Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Karen Marin-Hines
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Texas Tech University
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Lisa Simmons
Section Coordinator
Planning & Administration
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 690 Tons 345 Tons
Materials composted 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 3,672 Tons 3,614 Tons
Total waste generated 4,362 Tons 3,959 Tons

A brief description of the residual conversion facility, including affirmation that materials are sorted prior to conversion to recover recyclables and compostable materials:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year Jan. 1, 2016 Dec. 31, 2016
Baseline Year Jan. 1, 2010 Dec. 31, 2010

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):
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Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 7,423 6,592
Number of employees resident on-site 288 203
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 32,122 29,702
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 6,522 4,167.25
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 1,000 2,980
Weighted campus users 30,160.75 24,865.69

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.14 Tons 0.16 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
9.16

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
15.82

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
15.82

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 No
Cooking oil Yes
Plant materials Yes
Animal bedding No
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) No

A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:

Bicycles, clothing, and Styrofoam.


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) :
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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?:
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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?:
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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?:
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Average contamination rate for the institution’s recycling program (percentage, 0-100):
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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:
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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:
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A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
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A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste (e.g. by minimizing packaging and purchasing in bulk):
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A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:

Surplus property is stored centrally and offered for requisition to, and by, any Texas Tech entity. Property not claimed from surplus is liquidated via public auction.


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):
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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):

Printing is tracked and charged via an e-card system embedded in each student's University ID card.


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:

Texas Tech University has reduced printed course catalogs, schedules, and directories. Students, faculty, and staff access these services via the internet.


A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:

Housing Services' recycling center provides containers for recyclable waste. These containers are provided on a year-round basis at all residence hall locations. Extra container services are implemented at move in/out, including cardboard containers and additional pickup locations. Housing Services has purchased a styrofoam densifier to reduce/recyle styrofoam collected around campus, particularly on move-in days for the residence halls.


A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:

Operations Division provides a metal recycling roll off, to collect metal recyclables from shops, labs, and others on campus. Cardboard recycle bins are placed behind each dining hall to collect cardboard and recycle. Housing Services operates a recycle center that is used by student, faculty, and staff on campus; additionally, they encourage and accept recyclables from city residents.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.