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University of Louisville

Materials & Waste Reduction Strategic Plan

Working Toward a Zero Waste University

20132301 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40292

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Materials & Waste Reduction Strategic Plan DRAFT August 26, 2013

Paraphrased from Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll is often quoted as writing “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there”. This materials and waste reduction strategic plan is designed to propel our premier metropolitan research university toward zero waste as a part of the University’s sustainability program. It details where we are, where we want to be and provides a variety of ideas to get there.

The University of Louisville (UofL) is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) The primary tool used by the University of Louisville to measure our progress in sustainability is the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) framework developed by AASHE. As a Charter Participant in STARS, UofL was the first school in the region -- and the 10th in the nation -- to achieve a STARS rating and we continue to have the highest STARS rating in Kentucky. Check out the map of STARS schools.

As part of our university-wide strategic plan, UofL seeks to progressively improve our overall STARS rating and our score across all sections of the framework. We are staying true to that goal.

UofL achieved a new STARS Silver rating (58.29 points) on February 6, 2013. This represented a significant improvement from our first rating in January 2011 of STARS Silver (50.11 points). Our 2013 rating report documents that, on top of what we were already doing well, we’ve seen significant improvement in many areas and some truly innovative things we’re doing to advance sustainability.

http://stars.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-louisville-ky/report/2011-01-21/

http://stars.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-louisville-ky/report/936/

http://stars.aashe.org/institutions/data-displays/dashboard/

http://stars.aashe.org/

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Table of ContentsExecutive Summary..................................................................................................................................................5

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................6

UofL Strategic Plan (2008 – 2020)........................................................................................................................7

Sustainability Vision.............................................................................................................................................8

Where Do We Want To Be?.....................................................................................................................................8

Zero-Waste Goal...................................................................................................................................................8

Where Are We Now?................................................................................................................................................8

Current Waste Diversion Program........................................................................................................................9

Single Stream Recycling........................................................................................................................................9

Batteries.............................................................................................................................................................10

Chemicals...........................................................................................................................................................10

Electronic Scrap/Electronics Waste....................................................................................................................11

Lighting or Spent Lamps (Bulbs).........................................................................................................................11

Cell Phones.........................................................................................................................................................11

Composting........................................................................................................................................................12

Toner Cartridge and Ink Jet Recycling.................................................................................................................12

Surplus Sale/Swap – X-Change...........................................................................................................................12

Green Purchasing...............................................................................................................................................12

Dining/Catering..................................................................................................................................................14

Reduce Disposables............................................................................................................................................14

Reduce Junk Mail................................................................................................................................................15

Paint Reuse.........................................................................................................................................................15

Community Supported Agriculture/Farmer’s Markets.......................................................................................15

Construction & Demolition Diversion.................................................................................................................16

Metals Recycling.................................................................................................................................................16

Print Sharing.......................................................................................................................................................16

Reusable Serving Containers..............................................................................................................................16

2012 Recycling Totals.........................................................................................................................................17

How Do We Get There?..........................................................................................................................................18

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Strategic Initiatives.............................................................................................................................................18

Initiative 1 – Conduct a Comprehensive Waste Audit........................................................................................18

Significant Actions..........................................................................................................................................18

Strategic Indicators.........................................................................................................................................19

Initiative 2 – Create Zero Waste Policy...............................................................................................................19

Initiative 3 – Expand Reuse and Recycling..........................................................................................................19

Significant Actions..........................................................................................................................................19


Initiative 4 – Expand Composting.......................................................................................................................20

Strategic Actions.............................................................................................................................................20


Initiative 5 – Investigate the benefit of a Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator....................................................20

Initiative 6 – Create Consistent Messaging, Branding and Infrastructure...........................................................20


Strategic Initiatives.........................................................................................................................................21

Initiative 7 – Encourage Campus Engagement...................................................................................................21


Strategic Initiatives.........................................................................................................................................21

Education, Engagement and Behavior Change.......................................................................................................21

Opportunities and Challenges................................................................................................................................22

University Commitments................................................................................................................................22

Financial Commitments..................................................................................................................................22

Transparency in Data Reporting.....................................................................................................................23

Path to Zero Waste.................................................................................................................................................23

Increase Single Stream Recycling.......................................................................................................................23

Increase Battery Recycling..................................................................................................................................23

Increase Recycling/Reuse of Laboratory Chemicals............................................................................................24

Increase Recycling of Electronic Waste..............................................................................................................24

Increase Lighting or Spent Lamps (Bulbs) Recycling...........................................................................................24

Increase Recycling of Cell Phones.......................................................................................................................24

Increase Composting..........................................................................................................................................25

Increase Toner Cartridge and Ink Jet Recycling..................................................................................................25

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Increase Surplus Sale/Swap – X-Change.............................................................................................................25

Increase Green Purchasing/Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)........................................................26

Increase Recycling within Dining/Catering.........................................................................................................26

Further Reduce Disposables...............................................................................................................................26

Further to Reduce Junk Mail..............................................................................................................................27

Increase Participation in Community Supported Agriculture/Farmer’s Markets................................................27

Increase Ways for Paint Reuse...........................................................................................................................27

Increase Construction & Demolition Diversion...................................................................................................27

Increase Metals Recycling..................................................................................................................................27

Increase Print Sharing.........................................................................................................................................28

Increase Use of Reusable Serving Containers.....................................................................................................28

New Ideas...............................................................................................................................................................28

Event Waste Diversion.......................................................................................................................................28

Packaging Reduction..........................................................................................................................................29

Think Before You Ink – DUPLEX..........................................................................................................................29

Paperless Systems..............................................................................................................................................29

Bike (Re)cycling..................................................................................................................................................29

Create Maps Indicating Recycling & Trash Locations..........................................................................................30

Communications & Outreach.............................................................................................................................30

Orientation Sessions.......................................................................................................................................30

Lunch & Learn Sessions..................................................................................................................................30

Green Guide for Students...............................................................................................................................30

Green Office Program.....................................................................................................................................31

Applied Sustainability Research – Sustainability Scholars Roundtable...........................................................31

Draft Zero Waste Policy..........................................................................................................................................31

Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................................34

Glossary of Terms...................................................................................................................................................35

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Executive SummaryUofL President James Ramsey signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2008. The university released its Climate Action Plan in September, 2010, as a comprehensive roadmap for achieving a climate neutrality goal over the next four decades. A summary of the Plan and a link to the full document can be found on the UofL’s sustainability web site at www.louisville.edu/sustainability. Our Executive Vice President and University Provost, Shirley Willihnganz, has championed sustainability, local foods and community supported agriculture with her commitment exemplified by the Sustainability Council and the Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability initiative answering directly to her office.

This Zero Waste Strategic Plan is the first comprehensive examination of the University of Louisville’s materials and waste reduction and diversion programs representing a major step toward UofL’s leadership role as a higher education institution in the area of sustainability, not only in Kentucky, but in the southeast region and the United States. This plan will provide the basis for moving towards zero waste to landfill as a part of our sustainability efforts.

Achieving zero waste is challenging for any institution, business or municipality; but zero waste is particularly demanding for a metropolitan research university. UofL is a small city with an average daily population of 25,000 or more people consisting of administrators, faculty, staff, students and visitors. The university waste stream is extremely varied resulting from the different processes and activities that occur on the three campuses. The Health Science Center (HSC) campus presents a clinical population in addition to research related waste and materials. Proceeding to zero waste requires buy-in and participation from the whole campus community. We need to increase each material opportunity we are actively working on now, we need to try things we have not tried previously, and we must advance our data management, communication, outreach and engagement to the next level.

UofL will improve all of our initiatives, increasing recycling in the buildings and on the grounds; expanding the post-consumer composting program to all dining facilities; and continue seeking new ways to do more. We will work with our materials manager/recycling facility to assess our waste stream through a waste characterization of each campus. We will create an electronic data management system for waste and recycling data, using dashboard systems around UofL facilities to remind people we are moving toward zero waste. The university can take a number of paths to achieve zero waste, but the Sustainability Council and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee may employ strategies through pilot programs in different VP/Dean units prior to taking programming campus-wide.

http://www.louisville.edu/sustainability

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The Sustainability Council, the Operations Committee and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee will work closely with Contract Administration and Procurement Services to assess potential waste and packaging reduction opportunities with the university’s suppliers. We will also examine Request for Proposals (RFPs) and contract language to ensure that sustainability is a part of the award process and the contract to which our vendors must adhere.

