Creating a
Zero Waste Campus
Arizona State University
ASU Sustainability Practices
– Built environment carbon neutral by 2025;
institution completely carbon neutral by 2035
– Zero solid waste by 2015; zero wastewater
discharge by 2020
– Campus engagement: 60% of students, faculty &
staff participate in volunteer sustainability
activities by 2015
– Principled practices (Sustainability Literacy, Green
Design and Construction, Green Purchasing,
Green Events, Green Offices and Green Labs
Programs) required of campus users
Zero Solid Waste
Roadmap to Zero Waste
– assess the university’s complete waste collection
processes, waste generation and material conveyance
– integrate the data with the findings of ASU’s recent waste
composition study, and
– create a Roadmap to Zero Solid Waste
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
policies
planning
education
operations
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
policies (example)
1. ASU employees, as stewards of natural resources in our Sonoran
Desert region, will avoid (avert) the unnecessary use of materials,
will re-use and re-purpose materials that can serve additional
functions, and will recycle materials to the full extent possible as
they carry out their work. Their success in reducing, re-using and
recycling will be noted on performance evaluations.
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
policies (example)
2. Building managers, both those who report directly through ASU
lines of management and contract workers, will assure that recycling
facilities are in place, in good working condition, and are convenient
for campus users. Their success in doing this will be noted on
performance evaluations and in contract re-negotiations.
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
policies (example)
3. Purchasing managers, as stewards of natural resources in the
Sonoran Desert region, will consider the level, type, and quantity of
packaging, the level of recycled content, and the recyclability of
materials as they score proposals.
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
planning
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waste and recycling assessment
logistics of operations
communications strategies
campus recycling master plan
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
education
• labels and signs
• communications from green teams
– newsletters
– listserve notes
– social media
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events
team projects
campus and corporate events, large and small
‘bin user’ training
public events and presentations
classroom education
Roadmap to Zero Waste
Cornerstones
operations
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waste and recycling assessment
strategic approach
logistics
communications strategies
Zero waste begins with aversion
• Since 2007, annual copy paper purchases have decreased
by 40% or 220 tons
• Print Publications Reduction Initiative
• Limited Printing Program for students
• Facilities Management Print Reduction Program
• Purchases and Business Services Print Reduction Program
• Online Academic Catalogue
• Sustainable Digital University with Canon
Zero waste begins with aversion
• University Housing waste reduction programs
• Ditch the Dumpster
• Housing Sustainability Paraprofessionals
• Model residences
• Food waste reduction in res hall dining facilities
Zero waste begins with aversion
• Food waste aversion
• Re-usable container discount
• Green Captains food waste
reduction projects
• WVO recycling
• FOG recycling
• Trayless dining
• Grounds for grounds
• Campus harvest
• ARAMARK Food Donation
Connection
Zero waste begins with aversion
• Other University aversion projects
• Banner Bags
• Mattress de-manufacturing
• Nike Re-use-A-Shoe
• Paint reclamation and re-use
• Asphalt reclamation and re-use
• Bicycle co-op
• Chemical re-distribution through SciQuest
• Carpet tiles
• Ecological Mail, Waste Free Mail programs
• Green waste mulching in place
The Roadmap to Zero Waste
Phase 1: Waste Assessment
(underway in February 2012)
The waste and recycling assessment is underway. We’re
assessing both front and back of house collection efficiency and
waste diversion measures. The assessment consists of a
detailed study of waste-related operations at each campus,
including:
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Generation trends
Collection flow
Container and compactor placement
Front and back of house solutions
Final waste elimination processes
Phase 2: Develop and implement the plan
(March – July 2012)
The Roadmap will include:
– A report detailing the material composition of the current waste stream,
based on ASU’s internal baseline study
– An inventory report that details ASU’s initial disposal volumes and costs
– An assessment of current materials, methods, and management practices
– A list of tactical measures, potential cost savings and estimated expenses the
campuses can employ to minimize waste, increase diversion and achieve our
Zero Waste goal
– A timeline of activities for short-term and long-term implementation of
strategies, which will be defined partly by assessments and audits
– A description of opportunities and programmatic strategies for recycling, reuse and elimination of solid waste, hazardous materials, universal waste, and
e-waste
– Additional diversion programs
Zero Waste Campus
Nick Brown PhD
Director
University Sustainability Practices
Nick.Brown@ASU.edu