| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Alan Burr |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
OP-22: Waste Minimization
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Amy
Seeboth-Wilson Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
Waste generated::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 414.13 Tons | 392.68 Tons |
| Materials composted | 15.83 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials reused, donated or re-sold | 20.50 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 571.89 Tons | 604.99 Tons |
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 3,250 | 2,810 |
| Number of residential employees | 0 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 7,878 | 7,093 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,266 | 1,077 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 115.90 | 115.90 |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | July 1, 2014 | June 30, 2015 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2010 | June 30, 2011 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
FY 2011 is the first year that we have our recycling weight available for campus. Typically our waste hauler hasn't recorded recycling weights so we use sampling during recyclemania to develop our recycling weights.
A brief description of any (non-food) waste audits employed by the institution:
We have occasionally done waste audits on campus during special programs. Two students audited several buildings in Spring of 2015, and we audited waste in Otts and Doudna in fall of 2015.
A brief description of any institutional procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
We have focused on waste diversion in recent years; amping up recycling, compost, and surplus programs on campus.
A brief description of any surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
We started an official campus surplus program (Pioneer Restore) in 2014. Staff may now shop for affordable office supplies and materials that other departments no longer needed, at our storefront, open weekly. www.uwplatt.edu/go/restore
A brief description of the institution's efforts to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
In the past three years, campus has transitioned to using the following web-based programs rather than print resources:
- The Pioneer Administrative Software System (PASS) is used for course registration, payment, financial aid, administrative functions, and more.
- The Desire2Learn course management system, often known as D2L, is used to deliver learning resources to students, including syllabi, course content and other documents, and multimedia content. Students also use Desire2Learn to submit assignments, take tests and quizzes, and collaborate with instructors and classmates.
A brief description of any limits on paper and ink consumption employed by the institution:
-Information Technology Services began transitioning to print stations in major computer labs in 2015. This pilot has gone well and ITS has plans to implement more stations across campus.
-We also use a software program called Papercut which tracks printing for each user.
-In 2015, prices per print job were raised to further disincentive printing.
A brief description of any programs employed by the institution to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
In spring of 2014 and 2015, we instituted a "ditch the dumpster" program on campus where we collected 1) small household items and diverted them to Goodwill, 2) large furniture and electronics and diverted them to our campus surplus program, and 3) unwanted food and diverted it to a local food pantry.
We have done little for move-in days but this is an area we would like to improve upon in the future.
A brief description of any other (non-food) waste minimization strategies employed by the institution:
A brief description of any food waste audits employed by the institution:
A brief description of any programs and/or practices to track and reduce pre-consumer food waste in the form of kitchen food waste, prep waste and spoilage:
A brief description of programs and/or practices to track and reduce post-consumer food waste:
Our main dining hall, Bridgeway Commons, is trayless, which has been proven to minimize post-consumer food waste.
A brief description of the institution's provision of reusable and/or third party certified compostable to-go containers for to-go food and beverage items (in conjunction with a composting program):
Dining Services uses several compostable Earthchoice items- hinged to-go containers, "plastic" utensils, and soup containers.
A brief description of the institution's provision of reusable service ware for “dine in” meals and reusable and/or third party certified compostable service ware for to-go meals (in conjunction with a composting program):
Both Bridgeway Commons and Platters in the Markee Pioneer Student Center use reusable plates and silverware. Bridgeway Commons also uses reusable bowls and cups.
A brief description of any discounts offered to customers who use reusable containers (e.g. mugs) instead of disposable or compostable containers in to-go food service operations:
Both campus coffee shops offer a 25 cent discount to those who bring their own mugs.
A brief description of other dining services waste minimization programs and initiatives:
We began a compost program in Oct. 2013 and have been slowly working on expanding this program across campus. Today, four residence halls, eight academic buildings, and two dining service locations have compost programs in place.
The website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization initiatives is available:
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.