The University, as a member of the Partnership for a Green City, will be a part of a Total Materials Management RFP which will seek one vendor to handle the 18 material streams that are germane to the Partnership Purchasing Consortium. The idea will be to have one vendor manage everything that leaves the buildings and grounds with the expectation of maximizing recycling and composting while minimizing waste that is landfilled. Following the EPA’s solid waste hierarchy, we will reduce, reuse and recycle and expect our materials vendor to do the same.

Education, Engagement and Behavior Change will be integral to any successful zero waste or sustainability program. We will work with the Communication and Marketing personnel in the President’s office to keep our messaging and branding fresh and consistent, constantly out in front of all audiences, and engaging to all people as we work to change our waste-based culture. The Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee will promote consistent signage, consistent containers, and develop a campus-wide communication plan to ensure everyone on campus is aware of our zero waste goal.

Following UofL’s Climate Action Plan, this Zero Waste Strategic Plan it a vital part of the larger strategic sustainability planning process that promotes sustainability initiatives in Operations; Administration, Finance and Outreach; and Education and Research. While some are unseen, there are challenges ahead as we work to propel our materials and waste management initiatives to a higher level, achieving zero waste by 2020. This plan is intended to be a guiding document that is dynamic – we will update it and revise it as we move ahead. Through thoughtful consideration and implementation of the initiatives in this plan, as well as future initiatives, UofL will improve our sustainable management practices and our stewardship of our resources (both the environment and the taxpayer’s dollars).

IntroductionThe University of Louisville has focused on Sustainability since 2004, when the university joined the Partnership for a Green City. The Board of Trustees adopted a set of environmental Principles in December 2005 that provide direction around 10 dimensions of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

As the environmental principles indicate on the next page, the University of Louisville is committed to integrating sustainability into everything we do - from how we manage our facilities, finances and people to what we teach in the classroom and what we research in the lab. Under the reduction and

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disposal of waste, it states: “We will combine resources to reduce or eliminate waste through source reduction, reuse and recycling in our own facilities and operations and for the Metro area in general. We will handle and dispose of all waste using safe and responsible methods”.

Our vision is to create a university that is itself a living laboratory for sustainability and a campus community that leads by example and educates as much by what we do as by what we say.

Our goal is to make decisions which reflect a balanced consideration for environmental, social and economic responsibility and to continually learn as we go.

Creating a more sustainable UofL is a dynamic, multi-faceted, long-term process. We've come a long way and we have a long way to go...but, yes, it's happening here.

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UofL Strategic Plan (2008 – 2020)In the University’s 2020 Plan: Making it Happen, the following statement details the commitment to sustainability. UofL will “Expand our efficiency and sustainability initiatives to achieve the highest STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.”

Sustainability Vision Integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of UofL planning and operations, focusing on the

present, as well as future implications Engage faculty, staff, students and administrators in ongoing dialogue, inquiry, and discovery of

more sustainable practices through curriculum, degree programs and scholarly research Empower faculty, staff, students and administrators with an awareness of sustainability issues

ad capacity to contribute to a greener Louisville, Kentucky, United States and world Design, build, renovate and operate a campus environment that minimizes its carbon foot-print

contributing to the goal of our Climate Action Plan to be climate neutral by 2050 Create innovative paradigms for energy, water, waste, food systems, and transportation that

contribute to best sustainability practices in higher education Undertake research initiatives, demonstration projects and outreach activities that educate our

community, improve our natural environments and enhance our cultural experiences Embrace health, diversity, tolerance and human rights as principles by which policy and process

are designed

Where Do We Want To Be?As the university realigns its priorities as a 21st Century University, there are three questions that the strategic planning groups are asking.

Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How do we get there?

Given the focus of this planning document, the questions will be taken out of the order as listed above.For our purposes and an explanation of why, we will address where do we want to be first, then assess where we are now and provide some ideas to get to the goal.

Zero-Waste GoalThe Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee believes that the University can aggressively pursue a “Zero-waste” goal by the year 2020. Noting that there are multiple recognized definitions of zero-waste, the committee believes that the three campuses can achieve a 90% waste diversion rate at a minimum, striving to achieve true zero waste with no waste going to the landfill.

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Where Are We Now?Knowing where we want to go, we first need to understand where UofL is now in the areas of recycling and waste diversion.

Current Waste Diversion ProgramIt is vital to the success of every recycling program that each member of the UofL community does their part to reduce the amount of solid waste generated on campus.

Since 1991, the UofL Physical Plant has administered many recycling activities and programs. These programs include paper, cardboard, fly ash, construction debris, refrigerant, used oil, scrap metal, and many other items. In 1995, Physical Plant and the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (DEHS) implemented a program to collect and recycle “universal wastes” which includes batteries, mercury containing devices, and lighting.

Physical Plant is also committed to reducing waste and reusing materials whenever possible. Our campus-wide programs include turning off lights in offices and bathrooms when not in use, and powering down computers and monitors after business hours. Physical Plant was also an integral part of the Belknap and HSC energy audits, a university-wide energy saving performance contract to conserve energy. Additionally, Physical Plant reuses limbs, leaves, and other materials from campus grounds for mulch. And we participate in the surplus property exchange program where campus office furniture and equipment are reused.

In 2012, the university diverted 41.3% of its total waste from landfills.

For questions about what is recyclable at UofL and how to recycle hard to manage items, please contact Greg Schetler, Physical Plant, Justin Mog, Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives, Brent Fryrear, Partnership for a Green City or for chemicals, lamps and batteries, contact Cathy Price in DEHS.

Single Stream Recycling

The Landfill Garbage Reduction Program is active at UofL. The University of Louisville is making great strides in its efforts to reduce the amount of garbage taken to the landfill. Diversion rates have historically been around 35% since UofL started recycling in the early nineties. WE CAN DO MORE.

In an effort to recycle more and reduce our impact on the environment, a two-part program has been adopted by the University to decrease garbage and increase recycling. The first part of this action plan is the new “Single Stream” recycling program. “Single Stream” recycling is the process in which all

http://louisville.edu/surplus/tracker

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recyclable items are placed in one container and are sorted off site at a recycling facility and then reused. This is a lot like the recycling program we all participate in at our homes. The second part to the program is garbage reduction. The “star” of this program is the "Mini Bin" desktop garbage can. This is a new concept that makes each individual responsible for the garbage that they generate. The quart-sized can sits atop your desk. The slogan on the "Mini Bin”, “This is all the GARBAGE I make,” is a constant reminder to recycle more and produce less garbage.

Printable list of recyclable items (pdf)

More information about plastic recycling (pdf)

Batteries

UofL has an active Battery recycling program. Types of Batteries Accepted: Alkaline, Lithium Ion (Li-ion), Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad), and Sealed Lead-Acid (Pb). Maximum weight for any single battery < 2lbs (1 kg).

Not acceptable (to put into box): Batteries >2lbs or 1kg each and liquid-filled batteries (i.e. car-type lead-acid). For pick-up of these types of batteries contact the Hazardous Waste Coordinator at 852-2956.

Chemicals

UofL has had a chemical recycling program for over a decade. Unopened and unused liquid and solid chemicals are able to be recycled or reused by other researchers or laboratories in the university. This program does not include expired chemicals or products or any other spent wastes.

Once you have determined that your lab does not need the unused, unopened chemical, inquire with others within your department to see if it can be used. If no one in your department can use the chemical, go to the DEHS web-link http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/disposal.html to submit your chemical for recycling pick up. A DEHS waste container label is not required. Be sure to scroll down to the comments section and enter “Chemical is offered for Chem Cycle Program.” DEHS will process your request and come to your location and pick up the chemical(s) you have designated for recycling (usually within 2 weeks).

http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/disposal.html%20

http://louisville.edu/physicalplant/files/Recyclingcodes.pdf

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FREE CHEMICALS: University departments can view chemical items currently in the Chem Cycle program(link http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/redistribution.html) If you see a chemical on the list you can use, e-mail the Hazardous Waste Coordinator at [email protected] and DEHS will deliver the chemical to your lab free of charge.

