| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.23 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | Jan. 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Oregon State University
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.10 / 8.00 |
Andrea
Norris Outreach Coordinator Campus Recycling |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 766.67 Tons | 607 Tons |
| Materials composted | 665.42 Tons | 196 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 556.23 Tons | 121 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,580.57 Tons | 3,105 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 3,568.89 Tons | 4,029 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 | July 1, 2004 | June 30, 2005 |
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):
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 4,866 | 3,253 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 15 | 16 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 26,527.10 | 17,977 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 5,682.60 | 4,581 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 4,280.50 | 556 |
| Weighted campus users | 22,167.15 | 17,318.75 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.16 Tons | 0.23 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:
In addition to the commodities in the previous question, OSU also works to divert:
Styrofoam
Film plastics
Electronic storage media (CDs, VHS, floppy disks, etc.)
Electronics
Batteries (alkaline, lead, lithium, NiCd, NiNH, Mercury)
Fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts
Motor oil
Resale includes additional categories such as computers, shoes/clothing/housewares, office supplies, tools, sporting goods, vehicles and more (http://fa.oregonstate.edu/surplus)
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:
Bottles and cans are sorted to remove redeemable containers; major contaminants can be removed at this time. "No coffee cups" signs are on some but not all on-the-go recycling units.
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:
Waste Watchers
Campus Recycling and the Student Sustainability Initiative jointly operate a waste reduction-oriented volunteer club known as the Waste Watchers. Waste Watchers act as advocates for recycling and waste reduction by planning and hosting events to educate their peers.
#BeavsRecycle
The #BeavsRecycle campaign is an initiative that seeks to make recycling and waste reduction a social norm by celebrating OSU's recycling history and accomplishments. The campaign is planned by a committee composed of Waste Watcher volunteers, and engages with students through events, social media, and posters located at recycle bins and throughout campus. These marketing materials show well-known university students and employees in the act of reducing waste or providing their story on why they recycle.
Repair Fairs
Each term, the Student Sustainability Initiative and Campus Recycling hold Repair Fairs to foster a culture of repair and reuse over consumerism. The event allows students, staff, faculty, and members of the public to bring damaged items to receive free repairs. Repairs are given by volunteers - who teach attendees how to make future repairs, as well as fix the item - and cover a variety of categories: clothing, jewelry, bikes, appliances, electronics, housewares, computers, and musical instruments.
RecycleMania
OSU is a long-time participant in the national RecycleMania recycling contest. To promote the competition, Campus Recycling hosts events and collaborates with on-campus groups to host waste-related events of their own. Likewise, OSU and University of Oregon utilize a socially instilled rivalry to host a localized recycling competition between the two universities during the national competition, in order to further promote recycling.
Master Recycler Class
Campus Recycling partners with Republic Services to coordinate a Master Recycler program for Linn and Benton counties in Oregon. This 8-week course educates community members about all aspects of waste reduction and is offered for free to anyone willing to volunteer for 30 hours after completion of the course. The Master Recyclers volunteer at OSU and in the community to educate others about waste reduction.
Other Outreach
Campus Recycling employs one full-time staff and three (one more than last year) part-time student staff to work on outreach and the development of new programs, much of which focuses on behavior change. Outreach for recycling and composting occurs via educational events (RecycleMania, Beyond Earth Day, etc.), tabling at events, public presentations and workshops, collaborative partnerships, social media, etc.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
While OSU does not conduct waste audits on a regular basis, dumpster audits are done at least a few times per year, most often those from residence halls. This provides us with data on how residents are sorting from one year to the next.
An audit of the waste collected within the campus library during the weekend leading into student finals was conducted, in order to evaluate recycle rate and contamination, as well as any needs for additional recycling or compost. This audit served as an assessment for new waste management procedures implemented in the public space.
In winter and spring 2017, bins representing different campus environments were selected and materials audited during a sign study. In the first phase, materials in the recycling and trash bins were audited to identify which recyclables and contaminants are most common and need to be included on new signs. Best practice research was also conducted to inform new signage. In the second phase, different signage was tested and recycling bins audited to test the impact of the signage. Then statistical analysis was performed to determine if any of the results were significant. Our research and data is in use in 2017-18 to create new signs to install across campus.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
Section 307 of OSU's Procurement and Contract Services Manual addresses sustainable purchasing. Sections 307-001 and 307-002 relate to waste:
307-001: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover
"OSU will use sustainable purchasing by applying the methodology of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.” Whenever practicable, attention should be given to the environment through the evaluation of this methodology along with performance, life expectancy, quality, and value for money."
307-002: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policies
"When purchasing goods and services, Oregon State University will strive to balance short and long-term costs, maintenance, life cycle, and costs to the environment. Oregon State University is committed to identifying goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing goods and services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the product. Oregon State University is also committed to identifying companies that utilize environmentally preferable products and services. Companies that are able to supply environmentally preferable products and services (especially post-consumer recycled materials) that meet performance requirements will be encouraged to offer them in bids and proposals."
