office supplies. ROSE has two paid students to oversee its inventory, conduct outreach and hold workshops on creative re-use.
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):
Networked campus copiers and printers with duplex capability can be remotely set to automatically print double sided, unless the default is over-ridden. In April of 2014, as per mandate from the Vice President of Administrative Affairs, Information Technology Services (ITS) set networked printer/copiers in all of the Administrative Affairs division to default two sided, black and white printing. ITS has also set computer lab printers to default two-sided.
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:
The HSU course catalog, schedules and directories are all available online. The campus uses Moodle 2.8, a learning management system for faculty to post course information, conduct class discussions, create assignments, take attendance, use Clicker technology, and hold and grade exams online.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
The week of move-out is also known as “Donation Dash.” During this time, local charities partner with the Office of Sustainability and WRRAP to reduce move-out waste. These groups set up “Donation Stations” at the residence halls; all residents are required to bring their waste – trash, recycling, compost, donate-able goods – to the Donation Station, where volunteers help sort the items. In May of 2016 Donation Dash led to 14.3 tons of goods being donated to local charities.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
The Office of Sustainability works with a local affiliate of the Shoebox Recycling Program, http://www.communityrecycling.biz/programs/shoebox-recycling, which collects shoes for re-use in other countries. Shoes are collected from residents and Athletics throughout the year.
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:
Go to www.humboldt.edu/wrrap for more information on waste reduction education and outreach programs, the Reusable Office Supply Exchange, and other waste reduction resources. Go to https://www2.humboldt.edu/sustainability/recycling for more information on campus-wide waste reduction initiatives.
During Fall 2016, the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund approved a project to implement a platform to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse (e.g. of electronics, furnishings, books and other goods). It is anticipated that the project will be implemented by the Waste Reduction & Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) during Fall 2017 and is called "Campus Wall" (an online website for exchange of goods, designed to be restricted to the Humboldt State campus community). Read more about Campus Wall here: http://mycampuswall.com/
Go to www.humboldt.edu/wrrap for more information on waste reduction education and outreach programs, the Reusable Office Supply Exchange, and other waste reduction resources. Go to https://www2.humboldt.edu/sustainability/recycling for more information on campus-wide waste reduction initiatives.
During Fall 2016, the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund approved a project to implement a platform to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse (e.g. of electronics, furnishings, books and other goods). It is anticipated that the project will be implemented by the Waste Reduction & Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) during Fall 2017 and is called "Campus Wall" (an online website for exchange of goods, designed to be restricted to the Humboldt State campus community). Read more about Campus Wall here: http://mycampuswall.com/
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.