WHY PURSUE A ZERO WASTE CAMPUS?
As an institution of higher education & a national leader in environment and sustainability, we feel sustainability initiatives like these serve as a model to our community, other educational institutions and aid in the development of students, faculty & staff toward being responsible consumers.
Additionally, a zero waste campus could result in economic incentives, increase Western's enrollment & retention rate while creating green jobs on campus for students.
Benefits of a zero waste campus:
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Additionally, a zero waste campus could result in economic incentives, increase Western's enrollment & retention rate while creating green jobs on campus for students.
Benefits of a zero waste campus:
- Potential Savings of $18,144 annually associated with waste management & source reduction costs
- Keep 298,000 lbs of waste from entering the landfill
- An average of 45.8% of each buildings waste stream contains recyclable materials!
- If existing recyclables, paper towels, and food compost were removed from Western’s waste stream, 358,000 kg CO₂E would be reduced from the atmosphere, offsetting 4% of campus greenhouse gas emissions or the equivalent of one year’s worth of energy-use (electricity and natural gas) at the Savage Library.
- Fulfill the APUCC (American College & University President's Climate Commitment), which was signed by then President Jay Helmen & commits to reduce Western's carbon emissions 50% by 2035
- Provide project opportunities & foster innovation for Western's students so as to experience real world issues and solutions
- In tandem with Western's Environmental Charter Principles of Environmental education, stewardship & need to increase efficiency
- Join the ranks of some of the most environmentally progressive colleges & universities in the world & serve as an exemplary model of environmental stewardship, especially for our small, close mountain community.
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What is in our waste stream?
- The most frequently encountered items in the waste stream are:
- Plastic bottles
- #5 plastic disposable coffee cup lids
- Industrial Compost ( paper towels)
- Currently Western has a 24% waste diversion rate, this means that 76% of our ENTIRE waste stream goes to the landfill.