Electronic Scrap/Electronics Waste

UofL has had an electronic recycling program for several years. Most anything with an electrical cord is acceptable for e-cycling, including televisions, computer hard drives, monitors, keyboards, printers, lap top computers, and other audiovisual equipment. For security reasons, any department or work-related computer hard drive or lap top must be “wiped-clean” by the department Tier I prior to submitting to Surplus Property.

Determine which of the following forms must be completed for the e-scrap item(s) to be picked up. All forms are located at the U of L Inventory Control/Surplus Property web-site link at http://louisville.edu/surplus/forms

For additional information about this program, contact Physical Plant at 852-8181.

Lighting or Spent Lamps (Bulbs)

UofL has recycled lamps and ballasts for decades. Fluorescent light tubes, halogens, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) circular and u-shaped fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge (HID), mercury vapor and UV lamps should all be recycled rather than throwing them in the garbage. Incandescent bulbs may be discarded in the regular trash as they have no heavy metal or chemical gas components.

Questions or comments about this program can be directed to the U of L – Physical Plant Zone Maintenance Department at 852-8182 or Environmental Health & Safety at 852-6670.

Cell Phones

http://louisville.edu/surplus/forms

mailto:[email protected]

http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/redistribution.html

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UofL Information Technology Department participates in the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Project. Refurbished phones will be donated to victims of domestic abuse and used as a direct link to emergency services. Phones that are not refurbished will be recycled. Cell phones can be donated at the iTech Xpress Store in the basement of the Miller Information Technology Center (MITC) on Belknap Campus.

Verizon Wireless Hopeline Project

iTech Xpress Store

CompostingUofL is composting in a variety of ways. The Physical Plant Grounds Crew composts all the typical yard wastes that are generated through the care of the university grounds. Sodexo, the university’s food service contractor is also extremely active composting pre-food-service “waste” as food is prepared in the various campus eateries. At the Ville Grille, all pre and post food service “waste” is collected and composted, including items typically not thought of as compostable. Certain office buildings are also composting. At the Urban Studies Institute, the building occupants have a compost bin to create compost for the gardens behind the building. Similarly, Garden Commons composts gardening materials behind the greenhouses and Professor Brian Barnes works with student volunteers and Eco-Reps to compost materials from other buildings on the Belknap campus.

Toner Cartridge and Ink Jet RecyclingMost of the toner cartridges that are purchased at the university have return labels in order to return spent cartridges to the manufacturer or toner cartridge recycler. In 2012, 3374 toner cartridges were recycled through Clover Technologies. The university is also working through the Partnership for a Green City on a Recycling Contract for toner cartridges which are not providing a prepaid return label for recycling or the ink jet cartridge recycling.

Surplus Sale/Swap – X-ChangeSurplus furniture and office equipment is returned to Surplus for repurposing around the university within other offices.

UofL students in Group Recycling and Sustainability Solutions (GRASS) have also created the Free Store where students who do not want to keep items can donate them to be given to others who may need clothes, furniture or other dorm/personal items.

Green PurchasingUofL has an active Green Purchasing program with a Green Purchasing Policy. The policy is found at http://louisville.edu/purchasing/sustainability/greenpolicy.html

Office Supplies - 17,000 Office Supplies items offered with Recycled Content available

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26.6% of all Office Supply Products purchased by UofL Departments had a recycled content (total 8118 items).

3488 Recycled Toner Cartridges Purchased

76,700 Reams of Copy Paper (30% Recycled Content)

*Purchasing is Investigating use of re-usable totes for product deliveries instead of cardboard boxes.

UofL Stores Department

Paper Products (Towels, Tissue, Envelopes, etc.) carry a Recycle Content from 30 to 50 Percent.

Carpet from J&J and Mohawk meets Carpet and Rug Institute Indoor Air Quality Program and contains a Recycled Content.

Cleaning Chemicals and Products are Green Seal Certified.

Paint Products are Green Seal Certified Product.

Other products with a recycled content: Trash Can Liners, Trash Cans, Microfiber Mop Heads, Brooms, Buffing Pads.

Printing

All paper used (1560 cartons) in University IT Print Shop has a minimum 30% Recycled Content. A 4% decrease from 2011. All University outside contracted Print vendors are required to use a minimum 30% Recycled Content in their products.

Recycling Programs

399,778 Pounds of Office Waste Paper Products were shredded through the Shred-It contract. This represents 1998 Trees saved.

93% of all Cartridges purchased in 2011 were recycled based upon Total Cartridges purchased in 2011.

51,387 Pounds of Electronic Equipment Recycled through GES. This represents a 35% decrease from 2011.

1,683,344 Pounds Recycled through Single Stream Recycling Program.

Other

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New Construction and Major Renovation Projects are designed for LEED Certification.

Construction Firms required to recycle construction waste.

All Materials for Turf Replacement at PJCS and Patterson Baseball Stadium will be recycled or reused.

Purchases of Computer Equipment and Appliances are required to be Energy Star Compliant.

Dorm Cleaning Firms required to use Green Seal Certified Product.

All materials (Dorm Furniture and convector units) removed from dorms during Mold Remediation were recycled or given to Habitat for Humanity.

Dining/CateringSodexo promotes sustainability both on the university campus and within its larger North American Operation. Working closely with UofL, Sodexo is increasing the amount of locally sourced food. In the past year, 24.7% of food served in the university dining facilities was sourced locally, determined by farms and businesses within a 100-mile and 250-mile radius of Louisville Metro.

Sodexo is a competent partner with sustainable dining services recycling whatever is recyclable in the food preparation process. Pre-food-service waste is composted in all dining/catering facilities and the university and post-food-service waste is composted at the Ville Grille. During certain time periods throughout the year, uneaten food sent for disposal is weighed to inform students about what is being wasted.

UofL has many healthy dining opportunities with vegetarian and vegan options available across campus. We use 100% recycled content napkins at all of our dining locations on campus. We sell reusable bottles and mugs at many of our dining locations and offer discounted refills when customers use these, or their own, reusable mugs. When available, we donate left-over food to The Lord’s Kitchen and Wayside Christian Mission. We also have a donation box at our convenience store, The Nest, that allows students to purchase non-perishable foods to donate to our local food bank, Dare to Care. Once a year, Sodexo sponsors an event called Helping Hands that raises awareness about hunger and accepts student donations for our local food bank. Last year students and faculty at the university teamed-up to donate nearly 7,000 pounds of food to Dare to Care.

Serving ware in the sit-down restaurants on campus is reusable; however, the fast food franchises yield rich opportunities for increased recycling and decreased packaging.

Reduce DisposablesPurchasing and UofL Stores have transitioned a number of disposable items such as disposable coffee cups and plastic serving ware to biodegradable products. At New Employee Orientation, we promote

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people bringing in coffee mugs or reusable drinking cups or reusable water bottles if people drink coffee, tea, soda or water at their desks. Students have discussed banning disposable water bottles (which are recyclable) and have advocated taxing plastic bottles for water and sodas.

Reduce Junk MailUofL has promoted junk mail reduction – both the junk e-mail that clutters our in boxes and the traditional marketing mail that comes our way. The Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS) lets you opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from many national companies for five years. When you register with this service, your name will be put on a "delete" file and made available to direct-mail marketers and organizations. This will reduce most of your unsolicited mail. However, your registration will not stop mailings from organizations that do not use the DMA's Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA's Mail Preference Service, go to www.dmachoice.org .

Paint ReuseThe university maintains standard colors in stock to use for maintenance painting. Departments and units can choose from an unlimited color palate when having their offices painted. Most everything is purchased in 1 gallon quantities. Water-based paints with no VOC’s are always utilized when applicable. Oil based paints are only used when they are necessary usually in outdoor applications like handrails, doors, etc.

When units or departments choose odd colors that we don’t stock, this paint may be used once and never used again, sitting on the shelf in the paint shop and then either dries up or gets placed in our waste paint drum. Leftover paints can be reused by other units or departments.

Community Supported Agriculture/Farmer’s MarketsFor the past four or five years, the university has offered a CSA Fair, bringing farmers to campus to sell shares of their crops to faculty, staff and students with a season from mid-May to mid-October. In coordination with Thursday CSA drop-offs on Belknap campus, the all-local Root Cellar green grocer will be bringing its new mobile market - The Root Mobile - to campus for walk-up purchases and special deliveries in the University Club Parking Lot, Thursdays from 3:00-5:30pm mid-June through mid-August. The great-tasting, high-quality local products available will change throughout the season, but look for berries, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, onions, dairy products, grains, syrups, meats, and more! All of the compostables from The Root Cellar go to the Eco-Reps volunteer composting weekly. They also supply half of the weekly labor.

