Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.14
Liaison Lindsey Kalkbrenner
Submission Date May 3, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Santa Clara University
OP-23: Waste Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.74 / 3.00 Lindsey Kalkbrenner
Director
Center for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Materials diverted from the solid waste landfill or incinerator:
1,115.56 Tons

Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
807.34 Tons

A brief description of programs, policies, infrastructure investments, outreach efforts, and/or other factors that contributed to the diversion rate, including efforts made during the previous three years:

Starting in 2009, containers, labels, and instructional signs have been replaced throughout campus (including residence halls) to standardize the University's waste diversion system. Colors on signs and container labels: Recycling = Blue; Landfill waste = Black or Red; Compost = Green.

This includes composting, recycling, E-Waste collection, and a TerraCycle program. All large campus events include at least one waste recovery station, which always include compost, recycle, and landfill bins.

Santa Clara University recycles plastics #1-7, paper, aluminum, and glass.

Every landfill waste receptacle is paired with a recycling receptacle throughout campus (outside, in academic buildings, and in residence halls).

Large waste containers (recycle, waste, and compost) paired with eye-level instructional signs are brought out for special events (whether indoor or outdoor).

The University began a pre- and post-consumer compost collection program in May of 2009. This has drastically further reduced waste sent to landfills.

Multiple departments & student organizations promote donation of items and waste diversion during the move-out period at the end of the year.

More information: http://www.scu.edu/sustainability/operations/waste.cfm


A brief description of any food donation programs employed by the institution:
---

A brief description of any pre-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:

Employees in the University’s kitchens sort all pre-consumer food waste for composting.


A brief description of any post-consumer food waste composting program employed by the institution:

Compost bins are provided adjacent to all recycling and landfill waste containers in Santa Clara's dining hall, all academic buildings, and all residence halls. A growing number of residence halls have compost collection bins for paper towels in their restrooms, and students can receive a free in-room compost collection container.


Does the institution include the following materials in its waste diversion efforts?:
Yes or No
Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers Yes
Food donations No
Food for animals No
Food composting Yes
Cooking oil Yes
Plant materials composting Yes
Animal bedding composting No
Batteries Yes
Light bulbs Yes
Toner/ink-jet cartridges Yes
White goods (i.e. appliances) Yes
Laboratory equipment Yes
Furniture Yes
Residence hall move-in/move-out waste Yes
Scrap metal Yes
Pallets No
Motor oil No
Tires No

Other materials that the institution includes in its waste diversion efforts:

TerraCycle programs: energy bar wrappers, beauty/cosmetic products, paired shoes, and writing instruments.


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.