Campus Operations

VIII. MATERIALS MANAGEMENT AND WASTE REDUCTION

A. Increase waste diversion and minimize waste by developing new, innovative programs and expanding access to reducing, recycling, and composting across campus.

  1. Provide opportunities for composting and recycling across all areas of campus with an emphasis on underserved areas
  2. Leverage business intelligence tools and annual waste audits to increase transparency and reporting on the lifecycle of materials management from procurement to waste
  3. Reduce the sale of single use plastic at all campus outlets
  4. Install standardized waste systems with consistent messaging across all areas of campus
  5. Install additional water bottle refill stations both indoors and outdoors with an emphasis in the residence halls to encourage the use of reusables
  6. Assemble a team to develop purchasing and performance standards that encourage waste reduction
  7. Prioritize sourcing products that are made with recycled content and products that are recyclable and/or commercially compostable

B. Expand zero-waste initiatives throughout campus.

  1. Conduct a zero-waste feasibility study and/or audit to gain a better understanding of campus waste streams
  2. Assemble a team to develop university-wide, zero-waste standards
  3. Provide incentives to pursue zero-waste practices

C. Engage the campus community through increased education and targeted outreach to reduce waste.

  1. Organize Registered Student Organizations, classes, and department workshops and tabling events to share tools and strategies for waste reduction and resource sharing
  2. Incorporate waste reduction tips into digital and physical messaging across campus, social media platforms, and alongside waste stations and water refill stations
  3. Integrate sustainability education and waste reduction resources for incoming students
  4. Support and advance the Pass It On* program to further educate residents, increase donations, and decrease items sent to the landfill
  5. Incorporate waste reduction resources into faculty and staff orientation and Green Office* Certification programs