The Gray Street Farmer’s Market is open from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. every Thursday from May through October no matter what the weather. The market operates mid-May through October 31st. The Market is located on UofL's Health Sciences Center Campus on the 400 block of E. Gray Street, between Preston and Jackson streets. With 12 vendors at this year's market, you'll find the finest in

http://louisville.edu/sphis/gsfm/vendors.html

http://louisvillerootcellar.com/rootmobile/

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farm-fresh local products, including prepared lunches, fruits, vegetables, honey, baked & canned goods, oils, soaps, granola and more.

NEW in 2013, UofL added Weekly 20/20 Talks! When people attend the Farmer’s Market, they can enjoy a 20 minute mini-workshop during the market! The discussion starts at 12:20pm in Room 103 of the adjacent School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

Construction & Demolition DiversionUofL has been diverting construction and demolition debris from the landfill for over a decade. Construction or demolition materials are segregated into their component streams and recycled or items are donated to Habitat for Humanity or the Habitat Restore.

As the university has increased its LEED certified buildings, all construction and demolition projects follow LEED standards. Both the construction and renovation of facilities are undertaken while remaining committed to creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. The university wants to continually improve and reduce the institution’s overall impact on the environment.

Not only have C&D debris been diverted, on the front end, University Planning Design and Construction (UPDC) plans the buildings with reuse and recycling in mind. Recycled carpet squares, green office furniture and other environmentally conscious items are routinely used to promote reuse and recycling at the end of use.

Metals RecyclingThere has been a metal recycling dumpster that Physical Plant has maintained within the department where ferrous and non-ferrous metals are collected and recycled with the vendor that handles the single stream recycling at UofL.

Print SharingDepartments and units, and the university in general, have moved away from individual desk-top printers to shared multi-use machines that copy, print, scan, fax, and email documents. Color network printers are also shared in many units or departments. Most of these types of units can be set to duplex, or copy on both sides of the paper.

Reusable Serving Containers Campus dining services are in the final stages of planning a pilot project using reusable serving containers in certain dining facilities. Health codes at the state and national levels are in the process of being updated allowing for reusable/returnable serving containers at selected facilities. Sodexo and university personnel are working with the Louisville Metro health department to allow the use of reusable carry out serving containers in some UofL Dining Facilities. This effort is being done in parallel with other universities and health departments in Kentucky.

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Reusable coffee cups/containers are encouraged at the various coffee shops on campus for use instead of disposable cups. Water bottle filling stations are being installed on water fountains around the three campuses and reusable water bottles are encouraged rather than using the single use plastic water bottles.

2012 Recycling Totals

Increase Decrease

AluminumHigh

Grade Office Paper

Cardboard Scrap Metal Printer Cartriges

Coal Ash Glass

Re-used Items

Lamps

UofL PPD 34,632 0

DEHS 419 19,518

Rumpke

QRS 23,684 529,030 106,480 17,660

Red Barn 4,778

CDI 16,980 3,660

Purchasing 3,374

Barnes

Waste Management

UPDC 7,946 3,460TOTAL: 28,462 0 553,956 148,651 3,374 0 17,660 0 19,518

Other Paper-

Magazines Newsprint

Books

Plastic Bottles,

diskettes, etc.

Compost TiresWaste

Petroleum Products

E-Scrap

Batteries Ballasts Garbage

UofL PPD 187,500 1,880 1,853,320

DEHS 0 9,368 2,064

Rumpke 141,380 1,514,840

QRS 478,240 119,350 241,460 167,440

Red Barn

CDI 6,600 109,080

Purchasing 399,778 51,387

Barnes 6,600

Waste Management 313,900

UPDC 1,240 199,240TOTAL: 878,018 127,190 890,840 1,880 0 51,387 9,368 2,064 3,843,920

Calendar Year

Total Waste

Generated (lbs.)

Waste Generated

Total Recyclable

s (lbs.)

Percent Diverted

from Landfill

2012 6,553,396 3,843,920 2,709,476 41.3%

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2011 8,023,186 4,823,220 3,199,966 39.9%

2010 9,127,127 5,187,719 3,939,408 43.2%*

2009 9,594,815 5,299,280 4,295,535 44.8%

20088,011,387 4,461,220 3,550,167 44.3%

20076,796,580 4,653,180 2,143,400 31.5%

20066,180,709 4,371,380 1,809,329 29.3%

20055,841,672 4,005,444 1,836,228 31.4%

How Do We Get There?A number of strategic initiatives and new ideas will assist in decreasing the waste sent to the landfill while increasing reduction, reuse and recycling at UofL.

Strategic InitiativesThis document is not intended to serve as a step-by-step road-map toward zero waste, instead, this plan serves as a guide that steers UofL in the direction of a 90% waste diversion or zero waste. The strategic initiatives will change as the university through its faculty, staff and students achieves the goals set with respect to each strategic initiative. As the timeline progresses toward zero waste, this document will be updated with action items of a more tactical nature. The following broad initiatives have been identified by the Phase II Solid Waste Reduction committee supporting the commitment to working toward a zero waste university.

Initiative 1 – Conduct a Comprehensive Waste AuditFor the University of Louisville to fully develop and implement programs and policies directed at achieving zero waste, a comprehensive waste audit should be conducted, if possible using the recycling and waste vendors as participants. This waste audit would be a structured and formal process to quantify the types and amounts of waste being generated on the different campuses of UofL.

Waste Audit objectives will be:

1. to determine the baseline waste composition and quantify the various material streams in both the garbage dumpsters and the single stream recycling dumpsters

2. to gauge the effectiveness of the campus community’s single stream recycling and waste management habits

3. to identify opportunities to improve single stream recycling, waste management systems and possible behavior change strategies

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When completed, UofL will have an influential set of baseline data that will inform plan direction and enhancements to waste reduction on all three campuses. This waste audit is a high priority relating to other sustainability initiatives concerned with achieving zero waste.

Significant Actions1. Obtain approval to conduct the waste audit2. Designate a team to plan and assist with implementation3. Conduct separate waste audits at all three campuses4. Produce an audit report for each set of dumpsters and associated buildings5. Create a comprehensive audit report6. Develop a more detailed reduction plan based on the results

Strategic Indicators1. Completion of the three waste audits2. Findings reviewed by Phase I Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee3. Waste Audit Findings will be published to the University4. Step-by-step plan developed

Initiative 2 – Create Zero Waste Policy It is important to have the administrative commitment and the policy to back up the commitment to move toward zero waste, energy efficiency, sustainability; whatever are the values or priorities of the university.

A draft policy is included at the end of this plan for discussion and ultimately, administrative approval and implementation.

Initiative 3 – Expand Reuse and Recycling UofL will continue expanding recycling efforts. While the current single-stream recycling program is effective, it can still be improved. The sustainability groups can work to create a renewed commitment to recycling efforts as a part of the zero waste agenda. This will include additional strategies to maximize the benefits of recycling and zero waste. Results from the waste audit will provide data that will allow for focused improvements and guide decisions designed to improve the overall campus diversion rate.

Significant Actions1. Add materials collected as markets become available (polystyrene foam, for example)2. Survey the recycling locations on all three campuses and ensure adequate opportunities are

available3. Create more recycling opportunities at special events on campus or at athletic facilities (at

commencement, athletic events, and meetings)4. Develop strategic relationships with local reuse/recycling entities

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5. Engage UPDC to write a C&D Debris waste plan6. Develop a marketing and communication plan to support efforts.

Strategic Indicators1. New recycling streams will be collected2. New recycling containers will be added if necessary3. Recycling containers will be available at all athletic events and special events on campus4. Revenues for recyclables will increase5. A C&D debris reduction plan will be developed and managed6. A marketing and communications plan with educational materials will be developed and

promoted

Initiative 4 – Expand CompostingUofL will expand composting efforts to the extent that is possible. In order to get the maximum benefit from this valuable resource, UofL will develop programs to ensure that as much compostable material as possible is being removed from the “waste” stream at all three campuses. Not only does this increase the diversion rate, but the use of compost in the landscaping serves to improve the overall sustainability efforts of the university.

