| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.05 |
| Liaison | Ellie Perry |
| Submission Date | Feb. 15, 2023 |
California State University, Dominguez Hills
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.07 / 8.00 |
Ellie
Perry Sustainability Manager Facilities Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Parts 1 and 2. Waste per person
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 438 Tons | 85.70 Tons |
| Materials composted | 41.06 Tons | 15 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 307.48 Tons | 637.10 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 786.54 Tons | 737.80 Tons |
If reporting post-recycling residual conversion, provide:
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Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | Jan. 1, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2014 | June 30, 2015 |
If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:
Chancellor's office baseline is based on 2014-15 fiscal year waste generation levels per capita.
Performance periods are based on the annual calendar year reporting to CalRecycle.
Performance periods are based on the annual calendar year reporting to CalRecycle.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 658 | 687 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 13,948 | 10,472.40 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,449.57 | 996.33 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,754 | 1,000 |
| Weighted campus users | 10,397.18 | 8,023.30 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.08 Tons | 0.09 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
17.73
Part 3. Waste diverted from the landfill or incinerator
60.91
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
60.91
In the waste figures reported above, has the institution recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold the following materials?:
| Yes or No | |
| Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers | Yes |
| Food | Yes |
| Cooking oil | No |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | Yes |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | No |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | Yes |
| Tires | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
There is a hazardous waste program to recycle batteries, printer cartridges, and chemicals from the campus.
Optional Fields
Active Recovery and Reuse
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Recycling Management
Yes
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
Yes
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
No
Contamination and Discard Rates
4
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
The Office of Sustainability periodically conducts waste audits to evaluate diversion rates and contamination rates for recycling. As recycling stations are less prevalent than trash stations, contamination in mixed recycling tends to be low as it takes greater effort by conscientious users to place waste in a recycling bin vs. a trash bin. Previous studies of recycling streams show weights and volume being dominated by cardboard with >4% contamination of non-recyclable materials otherwise.
Programs and Initiatives
The Office of Sustainability regularly sends out campus-wide e-mails with recycling guidance infographics and general information which is also listed on its website for permanent reference including an online waste sorting game and recycling information. It also hosts a regular Trash Talks sorting game at the weekly Farmers Market as well as specialty topics on how to properly use the campus commercial compost system and bin locations. Learning to sort correctly and practicing zero waste habits (reduce/reuse) is a key component of the Office of Sustainability's general sustainability campaigns.
There is also a campus standard for signage and bins which is being phased in whenever new recycling bins are purchased. Retroactive signage and stickers that are photo-based to show acceptable materials have been placed on central dumpsters as well as older recycling receptacles at centralized stations which are serviced regularly.
There is also a campus standard for signage and bins which is being phased in whenever new recycling bins are purchased. Retroactive signage and stickers that are photo-based to show acceptable materials have been placed on central dumpsters as well as older recycling receptacles at centralized stations which are serviced regularly.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
In 2019, the Office of Sustainability supported a student research project which conducted regular waste audits of campus waste to analyze diversion rates. The interns working on the research project also engaged volunteers from two classes to help with the waste audits and identify trends to enable improvements.
In February 2020, campus recycling officially transferred to the Office of Sustainability from Facilities Services at large which will enable greater ability to influence campus recycling performance and trends.
In February 2020, campus recycling officially transferred to the Office of Sustainability from Facilities Services at large which will enable greater ability to influence campus recycling performance and trends.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
CSUDH supports the systemwide CSU Single Use Plastics Policy, and eliminated plastic bags and straws at the Bookstore and Campus Dining in 2019. The campus also committed to a 100% retrofit of all campus water fountains to include bottle fillers (hydration stations) and is slated to complete conversion in July 2020.
It has also signed a contract with Pathwater, a company that sells pre-filled reusable aluminum water bottles, to order 10,000 CSUDH co-branded bottles to replace its entire single use plastic water bottle stock for use at campus events and for employees/departments ensuring the campus will be plastic water bottle free before 2023.
It has also signed a contract with Pathwater, a company that sells pre-filled reusable aluminum water bottles, to order 10,000 CSUDH co-branded bottles to replace its entire single use plastic water bottle stock for use at campus events and for employees/departments ensuring the campus will be plastic water bottle free before 2023.
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Staff are encouraged to use the all-staff e-mail to let others know when their items are available for pick-up or exchange (e.g .furniture, filing cabinets, printer ink, etc.).
Additionally Facilities operates a small storage basement where staff collect unwanted furniture in good condition from construction projects and move-outs. All staff can peruse options and have furniture delivered for only the cost of moving labor.
