Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 42.13
Liaison Eva Rocke
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Montana
OP-19: Waste Minimization and Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.98 / 8.00 Madeleine Jones
ASUM Sustainability Coordinator
ASUM
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total waste generated (and diverted):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Materials recycled 194.57 Tons 159.69 Tons
Materials composted 22 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 1,750 Tons 1,967.78 Tons
Total waste generated 1,966.57 Tons 2,127.47 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, 2005 Dec. 31, 2005

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 2,679 2,744
Number of employees resident on-site 14 4
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 10,223 11,698
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 2,103 1,772
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 289 184
Weighted campus users 9,701 10,651.50

Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total waste generated per weighted campus user 0.20 Tons 0.20 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:
11.01

Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
11.01

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 No
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 Yes
Other (please specify below) No

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

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) :
---

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?:
No

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?:
Yes

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:
---

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:

Campus Thrift is a springtime event wherein the sustainability offices and a large team of volunteers collect donated items as students move out of the residence halls. Items are sorted, organized, and sold at a large garage sale just after graduation. The event makes money for the sustainability offices and promotes reuse among students and community members. We sell 2/3 of the mini-fridges and microwaves in the fall to incoming students in the residence halls to prevent more small appliance purchasing and waste at the end of the year.


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

Every fall, UM Recycling and the sustainability offices audit the recycling from several residence halls to monitor the contamination rates and identify better strategies for student education and outreach. We have seen lower contamination rates in the Residence Halls, but we have not yet performed a large scale waste audit that would provide sufficient data for campus-wide contamination rates.


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 University has a property surplus office that is responsible for inventory and exchange of materials such as office equipment, scientific equipment, furniture, bikes, and supplies.


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):

Free printing is limited across campus. All computer labs charge students to print once a certain number of copies is reached.


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:

Course catalogs are only available on-line and schedule and directories are also available on-line. There are several methods used by faculty and the library to post course materials on-line, including widespread use of Moodle.


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

Recycling is picked up, nonstop, for four days and recycling trailers are located at every dorm. Furniture, electronics, and clothing are opportunistically reused. Campus Thrift (described above) collects donated items from students leaving the residence halls and sells the items as a fundraiser for the recycling program and sustainability office.


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:

Edi Stan- UM Recycling and Waste Manger
E-Mail- edi.stan@mso.umt.edu
Phone- (406) 243-5795


Edi Stan- UM Recycling and Waste Manger
E-Mail- edi.stan@mso.umt.edu
Phone- (406) 243-5795

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.