Strategic Actions1. Increase pre-consumer food waste collection throughout all dining facilities2. Increase post-consumer food waste collection at dining facilities3. Collaborate with Sodexo to increase compostable products line4. Develop communications and marketing materials and plan to promote composting5. Promote volunteer composting through Eco-Reps as a way to educate the campus community

about the entire composting process

Strategic Indicators1. All pre-consumer food waste generated on all three campuses will be composted2. All post-consumer food waste generated on all three campuses will be composted3. Compostable products will be purchased by Sodexo, eliminating polystyrene foam containers4. Communications and marketing plan will developed and promoted5. Track increase in volunteer composting through Eco-Reps

Initiative 5 – Investigate the benefit of a Solid Waste/Recycling CoordinatorUofL will conduct research on universities leading the efforts in zero waste planning and programs and evaluate the benefits of a Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator. Conduct research solid waste or recycling coordinators at other colleges and universities that do not have a zero waste goal. It is relatively intuitive that having someone dedicated to focus on solid waste reduction and recycling should increase the possibility of reaching the zero waste goal.

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According to UCLA’s 2012 Zero Waste Plan, the university hired a full-time recycling coordinator in 2008 and has experienced a steady increase in the institution’s diversion rate in addition to a decrease in landfill waste and overall non-construction related waste (UCLA Zero Waste Plan, p.6).

Initiative 6 – Create Consistent Messaging, Branding and InfrastructureUofL will review the current messaging, branding and recycling/garbage infrastructure (collection containers and collection points) around all three campuses. Inconsistent messaging, branding and infrastructure can cause confusion and lead to recyclables going into the trash and trash going into the recycling.

Strategic Actions1. Assess the different messaging and branding of recycling and discardable items2. Assess the recycling & garbage infrastructure on all three campuses and record all the different

types of containers

Strategic Initiatives1. All messaging and branding of recycling and garbage is consistent2. All the recycling & garbage infrastructure on all three campuses is consistent

Initiative 7 – Encourage Campus EngagementUofL will encourage support through education, outreach and campus community engagement. These areas of focus are critical to achieving the new diversion rate goals. The continuous development of new waste reduction and diversion programs will ensure participation in the zero waste commitment as Sustain Louisville strives to lead Metro Louisville toward a zero waste goal.

Strategic Actions1. Develop tracking process and ways to track sustainability data regarding waste and report

results to the campus community and Louisville Metro.2. Identify policies that need to be changed or developed to support zero waste 3. Develop a comprehensive education and outreach plan to engage administrators, faculty, staff,

and students4. Develop a green events plan for the campus community to include pilot zero waste events 5. Encourage paperless offices as technologies advance and become available 6. Promote the Eco-Reps organization as a way to get involved in sustainability and education

efforts surrounding waste or materials at UofL

Strategic Initiatives1. Better tracking and reporting mechanisms will be in place regarding materials discarded2. Policies will be developed or changed to support zero waste3. The campus community will be actively engaged and involved in zero waste efforts4. Green events plan will be developed and implemented campus-wide

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5. Paperless office will be achieved

Education, Engagement and Behavior ChangeThe University of Louisville continues to build a sustainable community in which all community members are educated in these sustainability principles. Sustainable practices also extend outside the campus via community outreach efforts where sustainability initiatives and outreach efforts are communicated. Numerous workshops are offered annually on topics ranging from sustainability, renewable energy, energy efficiency to green jobs and a green economy.

UofL students blend into the community and provide leadership in the local sustainability movement. As students are educated, they take their sustainability knowledge to their family, friends, roommates, and hometowns. They are educated as leaders of tomorrow. Faculty, staff and administrators serve in the Louisville Community, frequently speaking on sustainability and collaborating with other sustainability groups in the City and surrounding area. The sustainability website www.louisville.edu/sustainability is a resource listing for green events, sustainability initiatives and collaborations, video resources and stories. As an educational institution, we want to share how sustainability improved the university and how it can benefit others in the community as we strive to make Louisville a green city.

Behavior change is an important part of sustainability. Awareness and education is a single part, but we must ask people to change their behavior to be more sustainable at work, school and home. Behavior change does not have to be revolutionary, it can start with one or two things and additional behavior change can continue incrementally. With respect to zero waste, anyone can change behavior, like recycling, considering packaging, buying in bulk, not using disposable products or similar behaviors.

Opportunities and Challenges

University CommitmentsUofL’s administration has made commitments to sustainability in multiple ways. There has been a commitment to the Partnership for a Green City as one of the founding partners in 2004. A position was created as the Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives in 2009, setting the stage for achieving sustainability goals and objectives. The Sustainability Council was created patterned after the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) format with Operations; Administration, Finance & Outreach; and Education and Research committees working to weave sustainability into the very fabric of the university. Opportunities abound as the university continues working toward the zero waste goal by 2020. As this proceeds, appropriate Sustainability Council members, committees, and stakeholders will be identified to collaborate in an effort to maximize expertise when allocating

http://www.louisville.edu/sustainability

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resources to the zero waste initiative. While there are no enforcement rules or penalties with the goals surrounding zero waste and the 2020 goal, it will become the responsibility of the whole Cardinal community to engage and ensure that the interim and final goals are appropriately managed and completed.

Financial CommitmentsFinancial resources available to UofL have been stressed with a decreasing state appropriation and an economic malaise with the U.S. economy. The university has endured 13 budget cuts in 12 years. Because of this, administrators have taken great care in allocating funds to processes most important to the university as a system. This is a further illustration of the university’s commitment to sustainability and the zero waste 2020 goal. As UofL accomplishes the tasks of the zero waste process, the financial benefits will be evaluated each step of the way. Zero waste strategies have been adopted by a relatively few colleges and universities, but by a wider group of industries and municipalities. These goals resulted in increased profits or fiscal responsibility resulting from cost savings, improved environmental performance, and stronger local economies. Zero waste initiatives support all dimensions of sustainability: a healthy environment, a healthy society, and a healthy economy.

Transparency in Data ReportingSimilar to sustainability, zero waste is an ambiguous term and a leap ahead of current campus processes. The interdisciplinary involvement throughout the university is integral to the success that UofL will track. Data collection will be managed by Physical Plant and the Office of Sustainability and made available to faculty and students for education and research. Through the transparency of the sustainability initiatives, including zero waste 2020, UofL will further educate our campus community and Louisville Metro.

Path to Zero WasteThe path to zero waste includes improvements on the ways we handle our materials, our purchasing and our discards. Suggested ways to improve the ways UofL administrators, faculty staff and students are doing things or new ways to decrease waste disposal are included in the following sections.

Increase Single Stream Recycling UofL should create a campaign to increase single stream recycling on campus, detailing the benefits of recycling and moving the university toward zero waste. UofL administrators, faculty and staff have a stake in managing their discards since they work here and want to keep their space clean. Students paying tuition may have another perspective (or be apathetic) about where they discard their garbage or recyclables. We need to create a sustainable mindset in our students so they take that out in the world after graduation as they enter the workforce and become community leaders here, in Kentucky, the nation and abroad. There is no reason that we cannot increase our recycling rate to 100% of recyclables.

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Increase Battery RecyclingMarket and communicate battery recycling across campus – possibly finding locations that would be good for drop off locations in high use buildings. Five-gallon buckets with the battery recycling messages could be strategically placed for use by administrators, faculty, staff and students. Consistent branding and messaging on the containers would specify what batteries are acceptable and those that are not. Green Tips should remind people to recycle both rechargeable and dry cell (single use) batteries. We should strive to recycle 100% of our batteries.

UofL should also provide instructions on the recycling of the liquid filled batteries that are not acceptable in the battery recycling containers.

Increase Recycling/Reuse of Laboratory ChemicalsMarket and communicate the Chem Cycle Program to all UofL Faculty, Staff and Students in the research and teaching labs in an effort to increase the recycling and reuse of lab chemicals. Promote FREE CHEMICALS! University departments can view chemical items currently in the Chem Cycle program(link http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/redistribution.html) If you see a chemical on the list you can use, e-mail the Hazardous Waste Coordinator at [email protected] and DEHS will deliver the chemical to your lab free of charge. This is an excellent service that is underutilized. If we could recycle 50 – 75% of our unused chemicals over the next five years with a goal of recycling 100% of unused chemicals by the year 2020, we would be a leading university with respect to chemical reuse and redistribution.

