| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.20 |
| Liaison | Olivia Shehan |
| Submission Date | Dec. 24, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wellesley College
OP-22: Waste Minimization
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.06 / 5.00 |
Patrick
Willoughby Sustainability Director Facilities |
Waste generated::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 179 Tons | 160 Tons |
| Materials composted | 383 Tons | 357.03 Tons |
| Materials reused, donated or re-sold | 14.43 Tons | 7.28 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 1,100.24 Tons | 1,184.96 Tons |
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 2,069 | 2,179 |
| Number of residential employees | 15 | 13 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 2,177 | 2,222 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,083 | 1,032.62 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 0 | 0 |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Jan. 1, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
A brief description of when and why the waste generation baseline was adopted:
2011 was chosen as the base line year due to the available data.
A brief description of any (non-food) waste audits employed by the institution:
ES 300, a class dedicated to researching environmental issues on campus, regularly conducts projects which include audits of waste and pollutant emission on campus. In 2012 this class audited the College's general waste stream (including primary materials, paper, plastics, organics, and durable goods such as electronics) and in both 2003 and 2008 this class conducted an audit of the College's greenhouse gas emissions.
Estimates of collected trash by tonnage is taken from four compactor locations on campus and while we do not have exact measurements for solid waste production over the past few years, we rebid our waste contract in 2014 and haulers were required to provide actual weights of all waste production for data usage in order to win our bid. Further, dumpsters are continually checked for items that could be recycled and/or reused.
A brief description of any institutional procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
A brief description of any surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Office furnishings, as well laboratory equipment, old residential furniture, and other reusable goods are reused or donated. Our Distribution Center acts as a holding area where college personnel can obtain items. As much as possible all other useable items are donated. Much of what we dispose of is donated to local non-profit organizations. Also, the copy center collects paper that has only been used on one side and creates notepads out of this recycled paper.
A brief description of the institution's efforts to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
Everything is offered online, although some are still printed out if requested.
A brief description of any limits on paper and ink consumption employed by the institution:
Papercut ( a software program which manages common printing) has significantly reduced the consumption of paper and toner for printing. Duplex printing and copying copying is strongly encouraged and all-black printing is the default. All computers which can be printed from in the Student Center and Libraries have standard reminders about responsible paper use and students are given a limited number of printing credits each year, which can be reset upon request, but which forces them to keep their paper usage in mind before they choose to print.
A brief description of any programs employed by the institution to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Every year in May since 2010, the Office of Sustainability has provided large bins and staffs extra custodial staff to each residence hall for students to donate dorm items that they are unable to bring home with them. Instead of being thrown in the trash, these items are donated and/or resold at the Sustainable Move-In Sale to students moving back to campus in the fall at a fraction of their retail cost. Items that are sold include containers, furniture, refrigerators, lamps, hangers, electronics, beauty supplies, books, bags, school supplies, home decor, games, kitchen supplies, and more. All proceeds of this event go towards sustainability projects on campus and items which are not resold are donated to charities in the area: clothing is sent to the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation in Boston, and toiletries are sent to Rosie's Place in Boston, a shelter for female victims of domestic abuse. All items at the end of the sale that are not sold are donated to Safe Haven, a halfway house in Boston. Tons of items are collected to be resold, reused, and/or donated every year.
A brief description of any other (non-food) waste minimization strategies employed by the institution:
Where possible all useable items re reused or donated.
A brief description of any food waste audits employed by the institution:
We track both pre consumer and post consumer food waste daily as part of our composting program.
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:
We track and compost pre consumer food waste daily and log it. We receive deliveries 6 days a week in order to minimize spoilage and waste. Food is prepared in an on demand way as much as possible which provides better meals and limits food waste.
A brief description of programs and/or practices to track and reduce post-consumer food waste:
We are a trayless dining program. We also customize plates in order to minimize waste. We plate everything in smaller portions so students can try a little of everything instead of wasting a larger sized portion. We consistently modify our menus throughout the year to meet student needs. If we see that a menu item isn’t popular, we remove it from the menu.
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):
All disposable containers are compostable and are collected in our compost program.
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):
All dining halls have reusable service ware. At any of our events that are outside of the dining hall and in our retail locations we use compostable paper products which can be composted in conjunction with our food composting program.
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:
Yes we do offer discount for those who use reusable mugs. If you come to one of our 3 retail operations (Emporium, Collins Café, Leaky Beaker) you get an approximately $ .30 cent discount on your coffee. (ex. Large Starbucks Coffee (non refill) = $1.74, Large Starbucks Coffee (Refill-Reusable Cup) = $1.44)
Also all the brands of coffee that we offer (Starbucks, Peet’s Coffee and Tea and Pura Vida) were chosen due to their commitment to developing and maintaining sustainability initiatives. In addition, all of our coffee brands are fair trade and put a heavy emphasis on producing the most high quality product without interfering with their environmental responsibility.
A brief description of other dining services waste minimization programs and initiatives:
We began an awareness campaign called Project Zero Waste. The idea of it is to get students to realize what impact they can have on waste reduction. We measured students waste from week to week. Whatever amount in pounds they were able to save we bought that amount in pounds of food to donate to a local charity.
The college also participates in the EPA's Waste Wise program and has won two honorable mention awards for our practices.
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.