| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.34 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | Jan. 4, 2024 |
Oregon State University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Ava
Wright Intern Sustainability Office |
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Name of the campaign:
A brief description of the campaign:
OSU Campus Recycling and Surplus Property, in collaboration with University Housing and Dining, coordinated an effort -- the Great Move Out Donation Drive -- to reduce waste during residence hall move-out by educating residents and giving them the tools to recycle and donate as much as possible.
Residents were made aware of the upcoming donation drive starting one month in advance. Information was provided via abundant signage inside the halls, large posters at each UHDS service center, notices in the Campus Living eNewsletter, a presentation to the Residence Hall Association General Assembly, posts on social media, and a web page made just for residents. Each residence hall room also received a door hanger with details on how to donate and recycle unwanted materials. In addition, Eco-Reps (student employees that advance sustainability in the residence halls) engaged with residents about the move-out campaign. Labeled donation bins were located in the lobby next to recycle bins.
Donations were given to local non-profit organizations.
https://fa.oregonstate.edu/recycling/events-and-opportunities/great-move-out-donation-drive
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:
In 2023, 32,210 pounds of donations were received.
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
University Housing and Dining (UHDS), in partnership with OSU Campus Recycling, launched the Reusable Cups Initiative to reduce disposable cup landfill waste and encourage use of reusable drink containers. Starting in January 2023, a 25-cent charge was added to all drinks in disposable, single-use cups. Guests in UHDS cafes are encouraged to bring their empty, clean containers every time they stop in. Reusable containers are available for purchase in many campus cafes and stores, and can be found discounted or free at the OSUsed Store or Community Engagement & Leadership office. This charge model was inspired by similar initiatives in Canada, Scotland, and a private university in the U.S. that has since discontinued the program. OSU is the first public university to track the sales data and results of this menu change.
Employees and students are engaged in several ways. The Reusable Cups Initiative is shared widely on OSU Sustainability Office/Campus Recycling social media accounts and in the bi-weekly sustainability newsletter. The Cups initiative was also shared in the Vice President of Finance and Administration's quarterly newsletter in 2023, which is sent to employees in this division. Posters about the Cups Campaign are located in each UHDS cafe, and UHDS employees have been instructed to ask each guest if they will be using a reusable cup. In addition, the OSU Waste Watchers group and Campus Recycling have promoted the campaign at community, student, and employee-facing events, such as the Beaver Community Fair.
https://uhds.oregonstate.edu/food/sustainability-initiative#CUPS
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
When comparing the Spring terms of 2022 (no Reusable Cups Initiative) and 2023 (Reusable Cups Initiative), UHDS and OSU Campus Recycling found an average increase of about 378 reusable cups used weekly across campus, with nearly identical overall sales during these periods. Through this program, the university diverted approximately 4,150 disposable cups from the landfill during FY23. The initiative is continuously improving for better waste reduction outcomes.
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.