A part of this program would also educate those purchasing in the labs to purchase only what is needed. Sales people can offer great deals on multiple chemical containers, but how much of a deal is it if you are not able to use it?

Increase Recycling of Electronic WasteUofL should remind Tier I’s and Unit Business Managers, as well as the rest of the campus community, of the need to recycle used electronic equipment. The university should capture 100% of the electronics stream for electronics recycling.

Increase Lighting or Spent Lamps (Bulbs) RecyclingUofL has recycled lamps and ballasts for decades. Fluorescent light tubes, halogens, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) circular and u-shaped fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge (HID), mercury vapor and UV lamps should all be recycled rather than throwing them in the garbage. Incandescent bulbs may be discarded in the regular trash as they have no heavy metal or chemical gas components. We should be able to recycle 100% of our spent fluorescent tubes and CFLs.

mailto:[email protected]

http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/redistribution.html

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IMPORTANT: Broken lamps should be immediately contained (i.e. in a closed box or bag) and separated from unbroken lamps. A pick up request should be submitted to the Environmental Health & Safety’s Hazardous Waste Coordinator on-line form at http://louisville.edu/dehs/waste/disposal.

Questions or comments about this program can be directed to the U of L – Physical Plant Zone Maintenance Department at 852-8182 or Environmental Health & Safety at 852-6670.

Increase Recycling of Cell PhonesIf UofL employees or students are not trading in their cell phones when updating their mobile technology, they should donate their old technology items to the UofL IT Department.

The Verizon Wireless Hopeline Project refurbishes phones will be donated to victims of domestic abuse for use as a direct link to emergency services. Phones that are not refurbished will be recycled. Cell phones can be donated at the iTech Xpress Store in the basement of the Miller Information Technology Center (MITC) on Belknap Campus. We can increase the amount of cell phones recycled and help someone who needs security with a usable cell phone. People on the HSC and Shelbyhurst Campuses can collect phones and make arrangements with the Sustainability personnel or IT personnel to get the phones to MITC.

Increase CompostingUofL is composting in a variety of ways. The Physical Plant Grounds Crew composts all the typical yard wastes that are generated through the care of the university grounds. Sodexo, the university’s food service contractor is also extremely active composting pre-food-service “waste” as food is prepared in the various campus eateries. At the Ville Grille, all pre and post food service “waste” is collected and composted, including items typically not thought of as compostable. Certain office buildings are also composting. At the Urban Studies Institute, the building occupants have a compost bin to create compost for the gardens behind the building. Similarly, Garden Commons composts gardening materials behind the greenhouses and Professor Brian Barnes works with student volunteers and Eco-Reps to compost materials from other buildings on the Belknap campus.

The goal for composting should be 100%, but capturing food waste in buildings other than the food service areas could prove difficult. Once we know what our waste stream is, we can better estimate the compostables, with the desire to compost as close to 100% as possible.

Increase Toner Cartridge and Ink Jet RecyclingMost of the toner cartridges that are purchased at the university have return labels in order to return spent cartridges to the manufacturer or toner cartridge recycler. In 2012, 3374 toner cartridges were recycled through Clover Technologies. The university is also working through the Partnership for a Green City on a Recycling Contract for toner cartridges which are not providing a prepaid return label for recycling or the ink jet cartridge recycling. We should be recycling 100% of our cartridges and ink jets.

http://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/commitment/community_programs/hopeline/

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Increase Surplus Sale/Swap – X-ChangeSurplus furniture and office equipment is returned to Surplus for repurposing around the university within other offices. The goal should be to surplus 100% of usable office furniture, equipment and other items to divert this from the landfill.

Some universities, including UofL, have a Craig’s List type service that advertises surplus property free of charge. The old adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure holds true. Rather than create greenhouse gas emissions twice by moving something to surplus, advertise what is available on line and move it once to the department that wants it. It would advertise everything from small items like chairs or lamps up to desks, filing cabinets and electronic equipment. Save money and pollution by repurposing instead of buying new items.

Students, University Housing and the Sustainability Council should engage everyone on campus who may have something that would benefit the Free Store. The goal here would be to divert 100% of student waste as they move in and move out of the university housing.

Increase Green Purchasing/Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)UofL has an active Green Purchasing program with a Green Purchasing Policy. The policy is found at http://louisville.edu/purchasing/sustainability/greenpolicy.html

The Sustainability Council and the Operations Committee should work with Contracts Administration and Procurement Services to focus on green purchasing or environmentally preferable purchasing considering the environment, as well as the economic stewardship of a public university, when purchasing goods and services for UofL. The Environmental Protection Agency touts EPP on its web site at http://www.epa.gov/epp/ . The site provides useful information on how to expand EPP options at all types of organizations.

Increase Recycling within Dining/CateringThe University and Sodexo do an admirable job in the recycling operations on the kitchen side. The student side, however, could be improved. In the dining areas, if we want to promote recycling, the largest containers for discarding meal wastes should be recycling containers, with composting containers available for food waste disposal. The majority of the fast food options include paper waste, pressed cardstock containers or corrugated cardboard. Students will do the right thing if they are made more aware of their options or directed toward recycling instead of throwing things in the trash.

The Sustainability Council and the Operations Committee should work to create an atmosphere in the dining areas where recycling is the expectation. Consistent containers are important as well as hanging posters about what is recyclable, what is compostable and what is actually trash.

http://www.epa.gov/epp/

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An admirable goal in dining would be to have 75 – 80 % of the dining waste stream recycled by 2016 with 100% recycled by 2020.

Further Reduce DisposablesIncrease the marketing and communication promoting people bringing in coffee mugs or reusable drinking cups or reusable water bottles if people drink coffee, tea, soda or water at their desks. Find partners like the Louisville Water Company that may be able to provide reusable water bottles and work with dining facilities to provide incentives for using your own reusable drinking mug or cup.

Work with Purchasing and Central Stores to decrease the disposable materials available for order.

Further to Reduce Junk MailContinue promoting the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS) for employees to opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail at work from many national companies for five years. However, registration will not stop mailings from organizations that do not use the DMA's Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA's Mail Preference Service, go to www.dmachoice.org . Otherwise, contact the organization to stop mailings and remember to recycle the junk mail that is received, including catalogs.

Increase Participation in Community Supported Agriculture/Farmer’s MarketsThe local food options, Farmer’s Markets and CSAs available at UofL are of interest to a number of Faculty, Staff, Students and Administrators. The Root Mobile coming to campus has intrigued students and employees on the north end of campus. As the campus community population increases with much housing having kitchens, we should be working with University Housing to promote CSAs and Farmer’s Markets. Green Events with local food including farmers, vendors and chefs could extol the benefits of buying local – both the health of those who eat it and the local and regional economy where we buy it.

Increase Ways for Paint ReusePaint use could be addressed (and is addressed by some Universities) by limiting the color choices to 15 - 20 stock colors for customers to choose from. If it is not in those 15 - 20, you cannot choose it. That way the inventory is kept low and we don’t have paint to dispose of. This would also allow paint to be purchased in bulk rather than in quart or gallon containers. The majority of paint could be purchased in 5-gallon buckets and possibly larger totes or drums.

Another way to approach this would be to allow people to purchase the paint in the off specified colors (in quarts or gallons) with the caveat that the paint crew will continue painting until the paint is used up. This will result in additional labor charges, but that is the “cost” of going against the limited color palate.

http://www.dmachoice.org/

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Increase Construction & Demolition DiversionThe Sustainability Council and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee should work with the Operations Committee and University Planning, Design, and Construction (UPDC) to ensure we are diverting 100% of our C&D waste from the landfill.

Increase Metals RecyclingThe Sustainability Council and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee should work with the Operations Committee, Physical Plant and UPDC to ensure we are diverting 100% of our recyclable metals from the landfill.

Increase Print SharingThe Sustainability Council and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee should work with Information Technology and the Tier I’s across the university to increase print sharing with Xerox copier, printers and scanners and discourage desktop printers. Exceptions could be made for areas where confidentiality is paramount such as Legal Counsel or other such units.

As a budget cutting idea, the idea was raised to “tax” individual printers and print supplies in an effort to dissuade their use. Not only do they tend to allow people to waste paper, they are also left on all the time, leading to an increased waste of energy. Personal printers also rarely allow for duplexing, which is not the preferable setting.

