HOW WILL WESTERN ACHIEVE ZERO WASTE?
waste_management_at_western_toolkit_2015.pdf |
In December 2015, a group of Western MEM students researched and developed what it would take for Western to become zero waste for Dr. Brooke Moran's Envs 620 course. They spoke to many stakeholders, conducted two partial waste audits, and did a media campaign. From this they created a "Roadmap to Zero Waste: A comprehensive Toolkit for Waste Management at Western", outlining 21 key recommendations that would allow us to reach a 71.18% waste diversion rate. This toolkit provides the baseline data and planning Western needs to achieve zero waste.
This toolkit considers the following sub-components as the total makeup of the Western waste stream: solid waste collection; recycling; food waste and food scrap compost; custodial and office purchasing; as well as waste generated by Facilities services. The first step of this effort required establishing baselines of Western’s waste stream via various auditing procedures described in detail further in the report. In one academic calendar year (32 weeks) Western generates 633,645 pounds of waste; 480,577 pounds of this are sent to landfill, for a waste diversion rate of 24.16%.
If Western were maximizing its current waste infrastructure (meaning all waste was properly sorted to existing recycling, compost, e-waste, TerraCycle and FreeCylce infrastructure on campus. Western would achieve a 71.18% waste diversion rate. This would keep 298,000 pounds of waste out of the landfill each year. The amount of waste Western sends to landfill in one academic year is enough to cover the ‘W’ on Tenderfoot Mountain 4.2 times, or the equivalent of 2 football fields, one-foot deep in trash.The path for Western to reach it’s current potential diversion rate (71.18%) is through removing recyclable items from landfill.
In addition to the environmental benefits of pursuing zero waste, there are potential financial savings. Contributions to this saving include reduced purchasing of office, food & beverage, and custodial supplies, reduced costs in waste management contracts, and opportunities for new revenue streams from selling various waste outputs. For example, if Toolkit recommendations were implemented, (approximately) $14,000 in savings per school year, would become available to further sustainability on campus.
This Zero-Waste Toolkit provides a road map for Western becoming a sustainability-leader among academic institutions, particularly in Colorado, through tangible recommendations to (1) reduce waste, (2) increase engagement, and (3) demonstrate environmental best practices. The Toolkit boldly integrates and maximizes existing Western sustainability practices, while exploring innovative ways to engage all employees and students in the zero waste journey.
7.0 Tool Kit Recommendations to Reach Zero Waste (71.18% WDR) at Western (pg 53):
7.1 Behavior Assessment and Waste Assessment Survey
7.2 Campus Engagement within First Month of School
7.3 Remover Paper Towels, Add Hand Dryers
7.6 Mad Jacks Engagement
7.8 Remove Landfill Bins from Classrooms and Offices
7.9 Color Coding Trash Bags
7.10 Streamlined Purchasing System
7.11 Hold and Sell Aluminum at Market Price
7.12 Waste Management Contract Options
7.13 Address City Recycling Infrastructure
7.15 Increase Compost Education at Rare Air Café
7.17 Reinvest savings from Zero Waste into Revolving Green Fund
7.18 Audience-Specific Engagement
7.19 Identify Department Ambassadors
7.20 Identify Student Ambassadors
This toolkit considers the following sub-components as the total makeup of the Western waste stream: solid waste collection; recycling; food waste and food scrap compost; custodial and office purchasing; as well as waste generated by Facilities services. The first step of this effort required establishing baselines of Western’s waste stream via various auditing procedures described in detail further in the report. In one academic calendar year (32 weeks) Western generates 633,645 pounds of waste; 480,577 pounds of this are sent to landfill, for a waste diversion rate of 24.16%.
If Western were maximizing its current waste infrastructure (meaning all waste was properly sorted to existing recycling, compost, e-waste, TerraCycle and FreeCylce infrastructure on campus. Western would achieve a 71.18% waste diversion rate. This would keep 298,000 pounds of waste out of the landfill each year. The amount of waste Western sends to landfill in one academic year is enough to cover the ‘W’ on Tenderfoot Mountain 4.2 times, or the equivalent of 2 football fields, one-foot deep in trash.The path for Western to reach it’s current potential diversion rate (71.18%) is through removing recyclable items from landfill.
In addition to the environmental benefits of pursuing zero waste, there are potential financial savings. Contributions to this saving include reduced purchasing of office, food & beverage, and custodial supplies, reduced costs in waste management contracts, and opportunities for new revenue streams from selling various waste outputs. For example, if Toolkit recommendations were implemented, (approximately) $14,000 in savings per school year, would become available to further sustainability on campus.
This Zero-Waste Toolkit provides a road map for Western becoming a sustainability-leader among academic institutions, particularly in Colorado, through tangible recommendations to (1) reduce waste, (2) increase engagement, and (3) demonstrate environmental best practices. The Toolkit boldly integrates and maximizes existing Western sustainability practices, while exploring innovative ways to engage all employees and students in the zero waste journey.
7.0 Tool Kit Recommendations to Reach Zero Waste (71.18% WDR) at Western (pg 53):
7.1 Behavior Assessment and Waste Assessment Survey
7.2 Campus Engagement within First Month of School
7.3 Remover Paper Towels, Add Hand Dryers
- The money was taken from the Sustainability Fund but this project was not completed because of facilities staff limitations.
- Our PLAN membership has some options and a discount
7.6 Mad Jacks Engagement
- Request a plate & bring a reusable beverage container versus use of paper boats and cups
7.8 Remove Landfill Bins from Classrooms and Offices
7.9 Color Coding Trash Bags
7.10 Streamlined Purchasing System
7.11 Hold and Sell Aluminum at Market Price
7.12 Waste Management Contract Options
7.13 Address City Recycling Infrastructure
- Currently plastic recycling in Gunnison is limited to #1 & #2.
7.15 Increase Compost Education at Rare Air Café
- Join the LEAD Sustainability Coordinators & volunteer to compost for 1 hour in exchange for a FREE meal at Rare Air Cafe!
7.17 Reinvest savings from Zero Waste into Revolving Green Fund
7.18 Audience-Specific Engagement
7.19 Identify Department Ambassadors
7.20 Identify Student Ambassadors
- Zero waste events & projects will be part of the LEAD Department objectives
- the LEAD office will be assisting with move out efforts to minimize waste. Please utilize FREECYCLE if you have unwanted items. Please be sure to sort waste properly.
Campus Wide Collaboration.
The path to zero waste is heavily reliant on a cohesive collaborative effort of many stakeholder on campus as the systems diagram show. Success in this project will require full campus support and allow us to utilize sustainability initiatives already in place on campus.
The path to zero waste is heavily reliant on a cohesive collaborative effort of many stakeholder on campus as the systems diagram show. Success in this project will require full campus support and allow us to utilize sustainability initiatives already in place on campus.