The University is also expected to dispose of usable equipment in a responsible manner under the guidance of Property Surplus. This is done via transfers on campus, to other universities, public sales, donations, recycling and salvage of parts.
https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/internal/procurement-contracts/_internal/_documents/3150-01-university-property-equipment-procedures.pdf
The Campus also promotes the use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, repurpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services under contract.
The University steps for moving to zero waste are: 1)the use of products that minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; 2) participation in the CalRecycle Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increasing recycled content purchases in all BuyRecycled program product categories.
For the CSU Sustainability Policy, please visit: https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6987526/latest/
For the CSU Buy Recycled Program, please visit: http://www.calstate.edu/csp/special-programs/
Additionally Facilities operates a small storage basement where staff collect unwanted furniture in good condition from construction projects and move-outs. All staff can peruse options and have furniture delivered for only the cost of moving labor.
The University is also expected to dispose of usable equipment in a responsible manner under the guidance of Property Surplus. This is done via transfers on campus, to other universities, public sales, donations, recycling and salvage of parts.
https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/internal/procurement-contracts/_internal/_documents/3150-01-university-property-equipment-procedures.pdf
The Campus also promotes the use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, repurpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services under contract.
The University steps for moving to zero waste are: 1)the use of products that minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; 2) participation in the CalRecycle Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increasing recycled content purchases in all BuyRecycled program product categories.
For the CSU Sustainability Policy, please visit: https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6987526/latest/
For the CSU Buy Recycled Program, please visit: http://www.calstate.edu/csp/special-programs/
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
ASI launched a Clothes Closet in 2019 which collects clothing in good condition from fellow students as well as staff/faculty and re-distributes these items for free for students in need.
Staff are encouraged to use the all-staff e-mail to let others know when their items are available for pick-up or exchange (e.g .furniture, filing cabinets, printer ink, etc.).
The University is also expected to dispose of usable equipment in a responsible manner under the guidance of Property Surplus. This is done via transfers on campus, to other universities, public sales, donations, recycling and salvage of parts.
https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/internal/procurement-contracts/_internal/_documents/3150-01-university-property-equipment-procedures.pdf
Staff are encouraged to use the all-staff e-mail to let others know when their items are available for pick-up or exchange (e.g .furniture, filing cabinets, printer ink, etc.).
The University is also expected to dispose of usable equipment in a responsible manner under the guidance of Property Surplus. This is done via transfers on campus, to other universities, public sales, donations, recycling and salvage of parts.
https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/internal/procurement-contracts/_internal/_documents/3150-01-university-property-equipment-procedures.pdf
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
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A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
All course catalogs and course schedules are available online. There are no hard copies distributed unless requested from the Office of Academic Records.
E-signatures were formally approved in March 2020 in response to the campus moving to a virtual environment and paperless/online is now the default.
E-signatures were formally approved in March 2020 in response to the campus moving to a virtual environment and paperless/online is now the default.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Housing provides a move-out recycling services program where residents are encouraged to think about donating or recycling their unwanted items prior to move out. This includes arranging for receptacles and vendor pick-ups of donation items before move-out.
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
The campus Bookstore partners with the Office of Sustainability to upcycle potential waste items coming out of their operations. This has included creative re-use such as:
-Turning dated/unsold t-shirts into no sew reusable t-shirt bags
-Hydroflask cloth packaging being used as reusable produce bags at the campus Farmers Market
-Cardboard carton packaging being used for seed planters at the Campus Urban Farm
-Insulated wrappers being turned into outdoor picnic blankets and koozies
-Surplus hangers from clothing products being arranged for donation to new residents in campus Housing as well as the ASI Clothes Closet.
-Turning dated/unsold t-shirts into no sew reusable t-shirt bags
-Hydroflask cloth packaging being used as reusable produce bags at the campus Farmers Market
-Cardboard carton packaging being used for seed planters at the Campus Urban Farm
-Insulated wrappers being turned into outdoor picnic blankets and koozies
-Surplus hangers from clothing products being arranged for donation to new residents in campus Housing as well as the ASI Clothes Closet.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Population and waste data is from 2019 CY (pre-pandemic). Extreme fluctuations due to a campus-wide zero waste program roll out (i.e. massive adjustments and readjustments in service levels and type) occurring at the same time as multiple waves of return to virtual instruction throughout the 2020-2022 CY due to spike in COVID-19 cases (i.e. massive on-campus population swings) made a more accurate/current data reporting impossible.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.