| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.71 |
| Liaison | Rosemary Potter |
| Submission Date | Nov. 28, 2023 |
TAFE Queensland Robina Campus
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.42 / 8.00 |
George
Anderson Director, Property & Facilities TQGC |
Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 13.83 Metric tons | 13.83 Metric tons |
| Materials composted | 2.12 Metric tons | 2.12 Metric tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 0 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Metric tons | 0 Metric tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 36.11 Metric tons | 36.11 Metric tons |
| Total waste generated | 52.06 Metric tons | 52.06 Metric tons |
A brief description of the residual conversion facility:
Not applicable
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
Robina Campus is a new build and has been in operation for the 2022/2023 financial year.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 1,608 | 1,608 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 101 | 101 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 1,281.75 | 1,281.75 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.04 Metric tons | 0.04 Metric 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 | No |
| Animal bedding | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | No |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | No |
| Furniture | No |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | No |
| Scrap metal | No |
| 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:
Robina Campus runs a SWAP SHOP service where staff and students bring in unwanted items for reuse by another individual. Other activities have included:
*A SPRING CLOTHES SWAP day was organised to reduce clothing waste.
*Behive boxes for items such as coffee capsules, batteries, etc.
*Mobile phones - given to Police Force to assist Domestic Violence individuals
*Linen - participated in the Sheridan Recycling Initiative
Materials intended for disposal but subsequently recovered and reused on campus, performance year:
Does the institution use single stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program:
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
Robina Campus uses 4 different bins for rubbish including a collection of recyclable containers that exclude a refund and another bin for containers where a 10c refund is available. TAFE Queensland has partnered with Containers for Change Waste Recycling Initiatives (Envirobank) where the funds received go towards funding TQ Gold Coast student scholarships and sustainable initiatives.
We work closely with our partner Envirobank to set up data and a dashboard to show the visibility of our collections and to help raise awareness among staff and students.
We are currently in negotiations with Cleanaway, our supplier for waste removal from our bins, to provide monthly reporting statistics which we can add to our Bi report. Our current Bi report is used to capture all data and provide visuals to staff and students about our progress with waste minimisation.
A brief description of the institution's waste-related behavior change initiatives:
Robina Campus has partnered with the City of Gold Coast Council to implement a range of initiatives such as Rubbish Man. In addition, Robina Campus runs weekly lunchbox sessions inviting our partners such as Envirobank and Behive to speak to students. Our system of recycling bins is highlighted with TV screen messages, and QR codes to explain how to use the bins, along with regular messaging in staff and student communique(see image).
CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE Waste Recycling Initiatives
In May 2023, the Gold Coast Region (including Robina Campus) commenced rolling out exciting Waste Recycling initiatives. Robina campus – the existing recycling bins will be used for the Containers for Change program. There has been a launch of the program for students and staff, highlighting the purpose of the program and funds distribution. Ashmore campus - Commencing in May, new recycling bins will be placed around the Ashmore Campus as part of the Containers for Change Program. The Program was launched with a BBQ for students and staff. Funds received from the Containers for Change program will go towards funding TQ Gold Coast student scholarships and sustainable initiatives. Waste stream bin stations - in addition, three waste stream bin stations (General, Recycling, and Refundable Containers) will be placed in various locations at the Ashmore and Southport campuses to reduce the disposal of waste to landfill.
WEEKLY LUNCHBOX SESSIONS
Robina Campus runs weekly lunchbox sessions inviting our partners such as Envirobank and Behive to speak to students.
Our system of recycling bins is highlighted with TV screen messages, QR codes to explain how to use the bins, along with regular messaging in staff and student communique. Robina Campus has run several campaigns to help minimise waste and change behaviours including:
*Sheridan Sheet Recycling
*Mobile phone disposal and recycling for Domestic Violence
*Swap shop
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
The facilities team perform daily checks on waste contamination and volumes to ensure that waste to landfill minimisation and recycling is at optimal level. This is facilitated through a visual inspection, Where contamination is identified, this is resolved if possible. A camera has also been installed in the waste room to identify where particular issues with contamination are coming from.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
As a Queensland Government owned organisation, TAFE Queensland is currently aligning its procurement policies to prevent waste with the Queensland Government’s document ‘Integrating sustainability into the procurement process’ document.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Not applicable
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
Robina Campus runs a SWAP SHOP service where staff and students bring in unwanted items for reuse by another individual. Other activities have included:
*A SPRING CLOTHES SWAP day was organised to reduce clothing waste.
*Behive boxes for items such as coffee capsules, batteries, etc.
*Mobile phones - given to Police Force to assist Domestic Violence individuals
*Linen - participated in the Sheridan Recycling Initiative
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
Robina Campus utilises a range of strategies to limit the use of paper and ink consumption. These initiatives include:
*QR codes on all advertising and information points so that individuals can use their mobile devices to access further information.
*Technology Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) spaces ensure the use of technology is maximised to improve access to learning and decrease the need to print and use paper.
*CONNECT, our Learning Management System (LMS) stores all educational materials online including content, activities, and assessment.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
All of Robina Campus course material is on our Learning Management System (LMS) CONNECT which does not require educators or students to print materials. At Robina Campus, the Adult Migration Education Program (AMEP) is delivered. AMEP students are being educated on the technology available which moves towards achieving a paper-less campus, especially printed material.
Technology-enabled active learning (TEAL) spaces - creating learning spaces that are accessible, inclusive and support equitable quality education has been critical to our success. This has been achieved through our use of technology-enabled learning spaces that are flexible and multi-purpose, including movable furniture, innovative desks, and sit/stand desks that don’t require electricity. There are screens on multiple walls, with no ‘front of the class’ delivery required, and teachers are trained to reconfigure and use the spaces most effectively. Roof-mounted cameras allow for live streaming of lessons, and teachers are equipped with technology that allows them to move around the room, engage in flexible delivery, and stream wirelessly to multiple screens within the learning space.
The increased access to technology for teachers and students has reduced the need for paper-based resources and therefore printing. We strive to be a paperless campus.
The use of QR codes on all advertising reduces the need to print multiple copies of flyers and initiatives."
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Not applicable
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
Robina Campus has initiated programs to recover and reuse the following:
*Mobile phones - these phones are handed over to the Qld Police Force which reuses them as mobile devices for victims of domestic abuse
*Linen - the Sheridan Recycling Program takes the items to be made into recycled yarn that is repurposed into new products.
*Clothing - Robina Campus organised a Spring Clean Clothes Swap program to reduce waste
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
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.