307-003: Environmental Education
"Oregon State University is committed to providing ongoing education to the university community about the importance of environmentally preferable purchasing. This may be accomplished through training workshops, seminars, and creating a web site training page dedicated to assisting campus departments with sustainable purchasing techniques. Existing environmentally friendly Contracts and agreements may be highlighted on the PaCS web page."
Source: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/pacs-manual/300-purchasing/307-sustainability
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
All property no longer needed by an OSU department is REQUIRED by OSU policy to be sent to Surplus Property for proper disposition.
Surplus Property's mission is to recycle or transfer excess or surplus property back to OSU departments, state and local governments, and qualified nonprofit organizations within the State of Oregon. Surplus property not sold to departments are offered for sale to the general public. Most items are offered through OSUsed Store sales and online auction sites. Some items may be offered through sealed bids or contract bids. The OSUsed Store hosts sales open to the public twice per week.
All office supplies and housewares that are $5 or less are offered to OSU departments free of charge, allowing OSU to offer office supplies for reuse within the university, without the need to facilitate a separate office supplies exchange program.
Binders are offered free for all.
Source: http://surplus.oregonstate.edu
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):
None available in 2016-17 for students or personal items. However, as noted in another section, at the Surplus Property store, all office supplies and housewares that are $5 or less are offered to OSU departments free of charge, allowing OSU to offer office supplies for reuse within the university without the need to facilitate a separate office supplies exchange program. Surplus also has a process to transfer property directly between departments at the university.
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):
Oregon State University does not offer free printing to students. All student computing facilities and the OSU Valley Library charge on a per page basis for the printing (5 cents per page, on average).
The Student Computer Facilities have policies that are in place to also eliminate wasteful printing and are as follows:
- Users will be billed for printing via their university account.
- Printing on two-sides, while not required, is asked and incentivized through reduced costs.
- Mass production of club flyers, newsletters, posters, is strictly prohibited. If multiple copies are desired, users need to go to an appropriate copying facility.
The OSU Valley Library also allows for printing but is restricted to OSU Students, Staff and Faculty. It is billed at a higher rate than the Student Computing Facilities:
Black and white: 7¢ one-sided and 9¢ two-sided
Color laser printing: 25¢ one-sided and 40¢ two-sided
Self-service photocopies: 7¢ with convenience card, 10¢ with cash
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 Oregon State University directory has moved online but there are still a limited number of OSU directories printed and available for pick up by OSU students as they would like.
OSU only offers printed versions of the course catalog to students if requested by the student. Otherwise all the information is kept online at catalog.oregonstate.edu. The course schedule and registration information is only available online for OSU students and no printed versions are provided at all.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
In 2007 a campus wide initiative to reduce move-in and move-out waste was started. Campus Recycling, Surplus Property, and University Housing and Dining Services join together in a coordinated effort to reduce move-in and move-out waste.
For move-in, resident directors and assistants inform incoming residents of the location of the recycling rooms (located on each floor), and residents receive 1-2 small recycle bins in their rooms. Campus Recycling increases the service rate during the move-in period to pick-up the increased amount of recycling, particularly of cardboard.
The annual Res. Hall Move-Out Donation Drive runs May through June. Marketing begins approximately one month in advance of move-out week. Each residence hall room receives a move-out kit, which includes a door hanger with details on how to donate and recycle unwanted materials, along with bags in which to sort the material in their room. Labeled donation bins were located in every res. hall lobby, along with all the recycle bins.
While a portion of the donations go to the OSUsed Store to recoup costs from the donation drive, the majority goes to local nonprofits. In 2017, the following donation materials were collected and processed:
15,502 lbs. of housewares
8,191 lbs. of clothing, linens and shoes
7,864 lbs. of reusable scrap wood
4,119 lbs. of food, toiletries and school supplies
A record breaking total of 35,676 pounds were donated! Additionally, previous years yielded: 22,967 pounds of donations in 2016; 33,950 in 2015; 23,784 in 2014; 25,979 in 2013; 20,122 in 2012; 17,558 in 2011; and 11,651 in 2010.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Repair Fairs
The Student Sustainability Initiative and Campus Recycling hold Repair Fairs each term to foster a culture of repair and reuse over consumerism. The event allows students, staff, faculty, and members of the public to bring damaged items to receive free repairs. Repairs are given by volunteers, who teach attendees how to fix the item and make future repairs, covering a variety of categories: clothing, jewelry, bikes, appliances, electronics, housewares, musical instruments, and computers.
Surplus Property
Our surplus program is well-established in our state, and we sell used items to departments, agencies, non-profits and the general public (at our once weekly public sales). This program accounts for a substantial amount of materials diverted from the landfill - in 2016-17 over $700,000 worth of surplus material was sold. Surplus also disassembles and recycles products that cannot be resold, landfilling only the items that are neither resellable nor recyclable.
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:
As compared to our 2005 baseline, data provided for this submission came from improved data gathering and waste hauling measurements.
As compared to our 2005 baseline, data provided for this submission came from improved data gathering and waste hauling measurements.
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.