Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.30
Liaison Emma Shipalesky
Submission Date June 19, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
OP-22: Waste Minimization

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.80 / 5.00 Dale Solberg
Manager Custodial and Grounds
Custodial Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Waste generated::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 458.16 Metric tons 52.99 Metric tons
Materials composted 602.21 Metric tons 0 Metric tons
Materials reused, donated or re-sold 0 Metric tons 0 Metric tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 736.03 Metric tons 1,044.17 Metric tons

Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of residential students 0 0
Number of residential employees 0 0
Number of in-patient hospital beds 0 0
Full-time equivalent enrollment 12,479 13,077.65
Full-time equivalent of employees 2,269.95 2,572.21
Full-time equivalent of distance education students 1,049.76 968.88

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2013 June 30, 2014
Baseline Year July 1, 2011 June 30, 2012

A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
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A brief description of any (non-food) waste audits employed by the institution:
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A brief description of any institutional procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
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A brief description of any surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:

All surplus materials is brought to the NAIT Distribution Centre for redeployment, scrap or recycling. NAIT staff has the ability to contact the Distribution Centre to review and redeploy equipment as needed.
If equipment is not wanted it is then sent to Alberta Government Surplus who then will sell it at auction or send it for recycling.


A brief description of the institution's efforts to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:

NAIT is consciously reducing the amount of printed materials where possible and combining other materials wherever it makes sense.
NAIT still publishes a Viewbook for full-time student recruitment, although the quantity is being reduced every year as more students choose to download the complete online version or customize an online Viewbook focused only on the programs of interest to them (customizable option was initiated in 2009/10).
A comprehensive calendar of full-time program information was discontinued in 2008, replaced by online program information.
Catalogs of continuing education courses (part-time learning) are available both in print and online.
A separate catalog of distance learning courses was discontinued in 2011; those courses are now combined with other part-time offerings in the one Continuing Education calendar.
In 2012, a separate catalog of Computer Training Centre courses will be discontinued, with these course descriptions included in the Continuing Education calendar.
The paper application form used for full-time programs was discontinued in 2010; applications are now made exclusively online.


A brief description of any limits on paper and ink consumption employed by the institution:

Students use their Equitrac Accounts in order to pay for printing in computer labs and the Library. In specific labs where students are able to print practice exams at no charge, a maximum of three exams is allowed. In addition, the Equitrac system is used by students to pay for photocopying.


A brief description of any programs employed by the institution to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:

N/A


A brief description of any other (non-food) waste minimization strategies employed by the institution:

The Auto Service, Auto Body, OPET, Painter Decorator, and Parts training programs recycle all fluids from service work, including oil, anti Freeze and brake fluids, as well as any plastic containers from service work. Batteries are recycled. The tools and equipment in the Auto Body program minimize and collect sanding dust. Students now use electronic service information and paper manuals are no longer used. We are moving to digital task sheets for students in our shops, going away from paper.


A brief description of any food waste audits employed by the institution:

Each individual kitchen/kiosk tracks waste and reviews with supervisor on a regular basis to look for ways to reduce the amount of waste.


A brief description of any programs and/or practices to track and reduce pre-consumer food waste in the form of kitchen food waste, prep waste and spoilage:

Our kitchens collect material for use in the Biology Sciences Technology vermicompost program and the Alternative Energy Technology Department. Used oil is picked up and recycled as an alternative energy program. This year we are trialing a contract service to have the oil used as an energy source for a small travelling carnival. Use a ' Just in Time' inventory system to ensure that spoilage is minimal.


A brief description of programs and/or practices to track and reduce post-consumer food waste:

Food Services plans all menu items based on specific specifications and portion sizes and strictly monitors food costs to ensure that these specifications are being followed. Elevated food costs are addressed promptly.


A brief description of the institution's provision of reusable and/or third party certified compostable to-go containers for to-go food and beverage items (in conjunction with a composting program):

We concentrate efforts on recycling and waste management ensuring that where possible packaging is biodegradable or recyclable and/or made from recycled material. Decisions on which disposables are used are made with an evaluation of three criteria: reduced production footprint, compostability, recyclability. All paper napkins in Food Services are made from 100% recycled materials and are unbleached.


A brief description of the institution's provision of reusable service ware for “dine in” meals and reusable and/or third party certified compostable service ware for to-go meals (in conjunction with a composting program):

Ernest's Dining Room uses all reusable service ware for dine in meals as does NAIT Catering for evening hot meal service (reusable ware is availalbe for all catering services on request).


A brief description of any discounts offered to customers who use reusable containers (e.g. mugs) instead of disposable or compostable containers in to-go food service operations:

NAIT Food Services offers a 15 cent discount to customers using their own mug at all locations including franchises. We also offer a 'VIP' day each month where coffee and tea are free to customers who bring in their own mug to encourage the use of reusable mugs.
Re-usable mugs are given away or sold at cost to increase the use of the own mug program.


A brief description of other dining services waste minimization programs and initiatives:

Excess product is sent to charitable organizations on a regular basis.


The website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization initiatives is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.