Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory &
Recommendations for Achieving Carbon
Neutrality
2010
Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Kate Hale Wilson
Faculty Support: Dr. Jim Boulter and Dr. Kim Pierson
Student Researchers: Carbon Neutral Team, 2010
Student Presenters: Jason Hansen, Laura Headrick, Steph Mabrey,& Andi Krunnfusz
ACUPCC
• Presidents Climate
Commitment
– Achieve climate
neutrality (date TBD)
– Initiate tangible
actions to reduce
greenhouse gas
emissions
– Publish the climate
action plan,
emissions inventory,
and periodic
progress reports
What is eCO2?
• Equivalent carbon dioxide emissions
• Standard measurement for global warming
potential
– Carbon Dioxide
– Methane
– Nitrous Oxide
– Halocarbons
– Sulfur Hexafluoride
2010 Total eCO2 Emissions
Heating
11%
35%
21%
Electricity
Transportation
33%
Solid Waste &
Chemicals
Total Emissions: 38,870 metric tons eCO2
o Solid Waste produces 4,139 MT eCO2
eCO2 Production by Sources
2008 & 2010 (MT)
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
-5,000
39,278 38,870
20,002
16,075
13,771
2008
12,707
8,247
5,380
2010
4,142
105
-2,284 0
Solid Waste and Compost
• Solid Waste
– Any solid or semi-solid material that is placed in
landfills, composted, or recycled
– Contributes to the carbon footprint when greenhouse
gases (GHGs) are released during decomposition
• Compost
– Organic materials
– Considered carbon neutral when properly composted
Solid Waste Emissions eCO2
0%
4%
21%
Trash
41%
Paper
Commingled
Cardboard
Compost
34%
Note: If the majority of paper was not properly recycled,
it would contribute more than two times the metric tons of eCO2
Solid Waste Recommendations
•
•
•
•
Reduce Paper Use
Improve our Performance in RecycleMania
Remove Water Bottles from Vending Machines
Expand Composting
Reduce Paper Use
Paper is the second largest contributor to solid waste emissions, at 1,413 MT of eCO2. If paper were
eliminated in classrooms wherever possible and replaced with online and electronic systems, paper
waste and resulting emissions would be drastically reduced. UW-Eau Claire employs the online
class management system Desire2Learn and we recommend that the use of this system be
encouraged in all classes. In addition, syllabi and other course handouts should be circulated
electronically through Desire2Learn, a course web site, or campus email. Academic and
administrative offices should also reduce paper use by printing only what is necessary and by
converting paper forms to electronic versions; examples include job applications, financial aid
forms, transcripts and degree audits, etc. Paper usage currently contributes 3.6% of the university’s
overall GHG emissions.
Improve our Performance in
RecycleMania
RecycleMania, an annual nation-wide university and college campus event, promotes recycling and
environmentally conscious methods of waste management. A competition among schools, it runs
for 10 weeks each academic school year and measures the largest amount of recyclables per capita,
total recyclables, and the least amount of trash or un-recyclable waste from each participating
campus. In the 2010 competition, UW-Eau Claire placed eleventh among thirteen participating
Wisconsin universities. At 1,716 MT of eCO2, trash is the largest contributor of solid waste
emissions. By promoting RecycleMania, the University would not only encourage and sustain more
effective methods of waste management, but also help develop positive attitudes toward proper
recycling habits. We recommend that the University advertise and explain RecycleMania before and
during the competition to increase awareness and participation. The competition could also be
made more locally meaningful by having competitions between residence halls and between
academic departments.
Remove Water Bottles from Vending Machines
During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, UW-Eau Claire’s commingled recyclables emitted 889 MT of eCO2.
Plastic bottles make up a large part of these recyclables, and also contribute to University waste
when members of the campus community do not practice proper recycling. The removal of water
bottles from all University vending machines would not only decrease the amount of waste, but
would also be more cost-efficient for the students, faculty and staff. The University has water
fountains readily available in all University buildings, and reusable water bottles are available for
purchase on campus. To promote sustainable water choices, the University should reduce the price
of reusable water bottles and offer the bottles as prizes and as part of a freshman-welcome kit, as
well as providing them to all new faculty and staff hires. Additionally, promoting campus awareness
of the global issues connected to commercially bottled water affords opportunities for curricular
and co-curricular initiatives.
Expand Composting
A successful compost program, in which all organic waste is removed from the
trash, would result in an up to 4.3% decrease in overall UW-Eau Claire GHG
emissions. Currently, compost is collected only in the W.R. Davies Center—one of
28 University buildings. We recommend that compost bins be placed in each food
service area, including Riverview Café, Hilltop Center, Library Grounds, and the
Simply to Go food stands in Hibbard Humanities Hall and Haas Fine Arts Center.
We further recommend that clear and consistent signage appear in all compost
areas. The University should pilot a compost program in one residence hall to
determine feasibility, working closely with Facilities Management and the Housing
Office.
Additional Information
• For more detailed information, please view
the 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Report & Recommendations for Achieving
Carbon Neutrality in full at:
http://www.uwec.edu/Sustainability/plans/index.htm