View
216
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
1www.american.edu/zerowaste
Helen Lee, LEED GAZero Waste Coordinator
American University
2
What We Will Discuss Today
• What is AU’s zero waste goal?• How do we get to zero? Understand by auditing• Steps AU has taken to get closer to Zero Waste
– Campus-wide organics collection– Review our containers, placement & collection– Improving exterior collection– Housekeeping training– What else can we divert?
• Next steps – “on our way to zero waste”
What is Zero Waste?
“Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.”
Zero Waste Alliance International
4
AU’s Commitment
“The university shall strive to reach zero waste to landfill and incineration by 2020.”
AU’s Zero Waste Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2011196
5
AU’s Sustainability Commitments
SITES2 Star SITES
Pilot Certified
LEEDCertifying 25
buildings
STARSGold rated University
ACUPCCClimate
Neutrality by 2020
6
Background• Located in Northwest Washington D.C.• 86 acre campus• 12,000 students (half undergrad, half grad)• 3700 – on campus students• 2700 staff/faculty• Total Population around 15,000• No football stadium• No medical complex
7
Background
• President Neil Kerwin signed the Zero Waste Policy in January 2010
• Zero Waste Coordinator was hired 2012– July 31, 2013, reuse, recycle compost 50% waste– December 2015, reduce solid waste by 10% and
divert 90% from landfills and incineration– December 2020, reduce additional 10% and send
zero waste to landfill and incineration
8
How do we get to zero?What are we throwing
away?
9
Waste Audits
10
Total Waste Summary for the Library(Recycling Bins + Landfill Bins)
White Paper16.29%
Newspaper0.91%
Tissue Paper0.37%
Other Paper0.53%
Flat Cardboard Packag-ing
15.69%
Glass2.55%
Plastics14.96%Aluminum
0.97%
Food Waste/ Compostable Items
42%
Trash 12.49%
Clothes0.01%
Wood0.02%
www.american.edu/zerowaste
Organics• Chopsticks• Coffee Grounds• Food Waste• Napkins
• Paper Towels• Soiled Cardboard• Tea Bags• Wet paper
• Metals• Plastics• Glass
• Mixed Paper• Dry Cardboard• Paperboard
Recyclables
Trash Chip Bags Candy wrappers
Styrofoam
45% = Compostable
45% Recyclable
10% Landfill
AU Waste Stream
12
Developing a Campus-wide Organic Waste Collection Program
13
45% of our waste
Organic Waste• Carbon Containing• Anything once living!
14
• What is organic waste? – Once living?
Organic!• Organic vs. Compost• Daily Pick-up• Green
Biodegradable Liners
• Lids
15
FAQ & Lessons Learned
• Will the bin smell?• Will there be pest
problems?• Lids on
containers?
16
Internal Review of Infrastructure & Collection Methods
Container DesignContainer Placement
Quantity of Containers
17
Dual Stream Separation• Downcycling of
paper• Lost quality and
value of material• Reduced rebates• Not exact weights
18
Redesigning Waste Bins• Color Coded bins & liners• Bins need to educate and
market the zero waste program• Different Lids to accommodate
materials• Aesthetically Pleasing• Meet AU graphic requirements • Bins made out of recycled
material• Durable and Recyclable
MIXED PAPER
PLASTIC METAL GLASS
ORGANIC
LANDFILL
19
Redesigned Containers
20
• Trash• Metal,
Plastic, Glass• Paper
Cardboard
21
22
Improving Efficiency in
Exterior Collection
23
-$ Savings -Higher Rebates-Reduced Transportation Emissions-Accurate Weights-Inspect sorted materials on a daily basis
24
Training
25
Purchasing Consumer Housekeeping Hauler
How does waste travel? How do we reduce contamination?
Pest Control
27
Waste Diversion
Recycle• Mixed Paper• Plastic – Metals – Glass• Cardboard• Scrap Metal• Construction Waste• Vehicle Waste• Electronics• Batteries
Reuse• Clothes• Electronics• Furniture• Books• Plastic Bags
Compost• Food Waste• Yard Waste• Paper towels
WASTE MATERIALCOMMODITY WITH VALUE
Next Steps
• Reuse & Reduction – improve surplus management• Removal of all classroom containers with signage
inside• Installation of collection system outside classroom
facilities to encourage participation• Removal of all small desk-side bins in offices• Eliminate or replace 10% with alternatives • Work with manufacturers – go upstream • Sustainability language in contracts
29
We are a very wasteful society
• We need to change the culture, we need to educate our future leaders
• Everyone has to play part, from manufacturer down to the consumer, from procurement to waste management.
30
Connect with us!
zerowaste@american.edu
www.american.edu/zerowaste
Twitter.com/ZeroWasteAU
Facebook.com/ZeroWasteAU
Youtube.com/ZeroWasteAU
Pintrest.com/ZeroWasteAU
31
Sorting inside Buildings
32
Paper Towel Composting
33
Food Waste Composting
34
35
Scrap metal, Construction Waste, Yard Waste
36
Clothing Donation
37
Plastic Bag Collection
38
E-Waste Recycling
39
Other Recycling
Recommended