Waste Reduction for Colleges & Universities: Waste Reduction for Colleges & Universities


Waste Types: Waste Types Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Non-traditional Waste


HAZARDOUS WASTE: HAZARDOUS WASTE Why Reduce? Reduce financial, liability and regulatory burdens associated with pollution management & waste volumes Save money Reduce potential for spills Improve image in community Receive recognition


Reduction Methods: Reduction Methods Micro and small scale chemistry Chemical substitution Mercury reduction Procurement changes Chemical inventory and tracking systems


Micro & Small Scale Chemistry: Micro & Small Scale Chemistry Reduces amount of chemicals needed in teaching and research, by as much as 100 times Reduces risk of fire and explosions and exposure to vapors www.microscale.org


Chemical Substitution: Chemical Substitution When planning lab experiments, reduce or eliminate: Oxidizers Reactive chemicals Halogenated chemicals Highly toxic chemicals Flammable solvents Metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Se, Ag)


Mercury Reduction: Mercury Reduction Labs Plant operations Health center Student housing Housekeeping


Mercury in Labs: Mercury in Labs Thermometers Preservatives Drain traps/pipes Lamps Sphygmomanometers Cleaning supplies Hold a mercury thermometer exchange.


Other Mercury Sources on Campus: Other Mercury Sources on Campus Plant Operations Boilers Health Center Thermometers Sphygmomanometers Student Housing Thermometers Thermostats Fluorescent bulbs Housekeeping Cleaning supplies Campus-wide Fluorescent bulbs Thermostats


Procurement Changes: Procurement Changes Negotiating with your vendors is the key to success Incorporate language into your purchasing specs Non-toxic Micro-quantity chemicals Just-in-time delivery Be provided with less packaging material or in bulk Contain post-consumer recycled content Meet a certification standard, such as Green Seal


EPP Resources: EPP Resources Environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp Mercury www.masco.org/mercury Hospitals for a Healthy Environment www.h2e-online.org Cleaning products www.westp2net.org/ janitorial/jp4.htm Purchasing for waste reduction http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ EPP/ Certified products http://www.greenseal.org/ recommendations.htm Writing EPP specifications http://www.swmcb.org/ EPPG/ 2_3.asp


Chemical Inventory & Tracking: Chemical Inventory & Tracking Benefits Encourages optimal chemical purchase/use Reduces amount of waste disposed Minimizes stockpiling of outdated chemicals Enhances lab safety Helps ensure compliance


Sample Guidelines: Sample Guidelines Campus-wide chemical inventory audit Use inventory management software Set up procedure to track newly purchased chemicals Campus-wide education and outreach Develop follow-up audit schedule/procedures


Key Elements to Success: Key Elements to Success Upper management support Minimal burden on individual chemical users User-friendly Cooperation from departments Ongoing training


SOLID WASTE: SOLID WASTE Why Reduce? Save money Prolong life of landfills Promote environmental stewardship


Solid Waste: Solid Waste Why Reduce? Conserve natural resources Enhance image in community Receive recognition


Management Options: Management Options Reduce Reuse Recycle Compost Dispose


Reduce: Reduce Products supplied with less packaging material Leasing programs for carpet, copiers, etc. Supplier take-back programs Double-sided copies Education Electronic vs. paper


Reuse: Reuse Dump & Run www.dumpandrun.org Local salvage stores Local charitable organizations/nonprofits Reusable office supply exchange (ROSE)


Recycle: Recycle Paper is the largest single waste stream on campus The average college student produces 640 lbs of solid waste each year, including 320 lbs of paper Other large generators: administration, purchasing, student records…


Recycle: Special Events: Recycle: Special Events Athletics/Homecoming Meetings/Workshops Graduation Conferences Festivals Orientation


Recycle: Special Events: Recycle: Special Events


Compost: Compost Food waste and other organics accounts for more than 50% of the waste stream on campus


Compost: Compost Ithaca College waste stream composition (average daily basis) Before compost facility After compost facility


NON-TRADITIONAL WASTES: NON-TRADITIONAL WASTES Construction & Demolition Wood Ceiling tiles PVC Metals Asbestos Drywall Carpet Brick & concrete Lead-based paint Land-clearing debris Asphalt pavement & shingles


Disaster Debris Planning: Disaster Debris Planning Items to include in plan Types of disasters likely to occur Types/amounts of debris likely generated by each disaster type Local resources to manage debris http://people.cecs.ucf.edu/reinhart/DDfinalreport.pdf http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp Preferred debris management strategy Contingency strategies Communication strategy Funding issues Sources:


Electronics: Electronics Computers PBTs: mercury, lead Hexavalent chromium Brominated flame retardants Assorted plastic types TVs, VCRs, cell phones, PDAs, DVD players, computer peripherals, FAX, assorted wireless devices


How to Get It Done: How to Get It Done


Steps to Success: Steps to Success Get campus-wide commitment and support Form cross-campus “green” team Establish environmental policy Plan waste reduction program and set goals Educate campus community about program Monitor & evaluate progress toward meeting goals Adjust & expand program as needed


Commitment & Support: Commitment & Support Administration VP level Faculty and staff Student leaders and organizations Student government Fraternities & Sororities Service organizations


Green Team: Green Team Students Environmental and service clubs Student workers Fraternities/Sororities Staff EHS Facilities Housing Purchasing Administration VP level Faculty Sciences Engineering Environmental club sponsor


Sample Environmental Policy: Sample Environmental Policy “The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia is strongly committed to protecting the environment and human health in all of its operations… pro-active efforts must be taken to ensure that sound environmental, health and safety planning is integrated into every level of University System decision making.”


Sample Environmental Policy: Sample Environmental Policy “We, the Emory University community, affirm our commitment to protect and enhance the environment through our teaching, research, service, and administrative operations. We seek to foster a community that sustains ecological systems and educates for environmental awareness, local action, and global thinking. We seek to make environmentally sound practices a core value of the University.”


Plan Program & Set Goals: Plan Program & Set Goals Define parameters of program Set measurable goals Develop monitoring and tracking system Select a reliable service provider Establish a collection infrastructure Placement of recycling containers Collection methods and routes Plan for expanding program


Communicate & Educate: Communicate & Educate Include info in new employee and student orientation Feature articles in campus newsletters & other publications Advertise via posters, table tents, flyers Provide progress updates during other meetings Apply for awards and publicize them when you win Host an environmental fair in conjunction with a national event Tailor materials for specific audiences


Evaluate & Adjust: Evaluate & Adjust Stick to the schedule for monitoring progress Enlist student workers to help Make changes if goals remain unmet When goals are met, set new ones Aim for continual improvement


How P2AD Can Help: How P2AD Can Help Technical assistance via phone, email, onsite Identify reuse, recycling options and markets Identify and develop best practices Host workshops or trainings How to set up a recycling program EMS Facilitate networking and community partnerships Conduct waste audits


Recognition Programs: Recognition Programs P2AD Partnership Program EPA Waste Wise EPA Performance Track Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge National Recycling Coalition National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program


Waste Reduction & Recycling Organizations: Waste Reduction & Recycling Organizations Georgia Recycling Coalition National Recycling Coalition College and University Recycling Council Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence University Leaders for a Sustainable Future Sustainable Universities Initiative Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association


National & International Events: National & International Events Arbor Day, Date varies by state/location Earth Day, April World Environment Day, June Pollution Prevention Week, September Clean Up the World, September America Recycles Day, November