| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.91 |
| Liaison | Julie Hopper |
| Submission Date | Dec. 20, 2023 |
University of Southern California
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Julie
Hopper Data Analyst Office of Sustainability |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Starting in 2015, Coliseum Operations staff partnered with USC’s Office of Sustainability and USC Athletics to establish the venue’s Zero Waste Program. The goal of this program was to aim for a 90% or higher diversion rate for all games and events at the stadium. Since 2015, sustainability efforts have diverted over 1,200 tons of game day waste from the landfill.
During the 2021 football season, the Coliseum’s zero waste program achieved an 86% waste diversion rate. Of the 74 tons of waste generated in the stadium during the season, approximately 64 tons were recovered through recycling and composting practices. A total of 24 tons of compost has been recovered, and 40 tons of material has been recycled, compared to just 10 tons of waste sent to the landfill. In February 2023, the Busch Light Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum (LAMC) became NASCAR's first zero waste event. Supported by USC and LAMC staff, the race event achieved a 90.1% waste diversion rate, diverting more than 11.7 tons of waste from landfills
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the largest stadium in the Pac-12 and the second-largest college stadium in the United States to achieve zero waste. By working with the venue’s janitorial and custodial staff, waste hauler, and concessionaires, USC has been able to establish a nearly closed-loop system addressing:
- Upstream product manufacturing through the establishment of strict sustainable purchasing policies
- Strict on-site material handling through ample waste bin infrastructure and educational signage, as well as a behind-the-scenes hand sorting operation.
- Downstream waste processing through waste hauler composting and sorted recycling services, as well as third party vendor material repurposing, such as used cooking grease collection for conversion to biofuels, and leftover food donations to local food banks.
The Zero Waste Program stands out as an example of how USC has used sports programming as a tool to advance sustainability, helping to integrate sustainable policy and environmental responsibility into the culture of the university. Operationally, the Zero Waste Program has not only resulted in numerous awards and accolades from the County and third party environmental organizations, but has also become a focal point for university sustainability, allowing engagement with hundreds of thousands of attendees, and setting an example for sports venues and our fellow universities.
Events and games played at the Coliseum have also been used as an educational platform both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, the events and games are examples of sustainability in action, raising eco-consciousness while creating an expectation of green practices for the hundreds of thousands of USC staff, students and general public (around 50,000 attendees per game), who then become advocates themselves promoting zero waste and prioritizing sustainability on and off campus.
Directly, the LA Coliseum has become a 'Living Lab' for students in the Environmental Studies class: "ENST-499: Operations and Impacts of Zero Waste Events", taught by Professor Monalisa Chatterjee. In this experiential learning class, students obtain hands-on experience with the processes and staff needed to achieve zero waste during big events and games, gain experience with utilizing life cycle analysis to evaluate the impacts of products used by the LAMC vendors, and collect data on waste diversion, human awareness and behavior related to recyclable material and waste disposal during LAMC events (syllabus attached).
Recent Awards:
2023 CRRA Outstanding Practices in Venue/Event Resource Recovery Award
2022 Green Sports Alliance Net Zero Waste Champion
2022 Pac-12 Zero Waste Fan Engagement Award: University of Southern California
2021 Pac-12 Zero Waste Challenge Champion (First Place)
2020 ENR California Best Renovation/Restoration Project
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Waste
Website URL where more information about the accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
On September 6th, 2023, USC celebrated the grand opening of the 1,500 square-foot Sustainability Hub. The Hub is a collaborative, inclusive and multiuse gathering space for advancing sustainability at USC. The space features a biophilic design that helps to connect the indoor space to the outdoors. It has large windows, natural light and wall coverings that feature trees and plants native to California. The Hub is a space that physically celebrates and centers President Folt’s sustainability “moonshot” for USC; as such, it features sustainable building materials and furniture to help lower its carbon footprint, including photo wall coverings made with biodegradable ink and lounge chairs made with 99% recyclable materials.
The Hub provides several different areas to promote productive and collaborative work modes, including Zoom booths and two-person meeting pods; two open collaborative spaces with large tables and chairs; modular couches; a shared kitchen; e-waste and battery recycling; and the FreeSCycle pop-up boutique where students, faculty, and staff can get items from USC Lost and Found. These free items are cleaned and curated by Hub interns; instead of ending up in landfill, these items get a second life and Trojans are encouraged to reuse small electronics, sunglasses, book bags, etc.
The Sustainability Hub is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and staffed by student-workers from the Presidential Sustainability Internship Program.
View the link below to learn more about the hub:
https://sustainability.usc.edu/take-action/hub/
View the document below to learn about the sustainable materials used in the Hub.
News Articles:
https://news.usc.edu/usc-celebrates-new-sustainability-hub-in-the-heart-of-the-university-park-campus/
https://dailytrojan.com/2023/09/07/sustainability-hub-debuts-amid-green-week-celebration/
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Extreme heat from climate change is a growing concern in Los Angeles. Current predictions suggest that by 2060 the city will see temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher 40 days per year. With higher temperatures come greater risks to human health.
Urban trees, and the shade that they offer, can improve people’s health and well-being. Trees help to reduce risks such as heat stroke, heart attacks, and breathing problems caused by air pollution and excessive heat.
The USC Urban Trees Initiative partners USC experts and students with the City of Los Angeles to guide the growth of an urban forest of shade trees that benefit the health and quality of life for local communities. Using advanced mapping technology, air quality measurements and landscape architecture expertise, the project explores where, how many, and what type of new trees could be added to these neighborhoods to optimize the benefits of urban trees. Working with local community organizations and leaders, the USC Urban Trees Initiative combines scientific analysis with social priorities defined by the needs and preferences of L.A. residents.
In April 2021, the USC Urban Trees Initiative published its first strategic vision for tree planting opportunities in the eastside communities of Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, and Ramona Gardens (Phase 1). From August 2021 to December 2022, USC Trees took a deep dive into the areas of Boyle Heights, University Park, and City Terrace/East L.A. to identify priority planting locations based on the greatest need (Phase 2). Three StoryMaps were produced for each area (see: https://publicexchange.usc.edu/urban-trees-initiative/)
In July, 2023, Dr. John Wilson (Director of the Spatial Science Institute) and Dr. Manuel Pastor (Director of the Equity Research Institute) were awarded a grant for 2.9 million dollars from the Bezos Earth fund. These funds will expand the efforts of the USC Urban Trees Initiative as well as the work by USC Equity Research Institute scholars in producing the National Equity Atlas in collaboration with PolicyLink. The National Equity Atlas provides community leaders and policymakers with national and regional data on demographic change, racial and economic inclusion, and the potential economic gains from racial equity. The grant funds will also aid in cultivating deeper connections among USC and community-based partners like TreePeople and the Atlanta-based Partnership for Southern Equity to accelerate urban greening initiatives. This joint effort by these research teams aims to uplift lives and strengthen communities based on increasing evidence that greening U.S. cities can increase local resilience to extreme weather events, trim energy consumption and improve physical and mental health of individuals in the community.
Trees will be planted in Fall 2024.
Media and Reports:
Executive Summary: https://publicexchange.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Urban-Trees-Initiative-Executive-Summary.pdf
Full Report (2021): https://publicexchange.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Urban-Trees-Initiative-Report-.pdf
https://news.usc.edu/usc-awarded-8-8-million-for-sustainability-research-initiatives/
https://www.miragenews.com/bezos-earth-fund-grants-2-9m-for-usc-urban-1051803/
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Public Engagement
Air & Climate
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data current as of 9/26/23.
Data current as of 9/26/23.
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.