Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.34
Liaison Elizabeth MacKenzie
Submission Date July 24, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Iowa
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.24 / 8.00 Elizabeth MacKenzie
Recycling Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 2,238 Tons 1,858 Tons
Materials composted 436 Tons 0 Tons
Materials donated or re-sold 1,015 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion 0 Tons 0 Tons
Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator 5,647 Tons 6,242 Tons
Total waste generated 9,336 Tons 8,100 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 July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017
Baseline Year July 1, 2009 June 30, 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):

In 2010 the University of Iowa adopted sustainability goals for the year 2020. One of these goals pertained to waste diversion and as such, 2010 is used as a baseline for University measures of waste production and diversion.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 6,651 5,496
Number of employees resident on-site 0 0
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 29,288 27,500
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 10,147 9,228
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 1,439.60 1,130.93
Weighted campus users 30,159.30 28,071.80

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.31 Tons 0.29 Tons

Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
0

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating or re-selling, performance year:
39.51

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
39.51

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 No
Other (please specify below) Yes

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

Blue medical cloth, batteries, motor oil, ballasts,


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) :
9 Tons

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?:
Yes

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?:
No

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?:
No

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:

Waste station monitoring at events, Signage to help with appropriate disposal of waste in some areas of campus, custodial monitoring of bins


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:

Signage in IMU Tippie, Recyclemania participation, tiny trash initiative.


A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:

The Office of Sustainability aims to perform at least 4 waste audits annually in buildings identified as generating the most waste on campus. There are student created and operated waste audits on campus, periodically throughout the academic year.


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:

The UI's Surplus program makes items available for reuse. In addition, the UI waste management team coordinates with the statewide Iowa Waste Exchange program as needed.


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):

University book store sells used textbooks at decreased rates. The Office of Sustainability facilitates an "Adopt-A-Bottle" program to prevent the placement of lost water bottles in the landfill, and rather, encourage their reuse.


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):

Double sided printing in mandated in the University Library, previously, printing fees were deducted from a pre-paid $10 account charge. This pre-paid program was removed, so printing is pay-as-you-go - this changes the printing incentive structure.


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:

Use of learning management systems allow professors to provide some course materials online. MyUI provides university resources online.


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

Students living in the University of Iowa residence halls reduce landfill waste by donating furniture, clothing, housewares, and other items at the Move-Out Donation Drive each May. The effort is organized by UI Housing, Goodwill of the Heartland, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Office of Sustainability, and the City of Iowa City. Students from UI student environmental organizations help load the items on the Goodwill and ReStore trucks. The Crisis Center of Johnson County collects non-perishable food, unopened hygiene items and cleaning supplies in the lobby of each residence hall during move-out week.


A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.