Numerous colleges and universities across the country have simply outlawed desk-top printers and networked all employees to the print-shared network multiplex units. That would be the most sustainable way for the university to go.

Increase Use of Reusable Serving Containers Reusable coffee cups/containers are encouraged at the various coffee shops on campus for use instead of disposable cups. Water bottle filling stations are being installed on water fountains around the three campuses and reusable water bottles are encouraged rather than using the single use plastic water bottles.

New IdeasWhile UofL has ventured into a number of areas with respect to zero waste, there are a number of areas where we could still improve. The following ideas may provide additional initiatives to further our zero waste goals.

Event Waste DiversionOne thing that UofL has not gone past the investigation phase in is green events on campus or at athletics events. A group or two could be tasked with planning Green Meetings, Green Receptions and Conferences, Green Commencement, Other Green Student events and Green Athletic events at all

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UofL Athletic facilities including Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and the KFC YUM! Center. The goal should be to have 100% zero waste events at all university functions.

Many universities promote Green Game Days as a way to promote their sustainability initiatives to a broader portion of the community that may not frequent other areas of campus. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the Atlantic Coast Conference is a leader among this movement. As UofL transitions to the ACC, the inclusion of Athletics in sustainability initiatives should be an essential effort.

Packaging ReductionThe Sustainability Council and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee should work with the Operations Committee and Contract Administration and Procurement services to figure out ways to decrease the packaging waste we see at UofL. One instance could be paper. When we purchase a carton of paper, we receive 10 reams of paper (500 sheets) wrapped in paper. Our question is why wrap the paper at all? Why not just place 2500 sheets in a returnable cardboard or plastic box?

Why are materials and supplies shipped into the university in cardboard boxes that are then thrown away or recycled? Why not require our vendors to use returnable shipping containers similar to the ones used by the major big box stores?

With a sizable purchasing consortium through the Partnership for a Green City, we should be able to procure things the way we desire, minimizing packaging waste and rethinking the way to order. This is source reduction in a pure sense, minimizing waste at the source so there is nothing to discard.

Think Before You Ink – DUPLEXA number of universities have similar programs to this where all university printing is set to default by duplexing copies (copying on both sides of the paper). The Sustainability Council and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee should work with Information Technology and the Tier I’s across the university to increase default duplexing on Xerox copier, printers and scanners as well as other network copiers. This could make a huge dent in the amount of paper purchased and used in offices.

Paperless SystemsBesides copying on both sides of the paper, why do some things need to be printed at all? UofL has electronic course directories, course catalogs, course schedules and the like all available on line. For the past 5 – 10 years, employee W-2 forms have been available on line. The President and Provost’s offices have moved to paperless invitations, saving printing and mailing costs. What else can UofL make electronically available instead of printing it? It would be an excellent opportunity for the Administration, Finance and Outreach Committee to work with the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste

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Reduction Committee to examine paperless opportunities at UofL and make recommendations on how to proceed.

Bike (Re)cyclingEach year a number of bicycles are abandoned on campus and collected by Parking and the Sustainability Office. Some of the bikes have been placed into the Bike Sharing program at UofL. Others can only be used for parts. It would be interesting to see what student and employee interest would be if we took the bikes that are “parts only” models and made them available to a limited number of people chosen by a lottery (if we received great response). If it was successful, it could be an annual event where interested participants could get free bicycle parts or bikes for repair. UCLA has a similar program in which over 300 people showed up, hoping to be one of the 80 people who would ultimately leave with a bike or bike parts. This is a way to divert 100% of the bikes left behind between Bike Sharing and Bike (Re)cycling.

Create Maps Indicating Recycling & Trash LocationsThe suggestion was made at one of the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee that the university create maps that indicate what can be deposited where to be recycled or ultimately disposed of as trash. People may not notice the difference between a trash dumpster and a recycling dumpster. People may not know where to place spent fluorescent bulbs or CFLs, rechargeable batteries or alkaline batteries. Why not work with the Computer Engineering students to see who can create the best App? The saying goes, there’s an app for that!

Communications & OutreachThere are multiple opportunities for meeting Administrators, Faculty, Staff and Students to promote our zero waste goal and its benefits.

Orientation SessionsAs new people at all levels join the university, we should meet them and discuss our sustainability values and norms with them. We are doing this with New Employee Orientation, but could improve the way we meet our new Faculty and Students. Our goal would be to be on the agenda of each and every orientation session at UofL to discuss our commitment to sustainability and our goal for zero waste by 2020.

Lunch & Learn SessionsUofL Professional Development offered through Human Resources provides a robust professional development catalog for continuing education of employees at all levels. A possible more informal way to meet people where they are is to take the show on the road with a 20 or 30-minute lunch & learn on a variety of sustainability topics. Chief among them could be Zero Waste 2020; Composting 101; Single Stream Recycling 101; What Phantom Load is Wasting Energy in Your Office?; Climate Instability 101 and Adaptation, Combating the Urban Heat Island Effect; and many more. With the

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Sustainability Office and Council, Eco-Reps, Partnership for a Green City, we could accomplish a great deal of sustainability education without overburdening one or two people.

Green Guide for StudentsThe Sustainability Council or one of its committees may examine the need for a Green Guide for all UofL students. Maybe it is an online guide or a smart phone app that covers all aspects of sustainability including recycling, composting and what exactly is trash. Maybe a student interested in sustainability could work with one of the sustainability initiatives as an intern to complete the green guide as a part of an undergraduate or graduate course. This would be a nice way to make students aware of sustainability norms and expectations at UofL.

Green Office ProgramThe Sustainability Council or one of its committees may examine the need for a Green Office Program for all UofL Administrators, Faculty and Staff. This ideally on line guide would promote the virtues of operating offices in a more sustainable manner. The group could seek out other green office programs in businesses and universities across the country and with a group like Eco-Reps, there may be people available to “certify” green offices, recognizing units or departments that adopt sustainability tenets and live by them.

Applied Sustainability Research – Sustainability Scholars RoundtableA number of faculty and students are working on sustainability-related research. Professor Tony Arnold is working to capture the various facets in the Sustainability. Whether it is zero waste or another sustainability initiative, how can we increase the applied research in sustainability? How can we best coordinate research opportunities that could benefit the university’s goals and sustainability efforts while also benefiting student needs and the community? Maybe the Education & Research Committee of the Sustainability Council can brainstorm this more to see if there is a way to increase both course work and research in sustainability.

Draft Zero Waste Policy

Zero Waste Policy – A Sustainability Policy

Subject: Waste Reduction and Recycling

Responsible for Review of this Policy: Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives, The Sustainability Council, the Operations Committee and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee

Related University Policies: Talloires Declaration, American College & University President’s Climate Commitment, Green Purchasing Policy and Climate Action Plan

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Scope

This policy applies to all University campuses and departments.

I. Policy StatementConsistent with the University of Louisville’s goal to “Expand our efficiency and sustainability initiatives to achieve the highest STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education” and to facilitate implementation of our existing sustainability policies, the purpose of this policy is to protect and restore our environment by managing material flows through the university and manage waste/recycling processes that: improve energy, water and material efficiency; utilize renewable materials; enable the university to attain carbon-neutrality as detailed in the Climate Action Plan or net positive renewable energy production; eliminate waste, especially hazardous materials; enhance the physical campus environment on all three campuses; and protect and enhance the health of the university community.

II. DefinitionsConstruction and Demolition (C&D) Debris – C&D debris include, at a minimum: building components and structures (wall studs, insulation, doors, windows), panels, attached finishes (drywall, trim, ceiling panels), carpet and other flooring materials, adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings. Not included in this definition are furniture, fixtures and equipment, mechanical, electrical or plumbing components, or specialty items such as elevators.

Durable Goods – Durable goods include, but are not limited to: office equipment (computers, monitors, copiers, printers, facsimile [fax] machines); appliances (refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, ice machines, water coolers, coffee machines); external power adapters, televisions and other audiovisual equipment.

Source Reduction – Source reduction reduces the amount of unnecessary material brought to campus, for example: disposable products (like polystyrene foam cups and serving containers, plastic utensils, plastic cups, etc.), excess product packaging such as plastic or paper wrap, cardboard shipping containers, or single-use water bottles.

