Upper Sproul Waste Audit
Key Words: Waste Audit, Upper Sproul Plaza.
Project Contacts
Sruti Bharat, BS@C Lead Coordinator
Theron Klos, Upper Sproul Manager
Katherine Walsh, TGIF Grant Coordinator
Abstract
The purpose of the audit was to collect data on the current waste and recycling streams of
Upper Sproul. The data will then be used to compare the effectiveness of placing newly
designed trash and recycling bins in Upper Sproul to see if there is a difference in diverting trash
into their respective waste streams. Students from GO! Team conducted a waste audit of the
three waste streams present in Upper Sproul: landfill, paper recycling, and bottles and cans
recycling. They collected metrics on the amount of waste for each stream, and whether or not
the waste was disposed of in the proper containers. The results from the waste audit suggest
that sixty percent of waste collected on Upper Sproul is compostable, which strongly indicates
that a composting program would be beneficial for the area. Also, the audit shows that most of
the waste is not disposed of into the correct trash or recycle bin.
Introduction
Starting with the Spring 2012 semester, Upper Sproul will be outfitted with new trash and
recycle bins, designed by students funded by the TGIF grant. This particular waste audit was
conducted in order to provide a baseline to compare the results of implementing new bins in
Upper Sproul. Additionally, the findings from this audit will show the current effectiveness of
waste diversion on Upper Sproul into the proper waste streams, as well as determine how
much of the generated waste is compostable.
Methodology
After initial contact between the Upper Sproul manager, Theon Klos, and the Building
Sustainability at Cal Lead Coordinator, Sruti Bharat, GO! Team was designated to perform the
four hour waste audit. This audit was deemed necessary by Theon Klos so that current data
would be available to compare the effectiveness of new bins in the upcoming semester. The
audit consisted of twelve garbage bags, four bags from each waste stream which included
landfill, paper recycling, and bottles and cans recycling. The day before the audit, BS@C
coordinators prepared the materials needed for the audit and brought all necessary materials
to the audit area the day of the event. Materials included a tarp, empty garbage bins for sorting,
a scale for data collection, and gloves. The audit was divided into three steps: setup, data
collection, and cleanup.
Each waste stream was tackled separately. First, all of the bags from the landfill bin were
opened, and the waste inside was separated into different categories. For this audit, students
separated waste into four classifications: compost, paper, bottles and cans, or landfill. Each bin
was then measured on the scale, and the data was recorded, making sure to subtract the
weight of the empty bin. This process was carried out for the other two streams. From this we
were able to extract the amount of contamination present in each stream, and how much
diversion potential there was for each category. The data showed the amount of waste that
was properly being disposed of, as well as the amount of waste that was being improperly
recycled or thrown away.
Results and Recommendations
Figure 1: Table showing the waste profile of
the twelve bins collected from Upper Sproul.
Data is presented in pounds of waste.
The waste audit data shows that the majority of waste generated in Upper Sproul, about sixty
percent, is compostable. However, Upper Sproul does not have a compost program in place.
We recommend that one be implemented due to the high waste diversion potential from the
landfill stream. From the data we also observed that most of the waste streams are
contaminated. The bottles and cans recycling is ninety-four percent contaminated by waste
that should be in other bins, and the paper recycling is contaminated by forty-eight percent.
The overall waste profile of Upper Sproul breaks down thus: 61.3% Compost, 22.2% paper, 10.5%
landfill, and 6% bottles and cans. In addition to our recommendation for a composting program,
a possible solution for addressing contamination would be to introduce new bins with better
labeling. The current bins have labels that are difficult to read from far away and are not
distinguishable aside from their labels. Introducing new bins that are visibly different and have
clearer labels on them may help reduce contamination. A recycling awareness program for
students may also be helpful in refreshing students’ knowledge on the proper disposal of
recyclables and may help facilitate better disposal.
Suitability Plan of Action

Conduct a second waste audit to compare effectiveness of new bins in diverting waste

Introduce the new waste bins with a recycling outreach program that will call attention
to the new bins and make students aware of their presence

Implement a composting program

The end goal is to implement a system that diverts the waste as efficiently as possible
into the proper waste streams