Waste Reduction & Recycling
HBS Student Sustainability Associate Program
Waste Reduction & Recycling Campaign
Campaign Kick-off & Waste Awareness Presentation – today!
• Introduce HBS’ sustainability program and your section’s Student
Sustainability Associate (SSA)
• Kick off the Green Cup challenge and the Waste Reduction & Recycling
Campaign
• Review what goes in the trash, recycling, and compost bins
Garbage Games (Green Cup Challenge) – November 3 @ 3PM
• Seeking 6 tributes from each section to compete
• Teams will enjoy an adventure-packed competition,
snacks, and a shot at winning Green Cup points
• Sponsor tip: pay attention to the content in this
presentation!
Sustainability at HBS
Results (2014)
•
45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
•
21% reduction in energy consumption
•
67% campus-wide recycling rate
Initiatives
•
100+ energy conservation measures
•
11 LEED Certified Buildings
•
277.5 kilowatts of on-campus installed solar (Tata, Shad, Batten, Morgan buildings)
Annual Green Cup Challenge
•
Competition among the sections through a series of sustainability-themed events
•
Sections compete for points that go towards the Green Cup grand prize ($1000) and
contribute to SA Cup totals
•
Sections that attend today’s session will receive their first Green Cup point!
Student Sustainability Associates (SSAs)
• The SSAs are HBS students that have a
personal and/or professional interest
in environmental sustainability
• There are 10 SSAs, one per section
• SSA initiatives:
– Promote sustainable living and working on
campus through a variety of educational
events and communications (see 20142015 campaigns)
– Suggest and pursue infrastructure and
policy modifications to improve resource
conservation on campus
– Serve as a resource for each section to
address questions and provide information
on sustainable living
Class of 2016 SSAs
A Aparna Singh
F Jim Ross
B Sameer Manek
G Bhargavi Chevva
C Colin Fraser
H Ritika Tawani
D Polina Dekhtyar
I
E Nib Paratheeptham
J Wendy Lin
Lauren Rodriguez
2014-2015 Campaigns
Oct-Nov
Waste Reduction & Recycling
Nov-Dec
Energy Conservation
Feb-Mar
Water Awareness
April
Earth Month
May
Move-Out
The Facts
•
We produce a lot of waste
– The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash per day (about 1.5 tons per year)
– In 2009, Americans produced enough trash to circle the earth 24 times
– Americans throw away (not recycle) 25 million plastic bottles every hour
•
We’ve gotten better about recycling our waste, but have a long way to go
– Over 75% of waste is recyclable, but only about 35% is recycled (up from 10% in 1990)
•
Recycling waste can generate some serious value
– On average, it costs $30 per ton to recycle trash compared to $50 per ton to send it to
the landfill, and $65-$75 per ton to incinerate it
– The 36 billion aluminum cans in landfills last year had a scrap value of more than $600
million. Over the past twenty years we've thrown away aluminum cans worth over $12
billion on today's market
– Every pound of recycled PET (plastic) used in place of virgin material reduces energy use
in plastic production by 84% and greenhouse gas emissions by 71%
Sources: www.epa.gov, dosomething.org
The Problem
• It is nearly impossible to avoid generating waste and still be a
functional, happy, and healthy person
• The average person is aware of the reduce, reuse, recycle
concept, but this awareness often doesn’t translate to action
• Some common challenges include:
– Convenience – Who has time to do dishes or wash towels when there
are disposable ones? Why would I go searching for a recycling bin
when there’s a trash bin right here?
– Uncertainty about what to throw away vs. recycle vs. compost
– Not a top priority
What has been a challenge for you?
Waste Reduction & Recycling at HBS
HBS is working to make waste reduction & recycling easier for you
• HBS has single stream recycling, which means that everything that can be
recycled goes into one bin
• Waste bins everywhere, including trash and recycling bins inside and
outside of every classroom in Aldrich
• Composting available at Spangler Grill and performed by Spangler dining
staff (waste on conveyor)
• Disposable containers and napkins that are recyclable or compostable
• Other waste reduction & recycling initiatives:
– Used item drives for donation (gently used cosmetics, clothing, office supplies,
housewares)
– Discount on coffee when you bring your own mug
– November 6: Receive $0.67 off food & drink purchases in celebration of HBS’ 67%
recycling rate!
What Goes Where?
Plant-based plastics (labeled
#7) can’t be recycled!
What Goes Where?
Greenware
What Goes Where?
Additional Resources
• Your section’s SSA
• www.green.harvard.edu