US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental (LEED) Standard – is a Washington, D.C. based non-profit organization committed to promoting cost-efficient and energy saving green buildings through the LEED green building certification program. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for buildings designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance, addressing all building

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types, and emphasizing state-of-the-art strategies in: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Waste: is comprised by all materials that flow from each campus to final disposal. Examples include paper, yard waste, food scraps, plastics, metals and the like. In LEED, waste refers to all materials that are capable of being diverted from campus buildings’ waste stream through waste reduction.

Waste Diversion: is a management activity that disposes of waste other than through incineration or landfilling. Examples include reuse and recycling.

Waste Reduction: includes source reduction and waste reduction through reuse and recycling.

III. PolicyUofL will conduct and contract waste management to be consistent (at a minimum) with the requirements of the USGBC LEED Standards , as summarized below; and shall strive for zero waste sent to landfills in or around Louisville Metro.

By June 30, 2014, the Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives and the Sustainability Council, in collaboration with the Vice President of Business Affairs, Procurement and Contract Services, along with the Phase II Recycling /Solid Waste Reduction Committee, shall develop a plan for achieving zero waste by 2020 , including interim benchmarks for:

Reducing waste at the source Increasing recycling rates Diverting waste toward reuse and composting Other waste reduction strategies as they are identified

The zero waste plan shall require an annual waste stream audit; designate staff responsible for implementing the plan; describe tracking and review procedures for monitoring the plan; and include deadlines for achieving the following goals:

1. Reuse, recycle or compost 50% of ongoing consumables (by weight or volume)2. Reuse, recycle or compost 75% of ongoing consumables (by weight or volume)3. Reuse, recycle or compost 100% of ongoing consumables (by weight or volume)4. Reuse or recycle 75% of durable goods waste stream (by weight, volume or replacement

value)5. Reuse or recycle 100% of durable goods waste stream (by weight, volume or

replacement value)6. Divert 70% of construction & demolition debris (by volume) from landfill

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7. Divert 100% of construction & demolition debris (by volume) from landfill8. Recycle 100% of mercury containing lamps9. Divert 80% of discarded batteries from trash, including single-use and or rechargeable

batteries used in radios, phones, cameras, computers and other dry-cell types of batteries

10. Divert 100% of discarded batteries from trash, including single-use and or rechargeable batteries used in radios, phones, cameras, computers and other dry-cell types of batteries

11. Anything missing??

IV. Frequency of Review and UpdateAny party affected by this policy may initiate a review and update at any time. The Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives and the Sustainability Council will initiate a review and update not more than three years from the effective date, or date of the last review or update, whichever is most recent.

ConclusionFollowing the UofL Climate Action Plan, this Zero Waste Plan further refines the larger sustainability strategic planning process that examines sustainability initiatives in operations; administration, finance and outreach; and education and research. The plan is projected to be a guiding document that the Sustainability Council, the Operations Committee and the Phase II Recycling/Solid Waste Reduction Committee will update as the UofL community moves toward our zero waste goal.

We will face challenges as we move forward elevating how we address waste to new levels of awareness and action. We are committed to transforming UofL into a zero waste campus by implementing the ideas presented in this plan and consistently seeking new and innovative ways to do more. This falls in line with our other sustainability initiatives and policies that are transforming UofL into the leading university in Kentucky and the region. Each action we undertake will make us more sustainable and better stewards of our environmental and financial resources.

The University of Louisville will continue to foster collaborative sustainability initiatives with other local, regional and state stakeholders to fight climate instability, share our knowledge and mentor other organizations on how to plan for zero waste, and make our region more resilient

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Glossary of Terms

Composting – is the biological decomposition of organic materials such as grass clippings, leaves, brush and food waste into a soil amendment. Composting is a form of recycling.

Electronic Waste – is also known as E-waste and is the term applied to business and consumer electronic equipment (most anything with a cord and plug) near or at the end of its useful life. Like sustainability and zero waste, there is not one dominant definition for e-waste. It encompasses items such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions, radios, stereo equipment, video cassette players/recorders, compact disk players/recorders, calculators, some appliances, digital video players/recorders, telephones, answering machines, video gaming systems, etc. For residents seeking to e-cycle items from home, MetroCall is 311 and will gladly answer your questions.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing – is an up and coming term that refers to purchasing actions that reduce waste at the front end of the purchasing process. Examples are buying goods with less packaging or buying in bulk (or concentrate form), choosing products that will last longer and avoiding single-use or disposable products. It can also include requiring reusable containers, purchasing paper reams without paper wrapping, green purchasing policies, contract language and sustainability requirements for vendors, etc. It may also limit choices to products with post-consumer recycled content or a limited inventory of pre-approved products.

Grasscycling – is the practice of leaving clippings on the lawn while mowing rather than collecting them. Grass clippings may also be composted as defined above.

Green Building – is the practice of constructing or renovating buildings that are designed, built, operated or reused in an ecologically and resource efficient manner. Green buildings minimize impacts to the environment, protect health and enhance productivity of occupants and use energy, water and other resources efficiently. Green building includes salvaging building materials from building deconstruction or demolition for reuse in new buildings and for recycling.

Integrated Waste Management – is the practice of managing discardable items or “waste” by multiple techniques to achieve solid waste reduction goals. The techniques may include waste reduction, reuse recycling, and composting.

Medical Waste – is waste that is produced or created as the result of clinical diagnosis or treatment, as well as clinical research activities including both humans and animals. The waste should be designated as Biohazardous waste and/or sharps waste including syringes, needles and other sharp items.

Mercury – is a toxic liquid metal that can cause nervous system damage anad birth defects. Liquid mercury that is exposed to the ambient atmosphere evaporates at room temperature. If mercury is released or spilled, it contaminates the air we breathe and may enter streams, rivers or the oceans contaminating fish and invertebrates that people eat.

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Pollution Prevention (P2) – prevents all types of pollution to the land, air and water, and includes toxic materials and solid waste.

Post-consumer Content – includes any product which has served its intended purpose with a business or a consumer and has been discarded and subsequently recycled for use as a constituent in a new product.

Precycling – is an up and coming term that refers to actions like environmentally preferable purchasing decision that reduce waste at the front end of the process. Examples are buying goods with less packaging or buying in bulk (or concentrate form), choosing products that will last longer and avoiding single-use or disposable products.

Recycling – is using a “waste” or pre-used material to manufacture a new product. Recycling is not waste prevention because only waste can be recycled. If you are recycling, you have already created a waste. With recycling, materials are collected, transported, cleaned and sorted, transformed and then remanufactured into a product. Think of recycling a soda can back into a new soda can, or corrugated cardboard into new cardboard. In order to complete the cycle or follow the chasing arrows, not only should people recycle, but make a concerted effort to purchase goods made with post-consumer recycled content.

Reuse – is using an object or a material again, either for its original purpose or for a similar purpose, without significantly alteraing the physical form of the object or material. Reuse is preferred to recycling because reuse generally consumes less energy and resources than recycling.

Solid Waste – is referred to by most people as garbage, trash or refuse. It may be generated in residential settings as well as commercial and industrial operations. It does not include materials from domestic sewage.

Source Reduction – is a part of the planning process on the front end that includes, but is not limited to, reducing the use of non-recyclable materials, replacing disposable materials and products with reusable materials and products, reducing packaging, reducing the amount of yard waste generated, incentivizing decreased waste disposal (pay-as-you-throw) and increasing the efficiency of the use of paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic and other materials.

USEPA defined source reduction as “the design, manufacture, purchase or use of materials (including packages) to reduce their amount or toxicity before they enter the municipal solid waste stream. Because it is intended to reduce pollution and conserve resources, source reduction should not increase the net amount or toxicity of wastes generated throughout the life of a product.

Sustainability – is most commonly defined by the Bruntland Committsion’s definition “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. ( Our Common Future: The World Commission on Environment and Development, Brundtland, G (1987), Oxford: Oxford University Press.)

Universal waste – the term was coined by USEPA to describe wastes that seemed to be universal in scope. They are seemingly found everywhere. They include all types of batteries (except automotive batteries) fluorescent tubes and other lamps, thermostats which contain mercury, and pesticides. Additional information from Kentucky can be found at: http://waste.ky.gov/RLA/Documents/Fact%20Sheets/Universalwastefactsheet.pdf

http://waste.ky.gov/RLA/Documents/Fact%20Sheets/Universalwastefactsheet.pdf

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Waste – is defined as a material for which no use or reuse is intended.