University of the Pacific
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion

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Information reported as baseline was from FY-06, the closest year to that requested by AASHE STARS 1.2 for which data was known.

Packaging items such as bubble wrap, peanuts and inflated plastic bags are collected for reuse by Mail Services.

Custodial and Grounds staff are trained annually on what is and is not acceptable in the various waste streams to assist in keeping the streams free from contamination.

Trained student volunteers, Green Team, assist with waste diversion at large university events. Additionally Resident Advisors are trained and given knowledge on waste separation to pass on to students. Students are also provided with a quick 1 page reference of what goes where in their welcome materials from Housing.

The Tiger To-Go program incentivizes using reusable cups and to-go containers over disposables. Green Move Out and Green Move In programs engage volunteers in learning waste diversion skills. Volunteers also help encourage other students to sort properly.

In 2019 the Library shifted to a centralized, 3-stream collection system for waste. The bins were rolled out with new signage and outreach efforts to get people to use the bins correctly. In addition to signs and emails, outreach included tabling with waste separation quizzes.

The signs used in the Library were also used at campus events. The redesigned signs are more consistent and clear. Staff and faculty were notified of changes and printable signs were made available to everyone online.

Sustaining Pacific has conducted audits of library waste. The first was in 2017 to determine contamination rates before implementing a 3-bin system at the library, and the second in 2020 was to see if the 3-bin system (implemented in 2019) was effective and how we could improve it. Contamination rates of trash was significantly lower with the 3-bin system. Additionally, in 2018 Sustaining Pacific conducted visual audits across campus over the course of 2 months to determine problem areas.

Bon Appettit, our food provider, charges .25 cents each time a student wants their food to-go and does not use a reusable eco-clam.

Waste reduction is mentioned as a consideration in the University's Purchasing Policy.

The Purchasing Department manages surplus items. University property that is no longer of use are placed in storage where they can be claimed by university staff, Habitat for Humanity or other local charitable non-profits.

Surplus inventory is tracked by Purchasing staff via an excel document. Members looking for a specific item contact purchasing to see if one is available.

Sustaining Pacific also operates a Supply Station. This is a large storage cabinet in a common area. People can donate unwanted but usable office supplies such as file folders, paperclips, binders etc. Anyone can take an item from the Supply Station.

An online portal that allows employees to post, browse and claim surplus items is under development.

All centralized printers default to printing double sided and personal printers are discouraged. On centralized printers, prints cost $0.06 for b/w and $0.12 for color.

The general catalog, academic calendars are all available online. Only a limited number of hard copies are printed for internal use. Directories are also available online and are not printed. Many paper heavy processes such as contracts, payroll, applications and benefit enrollment are now digital. e-signatures are now accepted by the majority of departments.

Green Move In Program: 10-15 volunteers led by Sustainability staff help to reduce move in waste during the three main campus move in sessions. The volunteers are stationed at each residence hall educating students and families about separating their trash and recyclable waste. Volunteers help break down cardboard and keep the trash and recycle dumpsters free of contamination. These volunteers also monitor waste stations at large campus events during move in and orientation, teaching guests how to compost and recycle properly. During the 2019 Green Move In, Sustaining Pacific diverted 2.65 tons of recycling and 321 lbs of compost.

Green Move Out Program: Donation stations are placed in all campus residential buildings collecting clothing, bedding, working electronics, e-waste, non-perishable food, school supplies, kitchenware and other miscellaneous items. Some items are sold at a sale the week after graduation, but most are recirculated back into the Stockton community. Avenues to recirculate donations include the on-campus Pacific Food Pantry and Supply Station, and local organizations including St. Mary's Dining Room, Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, Hospice Heart Hope Services and ACE Rail. In 2019, the program collected 1350 lbs of clothes, 750 lbs of food, 320 lbs of bedding, 150 lbs of chemical products, and more. The program was led by the Sustaining Pacific staff and supported by 21 volunteers who worked a total of 166 volunteer hours.

Data compiled by Sustainability Staff. Raw data is from: Toby Rose, Sr Manager in Physical Plant and inventory of Surplus items. It covers waste on the Stockton campus.